Work breaks for breast feeders

By The Helena IR - 04/30/07

Last week’s Question of the Week asked whether a bill requiring breast-feeding or pumping breaks for public workers also should have included private-sector workers.

The Legislature passed the bill April 19 and the governor’s office said it would sign it. Sponsor Sen. Carol Williams, D-Missoula, said that if the measure works well with public employees, she would like to see it expanded to private businesses as well.

The poll didn’t make it onto our Web site, so we have no tally. But we did get a couple of written responses:

- Of course it should. It is well known that natural mother’s milk is best for babies, and so most mothers want to do so. But it certainly puts many of them in an awkward position on the job. I fail to see why breast-feeding mothers who happen to work for the state should get a better deal than those who happen to work someplace else.

- It depends on the job. Sure, some workers can get away for this, but types of jobs mean that such breaks are difficult if not impossible. It’s not a case where one size fits all.


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Reader Comments:

wills wrote on Apr 30, 2007 7:53 PM:

" All workers should be allowed time to pump in order to feed their baby. As a working mother I need to supplement formula in order for my baby to eat while I am working. After working with many smokers that break every hour or so and covering for them while they are gone I feel nursing moms should be able to pump in a sanitary room every few hours. "


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