Comments on: Indiana Breastfeeding Bill Signed into Law http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/ Breastfeeding 1-2-3: A Blog for Breastfeeding Tips and Support Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:51:20 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Danielle http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/comment-page-1/#comment-18712 Danielle Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:35:46 +0000 http://www.breastfeeding123.com/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/#comment-18712 This is a great law for women employed by larger companies, but I work for a small company. My baby still needs to eat. The law should not specify company size. Every employer should be required to allow 10 or 15 minutes break a few times a day for pumping. The law is a very good thing, but it needs to be amended. This is a great law for women employed by larger companies, but I work for a small company. My baby still needs to eat. The law should not specify company size. Every employer should be required to allow 10 or 15 minutes break a few times a day for pumping. The law is a very good thing, but it needs to be amended.

]]> By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/comment-page-1/#comment-3574 Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:00:04 +0000 http://www.breastfeeding123.com/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/#comment-3574 Hi Christy, The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee has published a paper on how employers can make the workplace breastfeeding-friendly. It has a section on "adequate" "expanded" and "comprehensive" breastfeeding support programs. You might find it helpful! Maybe you could print it out and give it to your employer to jump-start a discussion. http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Issue-Papers/Workplace.pdf Hi Christy,

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee has published a paper on how employers can make the workplace breastfeeding-friendly. It has a section on “adequate” “expanded” and “comprehensive” breastfeeding support programs. You might find it helpful! Maybe you could print it out and give it to your employer to jump-start a discussion.

http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Issue-Papers/Workplace.pdf

]]> By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/comment-page-1/#comment-4293 Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:00:11 +0000 http://www.breastfeeding123.com/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/#comment-4293 Hi Christy, I was unable to find more detail in the version of the law I referenced. You might wish to read the comment previous to yours for info on finding a local La Leche League leader who could talk through with you how to discuss your concerns with your employer. Are there other breastfeeding mothers using the room as well? Perhaps you can band together and come up with a proposal for what you would like to see. That could either be a new space designed for a lactation room, or it could be an unused conference room with a door that locks etc. Make it as easy as possible for your employer to help you. Another alternative would be to ask if you could work to get the storage room cleaned out -- have the shelves and cabinets removed to other rooms (and you suggest possible rooms!) Explain your concerns -- sanitation, comfort, convenience etc. Assume the employer has the best intentions (even if you suspect not) and go in with a positive and pleasant demeanor and your employer might be happy to help. Have you read the book "The Milk Memos"? It's a fun and informative read that's especially helpful for working and pumping mothers. See: http://www.breastfeeding123.com/the-milk-memos-a-book-review/ Hi Christy,

I was unable to find more detail in the version of the law I referenced. You might wish to read the comment previous to yours for info on finding a local La Leche League leader who could talk through with you how to discuss your concerns with your employer.

Are there other breastfeeding mothers using the room as well? Perhaps you can band together and come up with a proposal for what you would like to see. That could either be a new space designed for a lactation room, or it could be an unused conference room with a door that locks etc. Make it as easy as possible for your employer to help you. Another alternative would be to ask if you could work to get the storage room cleaned out — have the shelves and cabinets removed to other rooms (and you suggest possible rooms!) Explain your concerns — sanitation, comfort, convenience etc.

Assume the employer has the best intentions (even if you suspect not) and go in with a positive and pleasant demeanor and your employer might be happy to help.

Have you read the book “The Milk Memos”? It’s a fun and informative read that’s especially helpful for working and pumping mothers.

See:

http://www.breastfeeding123.com/the-milk-memos-a-book-review/

]]> By: Christy http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/comment-page-1/#comment-3182 Christy Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:24:30 +0000 http://www.breastfeeding123.com/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/#comment-3182 what is consider an appropriate place to pump? I am employed at a company with over 1500 people. I have been given the use of a storage room the size of a small office which is filled with shelves and filing cabinets. There is a single chair and a step stool to set my pump on. They were generous enough to install a full length mirror so I can be sure to make sure I am properly dressed when I leave. There is no where to wash pump supplies or store breast milk other than the public bathroom and break room which is in another part of the building. This is my 2nd child. With the first I pumped at work for a year. I was forced to pump in the womens locker room or in the handicap shower stall if I wanted privacy. Now that Indiana passed this law I have been provided with what they consider appropriate facilities. The company strives to be an employer of choice which provides gym, cafe and other benefits but provides breastfeeding mothers a closet to pump in. My question is if there are any stipulations as to the conditions of the facility provided. I don't feel as though the closet I am currently using is any more sanitary or convenient than the shower stall I was using before. The only benefit is the availability of electricity and slightly more privacy. what is consider an appropriate place to pump? I am employed at a company with over 1500 people. I have been given the use of a storage room the size of a small office which is filled with shelves and filing cabinets. There is a single chair and a step stool to set my pump on. They were generous enough to install a full length mirror so I can be sure to make sure I am properly dressed when I leave. There is no where to wash pump supplies or store breast milk other than the public bathroom and break room which is in another part of the building. This is my 2nd child. With the first I pumped at work for a year. I was forced to pump in the womens locker room or in the handicap shower stall if I wanted privacy. Now that Indiana passed this law I have been provided with what they consider appropriate facilities. The company strives to be an employer of choice which provides gym, cafe and other benefits but provides breastfeeding mothers a closet to pump in. My question is if there are any stipulations as to the conditions of the facility provided. I don’t feel as though the closet I am currently using is any more sanitary or convenient than the shower stall I was using before. The only benefit is the availability of electricity and slightly more privacy.

