I knew the moment I found out that I was pregnant that I was going to breastfeed. It was what I felt was the best choice for my son and myself. I was committed to breastfeeding him for the first year of his life, even if that meant having to pump at work every day once I returned from maternity leave. I read up on the laws in my state and discussed my choice with my HR department, who also read up on what their responsibilities were. They offered me the use of an empty office that had an adjacent restroom. It was perfect.

The only problem I came across at work was a few weeks after I’d been back from maternity leave and my boss called me into her (yes, HER) office. She told me that I was going to have cut down on my extended breaks. I told her I was within my rights to take those “extended breaks” and if she didn’t like it she could take it up with HR. Which she did. She was not only told that I was indeed within my rights but that I could file a complaint against her for telling me I couldn’t take those breaks. The subject never came up again.

At the time I didn’t realize that the luxury and protection I had while breastfeeding was only being provided to me because I live in California. Had I lived in any number of other U.S. states I would not have been so lucky.

I could have ended up like LaNisa Allen in Ohio. Allen, a former employee of Totes/Isotoner, was fired for taking unauthorized breaks to pump breast milk. Read that again one more time if you need to. Or read on because it gets worse. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in favor of Totes/Isotoner stating that, “Allen's condition of lactating was not a condition relating to pregnancy but rather a condition related to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding discrimination does not constitute gender discrimination.”

The fact that our right to breastfeed is determined simply by what state we live in is ridiculous. That’s why its so important to make sure that you call your representative to ensure that they support the “Breastfeeding Promotion Act” (H.R. 2819) which was introduced by Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in June. The Breastfeeding Promotion Act would (according to Maloney’s website) “protect breastfeeding moms from discrimination in the workplace, require large employers to provide the time and private space moms need to express milk, and provides for tax incentives for employers that establish private lactation areas in the workplace.”

Contact your representative today and tell them to support The Breastfeeding Promotion Act so that the same universal rights no matter what state they live in can protect breastfeeding moms across the country.

 

Posted by: Ronnie Dubrowin @ 05:11PM on October 15 2009
Comment:

Yes, I know that we who support breastfeeding don't have lots of money like the manufacturers of formula. But every study shows that breastfeeding is healthlier for mom and baby, reducing many health problems, including asthma for the baby, and breast cancer for the mom. Please support this.

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Posted by: Tina @ 03:39PM on October 15 2009
Comment:

How about committing to stay home and raise your son.

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Posted by: Debbi Spiegel @ 02:01PM on October 15 2009
Comment:

It is nature's perfect food for baby!