High Plains Library District Recognized for Supporting Nursing Mothers

May 16, 2017

Weld County, CO – The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) and Northern Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition (NCBC) recently recognized High Plains Library District (HPLD) for supporting nursing mothers, by presenting them with the Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite and Public Venue Award.

HPLD has implemented a policy for accommodating nursing employees at work, has a private area at each of their eight locations, and allows adequate break time for nursing employees to express breastmilk. The worksite support at HPLD can make a significant difference in whether a nursing employee has enough breastmilk to feed their baby.  HPLD also supports nursing mothers from the community by allowing them to breastfeed in the library and offering them privacy if they prefer. “Colorado law supports a nursing mother to breastfeed anywhere she has a right to be, and that includes HPLD”, says Elena Rosenfeld, Associate Director of Community Engagement.

“When a mother chooses to breastfeed her child, she is giving her baby a healthy start that will last a lifetime”, says Mike Schwan, Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Program Coordinator at the Weld County Health Department. Breastfeeding also helps the mother return to her pre- pregnancy body weight and lowers her risk for numerous health problems. And while the majority of women in Colorado start breastfeeding their baby, most do not succeed in sustaining breastfeeding for the length of time necessary to achieve maximum health benefits. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies are fed only breast milk for the first six months and in combination with nutritious foods for at least one year.

WCDPHE and NCBC recognize employers who have supportive policies and procedures in place for employees with the Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksite Award. Worksites that receive the award are recognized on NCBC’s website and promoted on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nocobreastfeeding. Twenty-four businesses in Weld County have been recognized with the award. Anyone may nominate an employer for the award by submitting the nomination form located on NCBC’s website http://www.nocobreastfeeding.org.

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