HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14 - Res. Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers in the Workplace - 2014/07/22 Mason County Board of Health
Resolution No.
f RE: SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS IN THE WORKPLACE
WHEREAS,Mason County had a high breastfeeding rate for infants at birth(90%),but breastfeeding drops
dramatically for infants at 6 months(25%)and 12 months(15%)of age. In comparison,the national breastfeeding
average is 74%at birth,43.5%, at 6 mo and 22.7%at 12 mo, and
WHEREAS,national Healthy People 2020 goals include objectives to increase the proportion of infants who are
breastfed with targets of. 60.6%of infants at 6 months and 34.1% of infants at lyear,and
WHEREAS,the Centers for Disease Control(CDC)reports infants who are not breastfed experience more
episodes of diarrhea, ear infections,and lower respiratory tract infections and are at higher risk of sudden infant death
syndrome, diabetes,and obesity.Breastfeeding also helps protect mothers from breast and ovarian cancer,and
WHEREAS,to help support breastfeeding mothers and increase breastfeeding rates in the United States,the U.S.
Surgeon General released The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding in 2011.The Call to Action sets
out clear action steps that communities,health care systems,health care providers, employers,public health professionals,
and other organizations and individuals can take to support mothers and make breastfeeding easier,and
WHEREAS,the Affordable Care Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act(FLSA),to require that employers
provide reasonable break time, each time an employee needs to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after
the birth of the child. In addition, employers are required to provide a private place(non-bathroom),that is shielded from
view and free from intrusion,where nursing employees can express breast milk during the workday,NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED,the Mason County Board of Health encourages all employers in Mason County to adopt
,licies that provide nursing mothers reasonable break'time and an appropriate place to express breast milk because of the
A-any health benefits breastfeeding has to both mother and child and to comply with Section 7(r)of the Fair Labor
Standards Act—Break Time for Nursing Mothers Provision.
Dated this 22nd day of July, 2014 Mason County Board of Health
Mason Cou ty,Washington
est: Sit�erri Jeffre ha'
r ..Y.
Jerk4oft oard Randy Nealherlin;Commigsioner
Timf§hel , Commissioner
Approved as to Form:
Mike Olsen, City of Shelton Commissioner
Tim White ead, Mason County Deputy .0
Prosecuting Attorney
Peggy Wan Buskirk, Public Hospital District 2
(Signatures continued next page)
Board of Health Resolution supporting breastfeeding in the Workplace .Page 1
Terr Me on, Public spital District 1
rank Phillips, Fire Com�, Oners
Board of Health Resolution supporting breastfeeding in the Workplace Page 2