DL leaflet - Your support makes a difference to your colleagues
As part of a BFW accredited organisation's communication plan, all employees at accredited organisations should be aware of the support available, and subsequently realise that they play a part in creating a supportive workplace.
This DL leaflet is suitable for distribution throughout your workforce and for inclusion in staff induction packs.
This leaflet contains the following copy:
Front
This workplace is an accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace
Your support makes a difference to your colleagues
Balancing work commitments with a baby's needs is a challenge. Support and understanding from her manager and work colleagues can make a real difference to a mother's successful return to work after maternity leave.
If one of your colleagues is currently combining breastfeeding and work commitments, please keep in mind:
- She may need to take breaks during the day to express milk or feed her baby
- She may require some flexibility around her work
- Combining work and breastfeeding can be stressful. Understanding from colleagues goes a long way.
Combining breastfeeding and paid work is a short-term commitment on the part of your colleague, however it has long term benefits to both mother, baby and your organisation. She will appreciate your support
Back
Many women return to work when their infant is at an age that breastfeeding is still recommended. Support from her manager and colleagues is often an important factor in a mother's decision whether to combine breastfeeding and paid work, or prematurely wean her baby to return to work.
Research consistently shows that breastfeeding is important for the normal growth and development of babies and the health of their mothers. Not breastfeeding increases the risk of many childhood illnesses including gastroenteritis, ear infections, asthma, leukaemia, type 1 diabetes, and allergies. Not breastfeeding also inceases a mother's risk of suffering cancers of the reproductive organs, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and many other illnesses.
Research shows that many women prematurely wean their babies to return to the paid workforce. However, this does not need to be the case as there are lots of practical ways the workplace, manager and colleagues can support breastfeeding employees.
For more information visit the Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace website www.breastfeeding.asn.au/workplace
| LEAFLET SIZE | DL |
| ORIENTATION | Landscape |
| FORMATS AVAILABLE | Hard copy - professionally printed in full colour |
| PRICE | FREE for BFW accredited organisations. Plus postage and handling |
To order this poster, download the BFW resources order form.
