Because this week (August 1st-8th) is World Breastfeeding Week, we wanted to share a recent honor that Graco will be awarded and is very proud of – the 2008 Breastfeeding Friendly Business Award. The Maternity Care Coalition and the Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Coalition recognize employers and businesses each year that provide a top notch environment for nursing mothers. Graco offers Mother’s of infants a private, safe, accessible, and comfortable place to take care of their breastfeeding needs along with a comprehensive program to prepare them for and support them through the breastfeeding experience.
Graco’s nursing mother’s room is fully equipped with a hospital grade pump, comfortable chairs, a Pack ‘n Play (for when infants have joined their moms on-site), a refrigerator, and even a bulletin board for moms to post baby pictures and helpful/interesting articles. This room is extremely private and since I had never actually been inside, I snuck in to take a peek and share a shot of it here with you!
Of course a nursing mother’s room is really only necessary if a mom is successful in being able to nurse her baby. This is also where Graco plays a large role in supporting our moms so they can meet their personal breastfeeding goals. Graco provides the services of a board certified lactation consultant who presents pre-natal seminars, provides telephone consultations and support for 6 weeks after birth and on-site personal consultations when mom is ready to return to work to ensure a full understanding of our onsite equipment and issues related to pumping and storage of breast milk. All services are provided to employees and spouses free of charge. And of course, in order to pump breast milk after returning to work, employees are each given their own personal equipment needed to use our onsite resources.
In addition to the accommodations and resources that new mom’s are provided, Graco certainly offers the support and flexibility that is essential to help moms nurse their children with ease as long as they desire.
Here are a few quotes from Graco mother’s that have utilized this program.
“Graco goes above and beyond any company I’ve worked for before. Graco has made it SO much easier for me – making it one less thing to stress over! I definitely don’t need any additional stress so a big THANKS is definitely in order!” -Amy Sleep (Director, Strollers & Travel Systems and Blogger)
“I wanted to send my personal thanks for this great program. I am currently enjoying the benefits of the program first hand, and can share with you that it is incredibly helpful to have this type of support. Congratulations on your much deserved recognition!”
-Kristen DeLoach (Online Marketing Manager and Blogger)
“As a first-time expectant, I had read all about the benefits of nursing. I made the choice to nurse my son, hoping to continue upon my return to work. Knowing that I would have access to the mother’s lounge was such a huge relief. I never needed to worry about trying to find a quiet, private, comfortable place to go. After comparing experiences with a few of my ‘new-mom’ friends, I realized just how fortunate I am to work for such a ‘family-friendly’ company.”
-Jennifer Brunick (Marketing Specification Manager)
None of this would ever have been possible without the willingness and desire of Darlene Radcliffe (HR Manager) to support the parents at Graco and make sure that Graco is a progressive, family-friendly company. Also making this possible is our own Lindsay Lebresco who was the pioneer in helping to start this program not only for herself but for all new moms at Graco, who ultimately had the same desire to nurse their children as long as possible, even after returning to the workforce.
Thank you Graco, for making this AMAZING program possible!!
That is so cool that Graco is so supportive of nursing moms. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more company’s were? You are a great role model!!
How fantastic! I commend Graco for creating such a wonderful environment for their employees and empowering women to continue nursing should they choose to do so (and educating them beforehand, too). It’s nice to hear that they are so supportive and strive for that work-life balance. Guess there are some companies that actually do “get it” – go the extra mile and you’ll have happier, better performing employees that stay!
Way to go Graco!
I continue to be amazed at how few companies make the effort to make nursing moms back at work more comfortable. I can tell you that I work at Showtime Networks and have had 2 kids while there and they provide the same setup as Graco..plus there are TV’s in the cubbies to watch while you’re pumping. After all, there’s not alot to do whlie you’re sitting there 2 or 3 times a day. I’m well past my pumping days but I still appreciate Showtime’s consideration.
It does seem amazing that this isn’t a given by companies these days but sometime it takes the desire of the employees to make things happen. I think most companies would actually say yes to most of these requests but perhaps they wouldn’t make it a priority until they realize the need.
Thanks for the comments and I will keep in mind the “need” to have TVs!
Wow, kudos to Graco. I’m totally sitting here in shock and awe by all this company does to help breastfeeding Mothers. Although the company I worked for did allow me to pump they certainly didn’t allow the baby to come along for nursing or offer assistance if I had issues with nursing. What a beautiful company. You nursing Mothers are quite blessed to work with Graco!
Nell
PS
The more I learn about Graco in this way the more I want to support the company by purchasing their products!
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