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North Daktota Businesses Designated "Infant Friendly"

Posted 8/20/12 (Mon)

North Dakota Businesses Designated as "Infant Friendly" 

The North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, recognized 20 North Dakota businesses as "Infant Friendly" in the past year, according to Deanna Askew, Healthy Communities coordinator for the North Dakota Department of Health. Employers can apply for this designation if they adopt a worksite policy that includes: 

  • Flexible work scheduling, including scheduling breaks and permitting work patterns that provide time for expression of breast milk.
  • A convenient, sanitary, safe and private location (other than a restroom), allowing privacy for breastfeeding or expressing breast milk.
  • A convenient, clean and safe water source with facilities for washing hands and rinsing breast-pumping equipment located near the private location.
  • A convenient place for temporarilystoring breast milk, such as a refrigerator or cooler.

The following ND employers have been designated as infant-friendly in the last year: 

Bismarck Burleigh Public Health, Bismarck Public Schools, Capital Credit Union, Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy, Dakota Eye Clinic, Baker Boy, Enderlin Sanford Clinic, Gate City Bank in Fargo, City of Grand Forks, Central Valley Health District, Ransom County, Rolette County Public Health District, City-County Health District, City of Valley City, Sanford Clinic in Valley City, Sanford Eye Clinic, Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, Valley City State University, Circle of Friends Preschool, Upper Missouri District Health Unit.

 "We understand that if a woman has support in her place of employment she will breastfeed her infant for a longer duration," said Askew. "This will give the baby an edge in overall health, including fewer infections, disease, obesity and diabetes."

According to research, breastfeeding also benefits the employer. Such benefits include lower health-care costs because breastfed babies are healthier, lower absenteeism, and lower turnover rates since woman are more likely to return to their previous jobs if the company provides support for breastfeeding mothers. These benefits can provide considerable cost savings to employers.

Businesses interested in joining the list of recognized organizations can find resources for supporting their employees and the simple application an www.ndhealth.gov/breastfeeding.

For more infromation about the infant friendly designation or Breastfeeding Week in North Dakota, contact BriAnna Wanner, North Dakota Department of Health, at 701-328-4529.