writing a grant for breastfeeding and need some insight!

mag1carpetr1de

I'm writing a grant that would ? Create a convenient, safe, private and comfortable lactation environment for expressing or breastfeeding working women ? Create and implement policies that will support lactating women in the workplace ? Create and implement support programs for lactating women in the workplace

 Since we are all such a creative bunch, or many of your organizations might have policies, what would you want your organization to provide to you?

 Thanks in advance! Mallory

TimsMayBride

comfy chairs, privacy, close, outlets for pump, fridge for milk, 15-20 min at least 3x a day to pump

mag1carpetr1de

thank you!

na24

A computer in the room so you can work while you pump if you want?  

A sink for washing pump parts would be nice, too.  

DallasHorn

Ditto to all these.

I would also add, which is a biggie - 12 weeks maternity leave (ideally all paid, but at a min 8 weeks paid). This is necessary to establish BF. Without paid leave, many women financially can not be away from work that long.

At the workplace, there needs to be something around not penalizing a BF mom for taking the time to pump.

In my mind, we should require ALL hospitals (doctors and staff) to be educated on BF - - believe it or not, there is a lot of inaccurate thinking out there by medical professionals!!

Paying for a breastpump is an excellent thing - companies should pay for them since BF babies are usually not nearly as sick as FF babies - which means less insurance costs and less time mom is away from work to care for a sick baby!

jen5-03

My company provides:

A room with restricted key-card access that has 3 "stalls" curtained off. Each stall has a table, desk chair, and a hospital grade pump.

There is a bookshelf for donated books/magazines and pump storage if you choose to bring your own.

There is a sink, mirror, dishsoap, paper towels, full-size fridge with freezer and microwave.

There is a rocking chair and ottoman if you need to take a break while you're still pg (not in a private area where you could pump). I guess you could nurse there too if someone brought your baby to you, but I've never seen that happen.

Each pregnant woman (employee OR on-site contractor) is given a pump kit upon request. The pump kit has the tubing, flanges, parts so that you can use the hospital grade pumps provided as well as a couple storage bottles and retails for about $40.

I would like to see access to a lactation consultant provided. A lot of people never call one because of $, so I think it would help a lot. Maybe it is available through the EAP, but I'm a contractor so I don't know what they provide through that.

drcolleen

I don't want to be special, I just want the opportunity to do what I think is right so I don't need anything fancy, just time and a private space.  For me, I am on the "breastfeeding plan" so my clinic starts a little later to allow a pump in the am after a morning meeting. Space wise, my office is enough, I hung a sheet to separate me from the door/office mate and I already had my minifridge.   Without an office or laptop I would say a private room w/ a fridge and computer (I work while pumping).

 I have access to hospital grade pumps but like mine better.  It doesn't seem fair to force anyone to buy my pump for me or pay for a LC - unless the company is large and will also pay for smoking cessation/weight loss classes and personal trainers.... other health benefits.  On the other hand, I am military and have all of the above available (though not utilized) so I'm likely biased.

What's your grant for? Your company?  GL 

BarnStar

I just sent you a PM with a link to my company's support program for reference.

jen5-03

drcolleen:

  It doesn't seem fair to force anyone to buy my pump for me or pay for a LC - unless the company is large and will also pay for smoking cessation/weight loss classes and personal trainers.... other health benefits.

Fair point. I do work at one of the top 10 largest companies in the world and there is a free gym on site, with trainers on staff and other classes etc.