Fargo Cass Public Health today honored the 40 local businesses who are designated as Infant Friendly Workplaces, and relaunched FMbreastfeeding.com during a morning press conference.
“We are really excited to have 40 businesses that have been designated as Infant Friendly. If a child is breastfed for a certain amount of time they have less sickness, and often times for a mother, you are then in to the doctor less. We see this as an important element for our workforce,” Fargo Mayor and physician Dr. Tim Mahoney said at the conference. “In the end, it’s all about what we make Fargo and Moorhead as a community as a place where people want to come and work and live.”
“Having a safe and comfortable place to pump for a new mom is so huge. It relieves so much anxiety and stress on an already stressful transition for a new mom. It’s made a huge impact on me,” Kate Bjorklund, said. Bjorklund has two children and works at Discovery Benefits. Bjorklund explained in the past year she has pumped breastmilk an estimated 2,100 times. “I’ve pumped many places. As a new mom, the anxiety of just having enough milk to feed your infant for a year is a lot, let alone having that additional anxiety about where you are going to pump. I feel so grateful that Discovery Benefits has offered mothers’ rooms during that transition as a new mom coming back to work. I never had to have those anxieties or those worries.”
“It’s been a wonderful experience for myself personally and then to watch my staff enjoy that space as well,” Rebecca Knutson of Floor to Ceiling Carpet One, said about the mothers room at the company. She described how Floor to Ceiling created space and a policy to support new mothers. “When a young mother comes back to work, we knew we needed a space for them to take this time and for them to feel comfortable. We just talked to the management team and there was no question. It’s been wonderful to see the support from our management and staff.”
For a complete listing of businesses in the area that are Infant Friendly, visit FMbreastfeeding.com.
During the press conference, the Breastfeeding Coordinator for Fargo Cass Public Health, Michelle Draxten, also noted there are free #B2Wmom classes, educational materials and supportive programs for new moms.
The #B2Wmom classes are offered at Fargo Cass Public Health at the following times:
- Preparing to Go Back to Work at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 11 and at 6 p.m. Thursday April 19
- Breastfeeding + Working + Bonding + Parenting at 11 a.m., Wednesday May 9 and at 6 p.m., Thursday May 17
All mothers or pregnant women are encouraged to attend one or all of the classes.
To register for the classes visit FMbreastfeeding.com, email FM Breastfeeding, call 701.476.6677 or visit the Fargo Cass Public Health Facebook page.