8 benefits of supporting breastfeeding in your workplace and community


Breastfeeding and human milk are not only important for the health and well-being of babies and infants, but for parents, families and communities. But did you know there are a lot of other benefits to supporting breastfeeding parents, and parents who express milk, in addition to the health and well-being of babies?
Employers and community leaders can create inclusive and accessible environments for parents who breastfeed, chestfeed* or express milk at work and in the community.
Read on to learn more about these benefits, and how you can help your organization, employees and community reap these benefits with tips and resources.
8 benefits of supporting breastfeeding
Breastfeeding supports optimal physical, emotional and intellectual development. It reduces risk for gastrointestinal and ear infections in infants. Infants who are breastfed for at least six months are also found to experience fewer behavioural problems in childhood and early adolescence.
Breastfeeding families may be less likely to incur direct and indirect medical expenses related to illnesses. These parents also need less time off work to care for sick children, which translates into fewer absentee days and a stronger workforce.
Adults who were breastfed have decreased incidence of many cancers, infectious diseases, asthma, obesity, and type 1 and 2 diabetes later in life. In these ways, breastfeeding helps position an individual for improved health for life and therefore also supports healthy communities.
Moms who breastfeed in the first six weeks following childbirth have better recovery outcomes and experience initial postpartum complications. Over the long term, positive health benefits associated with breastfeeding include a reduction in the development of some cancers, fewer chronic diseases, and improved mental health.
Lower income and younger parents, and Indigenous, Black and People of Colour face greater barriers to breastfeeding. Developing safe and inclusive spaces for all breastfeeding mothers helps address social inequity. All mothers have the right to breastfeed if they so choose, and should be able to breastfeed in any space they occupy. And did you know it’s a human right protected by the B.C. Humans Right Code?
Barriers to breastfeeding unfairly affect women and their children. Many women experience discrimination at some point while breastfeeding in public. Furthermore, workplaces at which women can’t breastfeed or pump means women having to choose between being employed or staying at home to breastfeed their baby.
Indigenous cultures have traditionally viewed breastfeeding as a sacred relationship between the Creator, mother, ancestors, infant and the environment. Residential schools and the 60's Scoop resulted in the devastating loss of traditional cultural practices and the erosion of caregiving roles. This has included the undermining of community and generational support around breastfeeding.
Creating safe spaces to breastfeed aligns with Calls to Action #18 and #19 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Breastmilk is always readily available, including during times of wild fires, floods, and other disasters, and does not rely on food supply chains, contributing to infant food security for families that breastfeed.
The natural process of breastfeeding uses few resources and has a small carbon footprint. Breastfeeding requires no manufacturing, no transportation, no energy to prepare, no equipment, and no industrial and plastic waste.
Resources for employers and communities
Breastfeeding / chestfeeding tip sheet
Get tips on creating a welcoming, breastfeeding or chestfeeding-friendly space for all families, and get answers to frequently asked questions.
Breastfeeding-Friendly Communities
This booklet outlines for local governments the essential health values breastfeeding mothers contribute to community wellbeing: food security, a strong economy, climate action and reconciliation.
Breastfeeding-Friendly Public Spaces - A Toolkit for Local Governments
Research has revealed the importance of both the built environment and the social environment in making public spaces breastfeeding-friendly. Discover tools and best practices.
Lactation-friendly space infographic
An infographic for setting up a lactation-friendly space in your workplace for breastfeeding and expressing milk.
Printable posters
Four, full colour printable posters you can post around your workplace to show breastfeeding and chestfeeding is welcome anytime, anywhere
Baby-friendly window decal
Print off this window decal to welcome and show your support for breastfeeding or chestfeeding individuals.
Gender inclusive language guide
Learn gender inclusive vocabulary in your workplace to make everyone feel welcome.
*Chestfeeding is a term used by many transmasculine and non-binary parents to describe how they feed and nurture their children from their bodies. Some prefer the term nursing instead, while others prefer breastfeeding. La Leche League Canada
Oct. 1 to 7 is National Breastfeeding Week in Canada


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