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**DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH**

**POLICIES & PROCEDURES**

+--------------------------------------------------+--------------------+
| Policy Title:                                    | Last Revision      |
|                                                  | Date:              |
| **EMPLOYEE BREASTFEEDING *DRAFT until changes    |                    |
| are approved by PH Admin***                      | **5-24-2001**      |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------------------+
| Applicability:                                   | Next Revision      |
|                                                  | Date:              |
| **ALL FULL-TIME FEMALE EMPLOYEES OR PART TIME    |                    |
| FEMALE EMPLOYEES THAT WORK A FULL 8, 9 OR 10     | **5-24-2002**      |
| HOUR DAY.**                                      |                    |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------------------+
| Initiating Party / Team:                         | Origination Date:  |
|                                                  |                    |
| **OFFICE OF NUTRITION SERVICES**                 | **8-1-1994**       |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------------------+
| **APPROVED:**                                    | DPPN:              |
|                                                  |                    |
|                                                  | Replaces DPPN:     |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------------------+
| **Date:**                                        | Page 1 of 7        |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------------------+

1.  PURPOSE

> The purpose of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH)
> Employee Breastfeeding Policy is to support an employee in her
> decision to continue breastfeeding her baby while working and to
> encourage nursing employees to avoid premature weaning.
>
> MCDPH takes the lead in implementing a formal policy which enables
> breastfeeding employees to bring their infant to work until the baby
> turns three months of age, thereby "walking the talk" in promoting
> healthy mothers and babies.
>
> MCDPH supports the Surgeon General's position on Breastfeeding as
> stated in the Healthy People 2000 Report:
>
> Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding choice. Public policy should
> facilitate breastfeeding and support should be given to nursing
> employees at the workplace.
>
> Maricopa County encourages mothers to continue nursing beyond this
> policy's three-month limit.

2.  POLICY

    1.  Breastfed infants will be allowed to remain with their mother at
        work until they reach their 3rd month birthday. At this time
        other childcare arrangements will be needed. Formula fed babies
        are not included in this policy.

    2.  Maricopa County Department of Public Health will not assume
        responsibility for any illness or injury an infant might sustain
        as a result of being at the work or clinic setting, or during
        transportation to and from work. Infants cannot be transported
        in a county vehicle.

    3.  Job responsibilities and work performance must be maintained at
        acceptable standards of performance.

    4.  The Division Director or designee shall have the option to
        terminate this arrangement if work performance suffers or any
        disruption is caused at the work site.

    5.  Infants are not allowed on home visits or field investigation
        work.

    6.  Time for nursing mothers to pump breast milk will be provided
        during working hours if mother does not wish to bring baby to
        work.

    7.  As early as two calendar weeks before the infant's 3rd month
        birthday, the mother can begin transitioning her baby to feed
        expressed milk from a bottle to help smooth the transition to
        day care.

    8.  The appropriateness for implementing this policy at a particular
        work site will be left to the discretion of the supervisor and
        division program manager. Infants are not allowed in areas where
        there is a high risk of exposure to infectious diseases or
        hazardous working conditions.

3.  PROCEDURES

    1.  A mother who plans to bring her breastfeeding baby to work
        should give written notification to her supervisor before
        leaving on maternity leave. A breastfeeding baby will be allowed
        at the work site until the infant's third month birthday.

    2.  Employee and infant's father must release the County in writing,
        of any responsibility for any illness or injury the infant may
        develop or sustain during travel or at the work site. (See
        Attachment A). The supervisor shall maintain a copy of the
        written notification and release form in the employee's on-site
        file and send the original to the Public Health Human Resources
        Manager.

    3.  Mother must provide all equipment needed such as infant seat or
        baby carrier. Due to space limitation, equipment should be kept
        to a minimum. Employee will discuss space arrangements and other
        contingencies with her supervisor prior to bringing her infant
        to work.

    4.  Employee must be careful at all times to maintain acceptable
        work performance and avoid creating any office disturbances.
        Maricopa County of Public Health standards require that work
        performance and customer service remain of the top priority.

    5.  A nursing mother desiring to breastfeed during work hours should
        work out a schedule with her supervisor. If mother does not have
        baby with her during work hours, she should discuss with her
        supervisor an appropriate place and schedule for pumping and
        storing milk. The employee will be responsible for providing a
        place to store her milk if none is available at the work site.
        The employee will be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing any
        area/utensil used in the pumping/storing milk.

    6.  Any problems that arise should be immediately discussed with the
        supervisor and, if necessary, the Division Director so that they
        can be resolved quickly.

    7.  Disposable diapers, provided by the nursing mother, will be
        sealed and properly disposed of in a red bagged biohazard
        container. Due to sanitation concerns, no cloth diapers will be
        allowed.

    8.  See Attachment C for Tips for Working Moms.

4.  EVALUATION/REVIEW CRITERIA

    1.  At the conclusion of the use of this policy, the employee, her
        supervisor, and immediate co-workers will complete the
        appropriate Evaluation Form (See Attachment B). The completed
        forms will be given to the employee's supervisor and then
        forwarded to the Public Health Human Services Manager.

