Breastfeeding: The Illusion of Choice

Abstract Background Breastfeeding is frequently described as a woman's decision, yet this choice is often illusionary owing to suboptimal social and structural supports. Despite passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) that requires all qualifying employers to provide mo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Women's health issues 2016-09, Vol.26 (5), p.479-482
Main Authors: Dinour, Lauren M., DrPH, RD, Bai, Yeon K., PhD, RD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Breast Feeding - psychology
Breast Feeding - statistics & numerical data
Choice Behavior
Employment - psychology
Employment - statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Legislation as Topic
Mothers
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Organizational Policy
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
Women, Working - psychology
Women, Working - statistics & numerical data
Workplace
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Summary:Abstract Background Breastfeeding is frequently described as a woman's decision, yet this choice is often illusionary owing to suboptimal social and structural supports. Despite passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) that requires all qualifying employers to provide mothers “reasonable” break time and a private, non-bathroom space to express breast milk, the majority of women in the United States still do not have access to both accommodations. The Problem At least three issues may be influencing this suboptimal implementation at workplaces: 1) federal law does not address lactation space functionality and accessibility, 2) federal law only protects a subset of employees, and 3) enforcement of the federal law requires women to file a complaint with the United States Department of Labor. Recommendations To address each of these issues, we recommend the following modifications to current law: 1) additional requirements surrounding lactation space and functionality, 2) mandated coverage of exempt employees, and 3) requirement that employers develop company-specific lactation policies. Conclusions If the goal is to give women a real choice of whether to continue breastfeeding after returning to work, we must provide the proper social and structural supports that will allow for a truly personal decision. No mother should have to choose between breastfeeding her child and earning a paycheck.
ISSN:1049-3867
1878-4321
DOI:10.1016/j.whi.2016.06.002