Res. No. 62

Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to adopt the Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R.2790).

By Council Member Perkins, Lopez, Quinn, Reyna, Gonzalez, Vann, Boyland, Sears, Brewer, Barron, Clarke, Comrie, Foster, Jennings, Martinez, Weprin, Jackson and James

Whereas, Most experts agree that breast milk meets the complete nutritional needs of infants and is the best first food, fostering optimal brain development and growth and providing stronger immune systems which better protect against common illnesses; and

Whereas, Because of its considerable health benefits to infants, breastfeeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the World Health Organization and UNICEF; and

Whereas, Breastfeeding is also known to provide mothers with health benefits, such as a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer; and

Whereas, According to a 2000 Mother’s Survey conducted by Abbott Laboratories, sixty-eight percent of mothers in the United States breastfeed their newborns and thirty-one percent breastfeed their six-month old infants; and

Whereas, Many new mothers wish to continue to breastfeed after returning to work; and

Whereas, Many employers deny women the opportunity to express milk while at work, or have discharged women, withheld their pay, or removed them from shift work for requesting to express milk during lunch and other regular breaks; and

Whereas, Some women have been harassed or discriminated against as a result of their desire to express milk at work; and

Whereas, Women who wish to continue breastfeeding after returning to work require the availability of suitable, dependable breast pumps, a clean, convenient, safe and private work location to express milk, the opportunity to pump breast milk frequently enough to maintain their milk supply and an adequate place to store expressed breast milk; and

Whereas, Worksite programs designed to improve infant health may also bring about a reduction in parental absenteeism and health care costs; and

Whereas, The Breastfeeding Promotion Act would clarify the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 to ensure that breastfeeding is protected under civil rights law, by requiring that women cannot be fired or discriminated against in the workplace for expressing milk, breastfeeding or engaging in other related activities; and

Whereas, The Breastfeeding Promotion Act would also encourage employers to establish a safe, private and sanitary environment for women to express milk by providing a tax credit for employers who purchase or rent lactation-related equipment or hire a lactation consultant to promote a lactation-friendly environment; and

Whereas, In light of the fact that there are products on the market designed to assist women in expressing milk which are not very effective or efficient, this bill would also require the Food and Drug Administration to develop minimum quality standards for breast pumps; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to adopt the Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R.2790).