On May 17, 2007, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed the Breastfeeding and Return to Work bill into law.  Employers of 25 or more are now mandated to provide unpaid breaks and clean, private places to express breastmilk, unless doing so would cause undue hardship.  Gov. Kulongoski was surrounded by beaming children as he picked up one ceremonial pen after another to add his signature to the law books. “This is a great day,” he told them. “It’s wonderful to finally see this passed.”

After the signing, the governor relinquished his chair in the ceremonial office to Diane Garrett, volunteer lobbyist with Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon.  Garrett has been working to improve workplace conditions for new moms since 2004, and was heartily congratulated by Reps. Tomei, Rosenbaum and Mauer for her work.  Labor Commissioner Dan Gardner and House Speaker Jeff Merkley were also present at the ceremony.

“There is no nutrient as important to an infant as breast milk,” said House Speaker Jeff Merkley, D-Portland.  “This law gives nursing mothers more opportunities to provide that nourishment to their children and that is something we should encourage in as many ways as possible.”

"I want to thank the Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon and Diane Garrett for all their hard work on HB 2372," said Sen. Ginny Burdick, a chief sponsor of HB2372. "This important public health legislation will make a real difference in the lives of Oregon babies and their mothers."

"This is a victory for working families in Oregon," said Sen. Kate Brown, D-Portland.  "We need to make sure we give families every tool they need to succeed."

A broad coalition of supporters, including business lobbying groups and the Bureau of Labor and Industry, have worked together to draft language that will help businesses administer the policy.  As a result, Oregon’s bill will be the most detailed breastfeeding-in-the-workplace legislation in the country.  This is a natural role for Oregon, the national leader in breastfeeding, where 87 percent of mothers initiate breastfeeding.  The precipitous fall in breastfeeding rates once mothers return to work was a red flag for health officials.

"This achievement was made possible through the leadership of the Nursing Mothers Counsel," said Bruce Goldberg, MD, director of the Oregon Department of Human Services. "This is a win -win for Oregon's families and businesses. Better health outcomes for our children, healthy options for breastfeeding mothers who return to work and the creation of breastfeeding friendly environments for families are all crucial parts of a strong economy."

Families appreciate the consideration. 

"Returning to work after a baby is a big transition,” said Marion Rice, managing director of Public Internet Channel. “Having an employer who supported me in providing breast milk for my child created an inclusive work environment where I felt supported.”

Businesses across the country have found creative ways to provide breastfeeding accommodation in a wide variety of settings and budgets.  Initial perceptions of inconvenience are offset by direct cost savings and vast public health benefits.  Research has found that for every $1 spent on breastfeeding, companies save $3.  This is because in companies that support breastfeeding:

·   Women return to work earlier.

·   Fewer health-care dollars are spent.

·   Fewer sick days are taken (for themselves or to care for an infant).

·   Employees report greater job satisfaction.

·   Companies report reduced staff turnover.

For more information, contact Amelia Psmythe, Executive Director, Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon, (503) 804-6515, amelia@nursingmotherscounsel.org.