Abstract
Workplace breastfeeding support remains a critical yet under-addressed factor influencing maternal and infant health. Although federal protections mandate lactation accommodations, they often fall short of supporting sustained, on-demand breastfeeding. This Insight into Practice and Policy paper describes the development and implementation of an Infant at Work (IAW) policy in a pediatric clinic setting. The policy allows employees to bring their infants to work until 12 months of age, contingent on safety and job performance considerations. Over the past decade, three mothers have participated in this policy with a total of five children, reporting benefits such as extended breastfeeding duration, improved emotional well-being, and enhanced work-life balance. Clinic staff emphasize the importance of leadership support, a family-oriented culture, and flexible workflow accommodations to facilitate policy success. This paper highlights how direct infant presence in the workplace can normalize breastfeeding, strengthen maternal-infant bonds, and reduce the logistical and emotional strain of early postpartum employment. While this model may not be feasible in every work environment, it offers a novel framework for reimagining lactation support. This practice-oriented perspective provides clinicians, lactation professionals, and policymakers with actionable insights for replicating or adapting IAW policies in similar settings.
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