by Amy Spangler
June 11, 2009

Like the famous Energizer Bunny, supporters of the Breastfeeding Promotion Act just keep going and going and going. Originally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives March 17, 1999 by Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York, it has taken 10 years to gain Senate support. In a formal announcement, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has joined forces with Representative Maloney, expanding the bill to include a provision that provides time and space in the workplace for breastfeeding mothers to express and collect their milk.

In a press release from the Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon, Senator Merkley is quoted as saying, “It’s not every day we have the opportunity to enact legislation that is so clearly a win-win for families and our nation. Making it easier for moms to breastfeed means we have healthier babies, stronger families and happier workers. I championed Oregon’s breastfeeding bill two years ago. I’m excited to see Oregon’s contribution to a nationwide movement embraced by Representative Maloney and all those who have long advocated the purely common sense notion that breast milk is best.”

Only 11 percent of infants in the United States (U.S.) are exclusively breastfed for the first six months despite the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics. While Oregon ranks among the top five U.S. states in breastfeeding initiation rates, only 1 in 4 Oregon infants are exclusively breastfed for six months.

In the U.S., 70 percent of women with young children work full-time outside the home with the fastest growing workforce segment being women with children under 3 years of age. Given this reality, it’s easy to see why so many women cite returning to work as their reason for stopping breastfeeding.

Currently 24 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have laws related to breastfeeding in the workplace. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have laws that allow women to breastfeed in any public or private place. It’s been 10 years since the original bill was introduced by Representative Maloney, but breastfeeding advocates are optimistic given that this is the first year the Breastfeeding Promotion Act has had a Senate sponsor. Passage of the bill would put into place the following requirements:

• Amend existing language in the civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protection from discrimination for breastfeeding mothers.

• Provide tax incentives for employers for expenses related to creating a breastfeeding friendly workplace.

• Establish minimum safety performance standard for breast pumps.

• Make breastfeeding equipment and services tax deductible for families.

• Provide breastfeeding mothers with the privacy and time needed to express milk in the workplace.

If you’d like to show your support for the Breastfeeding Promotion Act, contact your Senators and Representatives. You can also visit MomsRising where you can sign a Statement of Support and share your personal story.