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What’s the most common reason for a mom to stop breastfeeding before she and her baby wants to? Returning to work.

Every state protects the right of a mother to breastfeed, but only 12 states have laws protecting working, pumping, breastfeeding moms. Employers in most states have no obligation to provide any assistance - the time, a private space, a clean refrigerator - to mothers who want to pump at work.

Last year, Congresswoman and mom Carolyn Maloney introduced a bill to promote breastfeeding, protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers, and make it a little easier for all working mothers to breastfeed.

The provisions of the bill will be to,

• amend the Civil Rights Act to protect breastfeeding women - including moms who pump milk - from being fired or discriminated against in the workplace
• provide tax incentives for businesses that establish private, lactation areas in the workplace
• provide for a performance standard for breast pumps
• allow breastfeeding equipment and services, such as lactation consultants, to be tax deductible for families

Sounds like a good thing, right? Give your support to the legislation by asking your congressperson to co-sponsor the bill. It’s very easy - just click here to send an email to your elected official asking for their support. The more support the bill has, the more likely it is to pass.

You can read more about the bill at Carolyn Maloney’s website.

Tags: Breastfeeding, breastfeeding legislation, congress, pumping, Working Moms