Mothers who breastfeed may choose to stay home in the early months for fear of being confronted with criticism for breastfeeding in public. In the state of Minnesota, women are allowed to breastfeed in public places. In fact, Minnesota has a State law to protect breastfeeding mothers called: Anytime, Anywhere, Minnesota breastfeeding statute 145.905.
Polk County Breastfeeding Coalition, along with the Polk County Wellness Coalition and the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership, has created an initiative to increase awareness for public acceptance of breastfeeding as normal. By engaging area businesses, restaurants, and other community entities to sign a pledge to support breastfeeding throughout their establishment they are supporting healthy habits for mothers and babies. Supporting breastfeeding moms includes not asking mothers to leave an area that is open to the public, to cover her baby or stop breastfeeding. Businesses are also asked to educate their staff about their participation in the initiative and agree to hang a “breastfeeding welcome here” window cling on their front door or window. Businesses will be featured on Polk County Public Health (PCPH) social media sites and website, along with the Polk County Breastfeeding Coalition (PCBC) Facebook page.
Wonderful Life Foods is one business to sign the pledge and display the breastfeeding welcome here window cling, Erin Brule, co-owner, states: “Wonderful Life Food’s mission is “keeping healthy simple.” We want everyone to feel that their unique nutritional needs can be met. Providing a safe space for nursing mothers is a natural fit, and we are proud to support them.”
Providing a welcoming environment for nursing mothers in public places decreases barriers to breastfeeding. By partnering with local businesses, the Anytime, Anywhere Initiative will encourage new and future moms to feel comfortable nursing in public places, along with helping currently nursing moms to better meet the recommended goals for breastfeeding their babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months with continued breastfeeding alongside the introduction of complementary foods for at least 1 year.
According to the CDC’s 2018 Breastfeeding Report Card, 89.2 % of Minnesota moms initiate breastfeeding; nationwide the rate is 83.2 %. The high breastfeeding initiation rates show that most mothers in the United States want to breastfeed and start out doing so. All sectors of society (family and friends, hospitals, health care offices/clinics, childcare facilities, community-based organizations, and workplaces) can play a role in improving the health of families by supporting breastfeeding. When a business welcomes breastfeeding mothers, we are increasing the health and well-being of our community by normalizing breastfeeding. It’s good for business.
Members of the Polk County Breastfeeding Coalition will be inviting businesses to participate in this Anytime, Anywhere Initiative. If you would like to show your support for breastfeeding anytime, anywhere sooner, contact Polk County Public Health, 218-281-3385.