    2.  These evaluation forms will be compiled and analyzed annually by
        the Breastfeeding Promotion Coordinator and the Public Health
        Human Resource Manager. They will submit an Annual Report to the
        Department Director.

5.  REFERENCES

> This policy replaces the Maricopa County Department of Public Health
> Employee Breastfeeding Policy implemented 4-1-97.
>
> DEFINITIONS
>
> [Breastfeeding Infant]{.underline}: A breastfed infant is defined as
> an infant receiving feedings at the breast and no formula
> supplementation.
>
> [Breastfeeding Mother]{.underline}: A breastfeeding mother is defined
> as a mother supplying all milk feedings to her child at the breast
> (exception: transition time  See Section II.1.

6.  ATTACHMENTS

> Attachment A Breastfeeding Release Form
>
> Attachment B Evaluation Form for Employee Breastfeeding Program
>
> Attachment C Tips for Working Moms

**BREASTFEEDING RELEASE FORM**

**MARICOPA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH**

EMPLOYEE NAME:

SUPERVISOR:

DEPARTMENT/OFFICE:

WORK SITE:

INFANT'S BIRTHDATE:

**RELEASE BY MOTHER (EMPLOYEE)**

I, , am the mother (employee) of the child, It is my desire to bring my
child to my place of work at Maricopa County Department of Public Health
for the purpose of breastfeeding until he/she is three months of age.

For and on behalf of myself and my child, I hereby forever release,
relieve and hold harmless Maricopa County, its employees and agents, and
the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for any and all costs, losses
and damages of any kind or nature that may arise as a result of injury
or illness to either myself or my child as a result of the presence and
breastfeeding of my child during the course of my employment with
Maricopa County.

**Mother (Employee) Signature Date**

**RELEASE BY FATHER**

I, , am the father and is the mother of the child, . I hereby consent to
the presence and to the breastfeeding of my child at his/her mother's
workplace at Maricopa County.

For and on behalf of myself and my child I hereby relieve and hold
harmless Maricopa County, its employees, and agents, and the Maricopa
County Board of Supervisors for any and all costs, losses and damages of
any kind or nature that arise as a result of injury or illness to either
my child or his/her mother as a result of the presence and breastfeeding
of my child during the course of the mother's employment with Maricopa
County.

**Father Date**

Return this form to your supervisor. Supervisor: send completed release
to Public Health Human Resources Manager.

**ATTACHMENT A**

**EVALUATION FORM FOR EMPLOYEE BREASTFEEDING PROGRAM**

**MARICOPA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH**

Upon completion of the use of the breastfeeding policy, the employee,
her supervisor and immediate co-workers will complete evaluation form.

Individual completing this form:

 Breastfeeding Employee  Co-Worker  Supervisor  Manager

Your Name

Name of Employee Utilizing Policy

Date Breastfeeding at the Worksite Began

Date Breastfeeding at the Worksite Ended

Today's Date

**Worksite Breastfeeding Summary:**

**A)** Please describe the impact of the use of the breastfeeding policy
**on your work performance:**

**B)** Please describe the impact of the use of the breastfeeding policy
on your **worksite:**

**C)** What benefits did using the policy have on your job and in your
work site?

**D)** Did you encounter any problems and what did you do to resolve the
problem?

**E)** Your comments and recommendations for modifications to the
existing policy:

Return this form to your supervisor. Supervisor: send completed
evaluations to Public Health Human Resources Manager.

**ATTACHMENT B**

**TIPS FOR WORKING MOMS**

**MARICOPA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH**

1\. Use of a front pack baby carrier has a calming effect on the baby.
Baby thinks mom is holding him, but mom's arms are free for work,
writing, telephone, etc. Also, baby feels warm and contented as he/she
can hear mom's heart beat.

2\. Before returning to work, practice discreet breastfeeding at home.
This is best accomplished with loose tops that do not have to be
buttoned or tucked in after each nursing. If you can learn to nurse with
one hand and leave the other free for the phone, writing, etc. you'll be
able to accomplish two jobs at once.

3\. Look for nursing bras that are easy to hook and unhook with one
hand.

4\. If baby seems fussy, a change of scene and position can help.
Changing from baby carrier or stroller to baby seat can help the baby
stretch and feel more comfortable. This may especially help at age 2-3
months when baby is more alert and active.

5\. Be sure to bring a few rattles or toys for baby to play with.

6\. Be aware of other's space and privacy. Be sure to take baby to
restroom or a private place for diaper change so as not to offend
anyone. Be sure to bring sufficient changes of clothes and blankets for
baby.

7\. Two weeks before you and your baby become separated you may wish to
introduce a bottle containing your expressed milk. When the baby is
home, have someone other than you give the bottle. If the baby does not
accept the bottle well at home, you may try during the workday so that
the baby is ready to transition day care.

8\. Expressed breast milk should be stored in a refrigerator with a
label stating the contents, the date expressed, and the time it was
expressed. Refrigerated breast milk should be used within 5-6 days. If a
refrigerator isn't available, use a small cooler with plenty of ice for
a few hours only until it can be refrigerated.

9\. For more tips on working and breastfeeding or assistance in
implementing this policy, please contact the Office of Nutrition
Services at (480) 966-3090. You will be given the name and number of a
lactation educator who can assist you.

**ATTACHMENT C**