Breastfeeding: The Illusion of Choice

• 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
• ISSN: 1049-3867; 1878-4321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2016.06.002

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.