]]> By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/comment-page-1/#comment-2374 Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:02:37 +0000 http://www.breastfeeding123.com/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/#comment-2374 Hi Joy and Michele, A good place to go for help would be a local La Leche League leader. Here's how to find one in Indiana: http://www.llli.org/Web/Indiana.html A leader cannot offer legal advice, but she can offer information about the law, guide you to resources, and help you think through how to talk to the employer. She can also give information on the benefits to the employer (for example, babies of employees who breastfeed get sick less often and less severely, which results in fewer work absences for the m mother). Here is an article on talking to your boss about why supporting breastfeeding is a good idea! http://www.llli.org/Law/LawEmployment.html Hope that helps! Hi Joy and Michele,

A good place to go for help would be a local La Leche League leader. Here’s how to find one in Indiana:

http://www.llli.org/Web/Indiana.html

A leader cannot offer legal advice, but she can offer information about the law, guide you to resources, and help you think through how to talk to the employer. She can also give information on the benefits to the employer (for example, babies of employees who breastfeed get sick less often and less severely, which results in fewer work absences for the m mother).

Here is an article on talking to your boss about why supporting breastfeeding is a good idea!

http://www.llli.org/Law/LawEmployment.html

Hope that helps!

]]> By: Joy http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/comment-page-1/#comment-1861 Joy Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:18:41 +0000 http://www.breastfeeding123.com/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/#comment-1861 Where does a breast feeding employee go for help if her employer refuses to follow the new law? Where does a breast feeding employee go for help if her employer refuses to follow the new law?

]]> By: Michele http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/comment-page-1/#comment-2594 Michele Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:20:47 +0000 http://www.breastfeeding123.com/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/#comment-2594 It's great that a law was passed but some employers still harass mothers for pumping. The owner of my salon makes me clock out to pump and tells me i can go in the office to pump but i have to leave the door open. There are always people in and out of the back room so what should i do? She also told me i couldnt return to work without a doctors note because it was "a medical condition". She's from Kentucky. It’s great that a law was passed but some employers still harass mothers for pumping. The owner of my salon makes me clock out to pump and tells me i can go in the office to pump but i have to leave the door open. There are always people in and out of the back room so what should i do? She also told me i couldnt return to work without a doctors note because it was “a medical condition”. She’s from Kentucky.

]]> By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/comment-page-1/#comment-2691 Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:39:29 +0000 http://www.breastfeeding123.com/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/#comment-2691 Dianna, good question! There are some breastfeeding laws on the books in KY -- http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm#k You might check who sponsored those original bills and start a letter writing campaign asking them to sponsor a bill similar to Indiana's. Kentucky has several state breastfeeding coalitions: http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:y_qWy6ELrv0J:chfs.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/0FA1896D-0968-44CF-8231-10B12DA563DD/0/KENTUCKYBREAASTFEEDINGCOALITIONS0108.doc+kentucky+breastfeeding+coalition&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us You could contact them and see if anything is in the works or if any of the organizations is interested in helping sponsor a campaign to get such a law passed. Dianna, good question! There are some breastfeeding laws on the books in KY — http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm#k

You might check who sponsored those original bills and start a letter writing campaign asking them to sponsor a bill similar to Indiana’s.

Kentucky has several state breastfeeding coalitions:

http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:y_qWy6ELrv0J:chfs.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/0FA1896D-0968-44CF-8231-10B12DA563DD/0/KENTUCKYBREAASTFEEDINGCOALITIONS0108.doc+kentucky+breastfeeding+coalition&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us

You could contact them and see if anything is in the works or if any of the organizations is interested in helping sponsor a campaign to get such a law passed.

]]> By: Dianna http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/comment-page-1/#comment-2694 Dianna Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:09:47 +0000 http://www.breastfeeding123.com/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/#comment-2694 Fantastic! Now, who do we need to contact to get this passed across the river in KY? Fantastic! Now, who do we need to contact to get this passed across the river in KY?

]]> By: kaylynn http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/comment-page-1/#comment-2237 kaylynn Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:23:40 +0000 http://www.breastfeeding123.com/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/#comment-2237 just in time! i had my baby may 12th a we-bit early but healthy. his needs always come first, im thankful that even when i return to work i can still take care of his needs. thank you for understanding the needs of our childern as well as ours. just in time! i had my baby may 12th a we-bit early but healthy. his needs always come first, im thankful that even when i return to work i can still take care of his needs. thank you for understanding the needs of our childern as well as ours.

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