We Are Mother-Friendly Worksites!!

At NET Health, all of our WIC clinics are designated as Mother-Friendly Worksites.  This wonderful initiative supports our employees throughout their personal journeys as new mothers.  The Mother-Friendly Program allows fulltime staff members to bring their breastfed infants to work until the age of 5 months.  To help the staff in their breastfeeding success, they receive supplies such as a nursing cover, an infant wrap and sling, and a nursing pillow.  When the infant reaches 5 months of age and is no longer able to come to work, the staff member receives a hospital-grade breast pump and collection kit to encourage further breastfeeding success.  We encourage mothers to breastfeed and work at the same time to show support and to reveal the value we place on breastfeeding.

Some of the benefits that are already evident from this program include:

• A smoother transition back to work because the breastfeeding mother can nurse on demand.

• The rate of absenteeism is reduced and employee retention is improved due to the mother’s high rate of overall satisfaction and contentment with her newborn by her side.

• The staff member feels a higher sense of loyalty to her employer because her breastfeeding goals are valued.

• Research has shown that WIC participants are more interested in discussing breastfeeding when they observe it firsthand.

• As the mother reaps the benefits of a successful breastfeeding relationship, she talks openly with others about her experience in the program.

Our Agency has received recognition for our Mother-Friendly efforts from the Texas WIC Program and our WIC Director has been invited to present information about the program, promoting Mother-Friendly Worksites to other businesses.

For more information regarding the “how-to’s” of the Mother-Friendly Worksite initiative, visit the Texas Mother Friendly and the Business Case for Breastfeeding websites.