The South Dakota Department of Health’s 2015-2020 Strategic Plan goal to increase the proportion of mothers who breastfeed their babies has led to a pilot program in Brookings. The program aims to encourage local businesses to take an online pledge to support breastfeeding customers and employees.

Brookings Supports Breastfeeding is a group of health professionals and educators who are working with the department to reach out to Brookings businesses to take the Breastfeeding-Friendly Business Pledge and support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace, whether they are employees or customers.
“The Breastfeeding-Friendly Business Pledge commits a business to providing an environment where mothers can enjoy a welcoming attitude from staff, management and other patrons while breastfeeding and accommodating employees to allow appropriate time and space necessary to pump. Businesses will also hang a Breastfeeding Welcome Here window cling in each public entrance to the business establishment. The pledge demonstrates a commitment to mothers, children and families in Brookings,” said Brookings Health System’s Obstetrics Director Mary Schwaegerl.

Businesses that sign the pledge will receive a Breastfeeding-Friendly Business Kit which includes the Breastfeeding Welcome Here window cling, information on the benefits to mothers, babies and businesses, staff education tips, model policy language and more.

Brookings Health System, South Dakota State University and the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce were the primary partners represented by the Brookings Supports Breastfeeding team and the first to sign the pledge. The City of Brookings, Brookings County, 3M, Children’s Museum, and Hy-Vee also took the pledge to support breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits to mothers and babies, but it is also good for businesses. Breastfeeding mothers are more likely to patronize businesses where they feel comfortable and businesses with breastfeeding programs have higher employee retention rates,” said Megan Hlavacek, healthy foods coordinator for the department. “Breastfeeding moms also miss work less often and report higher work satisfaction and productivity.”

After completing the Brookings pilot, the department will assess outcomes and discuss opportunities to expand the initiative to other communities statewide.


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