Established in 1997, the New Hampshire Breastfeeding Task Force is an organization to help protect and promote breastfeeding. The organization and all of its members encourage employers to be open to breastfeeding by having breastfeeding rooms as well as pamphlets with information and breastfeeding breaks for mothers. Plymouth State University has recently received the organizations Employer Friendly Breastfeeding Award. This is the first year the award has been given and was also awarded to other New Hampshire establishments including, Elliot Hospital, Monadnock Hospital, and Stony Field Farm.
Plymouth State Professor Chantalle Forgues is a member of the Breastfeeding Task force as well as a new mother. She is very enthusiastic about the award.
“Women who breastfeed have healthier babies and miss less work because of sick kids. The mothers are also a lot healthier themselves and will need to take less sick time from work,” said Forgues.
She noted that when women have to go on maternity leave they will miss enough work as it is. Being able to stay healthy and naturally feed their child give mothers a chance to lead a health life and is a great way to keep down healthcare costs for the school.
Forgues finds it very important for not only staff but the public and students to have a space to privately and safely pump or breastfeed.
“I would make use of it and I know people who have. It sure beats the bathroom!” Forgues said.
Having a space specifically for mothers to breastfeed helps accommodate women who need to lactate milk during the day. It is important for PSU to keep all mothers of the community and their children healthy and happy.