Friday, August 6, 2010

Breastfeeding : Know Your Rights

If you choose to breastfeed your child in the state of Massachusetts, you should be aware of your rights.

In 2007, Governor Deval Patrick passed the senate bill, No. 2438 An Act to Promote Breastfeeding.  This allows a nursing mother to provide her baby nourishment in any public place without harassment.  Anyone that does harass a nursing mother can be fined up to $500. 

If you choose to work after the birth of your baby, you have the right to express milk on an unpaid lunch or break without fear of getting reprimanded or losing your job, per senate bill, No. 75 An Act Protecting The Rights of Nursing Mothers.  You also cannot be denied employment simply because you'll be pumping on your breaks. 

Unfortunately there is no law requiring employers to provide anything but a toilet stall for pumping.  The law states, "The employer or labor organization shall make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location in close proximity to the work area, other than a toilet stall, where the employee can express her breast milk in privacy."  If there is no other location, you get the bathroom.  I pumped in a secluded bathroom when I was pumping for my first son.  The bathroom didn't lock, but fortunately was big enough to put a chair inside and up against the door.  I made a sign to go on the door, but I worked with special needs children and a lot of them couldn't read.  I spent a lot of time getting bumped in the back.  At least I didn't have to sit on the toilet...

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