A statewide advocacy group is recognizing four New Hampshire employers for being friendly toward breastfeeding mothers.
The New Hampshire Breastfeeding Task Force named Stonyfield Farm, Plymouth State University, Elliot Hospital and Monadnock Hospital as the first recipients of its breastfeeding friendly employer award.
Task force vice chair Liza Lamadriz says it isn’t difficult for businesses to make sure mothers have a clean space in which to breastfeed.
“And it’s good for business, too. Because moms who breastfeed longer, their babies are healthier, they miss less work, fewer insurance claims for health care costs. And of course, women are happier if their employers are supportive.”
Plymouth State, for example, was recognized for providing educational breastfeeding materials to expectant parents, providing lactation rooms and a refrigerator for milk storage.
Lamadriz says while there has been improvement among businesses, she hopes the new award will encourage more to take those steps.
