Why is breastfeeding so important?
Choosing how to feed your baby is one of the most important decisions you will make as a new parent. Breastfeeding is a gift only you can give your baby.
How can breast milk keep my baby healthy?
- Human milk supplies all the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions.
- Human milk protects against allergies, sickness and obesity.
- Human milk protects against diseases like diabetes and cancer.
- Human milk protects against infections, like ear infections.
- Human milk is easily digested, which means happier babies.
- Breastfed babies have healthier weights as they grow.
- Breastfed babies have higher IQs.
How can I count on WIC to help?
Our clinic is breastfeeding friendly and our staff is specially trained to help you have a positive breastfeeding experience. We offer free breastfeeding classes, breast pumps (based on eligibility), one-on-one support before and after the baby arrives, along with premium food packages for breastfeeding moms.
What if I need some extra help?
Macomb County WIC has a team of Breastfeeding Peer Counselors that are here to support you! Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are moms with breastfeeding experience and extensive training. They provide breastfeeding support, encouragement, guidance and education. Contact our Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Warm Line: (586) 469-6062, a peer will return your calls during evenings and weekends too!
Find us at “Macomb County WIC Breastfeeding Support”
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Can I return to work and breastfeed?
Planning ahead can make your return to work after having your baby much easier. Prior to your maternity leave, talk to your employer about:
- Having a private and convenient place to pump breast milk.
- How much maternity leave you are allowed - maternity leave helps maximize the time available to get breastfeeding established.
- If possible, work a reduced schedule for the first few weeks and ease back into working.
What should my employer know about my rights as a breastfeeding employee?
Federal Health Reform and nursing mothers:
President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, H.R. 3590 on March 23 and the Reconciliation Act of 2010, H.R. 4872, on March 30, 2010. (See the combined full text of Public Laws 111-148 and 111=152 here.) Among many provisions, Section 4207 of the law amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 (29 U.S. Code 207) to require an employer to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child's birth each time such employee has need to express milk. The employer is not required to compensate an employee receiving reasonable break time for any work time spent for such purpose. The employer must also provide a place, other than a bathroom, for the employee to express breast milk. If these requirements impose undue hardship, an employer that employs fewer than 50 employees is not subject to these requirements. The federal requirements shall not preempt a state law that provides greater protections to employees.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for their nursing child for one year after the child's birth each time such employee has need to express the milk. Employees are entitled to a place to pump at work, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public.
On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 into law. The law includes the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (“PUMP Act”), which extends to more nursing employees the rights to receive break time to pump and a private place to pump at work and may impact some of the other information provided below. For more information: Protection to Pump at Work