Opelousas General Health System Designated as Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Champion

Opelousas General Health System has been designated as a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Champion by the Mary Amelia Women’s Health Center and the Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition. Opelousas General Health System has received this designation because it provides time, space, and support for employees who breastfeed or pump milk to feed their babies.

As a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Champion, Opelousas General Health System will be listed on the web site (http://womenshealth.tulane.edu) and included in press releases.

Businesses that support employees who are breastfeeding have lower health care costs, lower turnover, higher productivity and morale, and positive public image in their communities. To qualify as Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Champion, workplaces must offer:

- Reasonable break time for working mothers to pump breast milk each time they need to throughout the day;
- One or more permanent breastfeeding rooms, or a clean, private, and safe space with an outlet, other than a toilet stall that mothers can use for lactation when needed;
- A working sink near the breastfeeding location where mothers can clean pumping equipment;
- And lactation support communicated to all current and future employees.

Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Champions also have written policies to support breastfeeding in the workplace.

“We are honored to be able to support working mothers in the nourishment of their babies by providing a safe, comfortable and private designated area to breast feed or pump”, said Kenneth Cochran, DSc, RN, FACHE, President and CEO.

The Mary Amelia Women’s Health Center and the Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition recognizes businesses as Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Champions to honor the work that family-friendly businesses are doing to support the health and well-being of women and children in our community.