Army releases servicewide breastfeeding policy, what are your thoughts on this new policy?

2015-09-30T15:47:56-04:00

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2015/09/30/army-releases-servicewide-breastfeeding-policy/73095462/

Army releases servicewide breastfeeding policy

The Army on Tuesday became the final military branch to issue a servicewide breastfeeding policy

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 3:50 PM

2015-09-30T15:50:20-04:00

Long overdue. Not sure why it took so long to make the policy. Worth noting though, most were being given the opportunity to pump/breastfeed without issue regardless of the policy.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 3:50 PM

2015-09-30T15:50:25-04:00

Do they mean a pumping room or bring your kids to lunch?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 3:51 PM

2015-09-30T15:51:05-04:00

Good. Glad these new moms now have a policy that will work for them.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 3:53 PM

2015-09-30T15:53:12-04:00

Everywhere else in the civilized world has a policy on it, it would seem fit that the Armed Forces do the same.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 30 at 2015 3:55 PM

2015-09-30T15:55:01-04:00

Can common sense ever prevail in the military? Do we really have to have a regulation outlining breaks on breastfeeding? I'm thinkin too hard.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Sep 30 at 2015 4:03 PM

2015-09-30T16:03:47-04:00

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member iam beyond that age!

Response by SSG Gene Carroll SR. made Sep 30 at 2015 4:50 PM

2015-09-30T16:50:30-04:00

It's no more right to give that time of privacy to a mother and her child. The services are dragging women veterans thur disgrace for nothing but male. (man hood) But in alot of cases I' rather have a women beside me in a combat situation then some call men. I am tired seeing women brought up in every situation that pops up about the military service.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 8:34 PM

2015-09-30T20:34:07-04:00

Funny you should ask this, just received my new BN CDR's policy memo's and he wrote a policy memo for breastfeeding.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 8:39 PM

2015-09-30T20:39:13-04:00

Like everything in the army. There has to be a policy stating SOP or people will run amuck with it.
The only thing I'd add is that of a placard that can be hung out front the area that the SM is breastfeeding/pumping. To notify those outside not to disturb the mother or unnessarily knock.

Response by Cpl Clinton Britt made Sep 30 at 2015 9:22 PM

2015-09-30T21:22:35-04:00

I don't really care either way. There isn't anything wrong with it. As long as it is done in taste

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 8:59 AM

2015-10-01T08:59:52-04:00

The reason a policy has to exist is because Soldiers are not receiving the support they need to ensure they are able to maintain their milk supply and provide the best nutrition for their child. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastmilk until 12 months of age. If leaders are not aware of the needs of these new Moms, and these Moms are not able to pump as often as they need to in order to maintain their supply one of two things will happen - 1. They will suffer from mastitis and blocked ducts because they are unable to pump and/or 2. Their supply will decrease, which will prevent them from continuing to breastfeed. This is not to say that those Moms who formula feed aren't providing for their children as well. Any Mom who is ensuring that her child's nutritional needs are met is doing a phenomenal job. Not all women are able to breastfeed, and I understand and empathize with that.

The most common cause of early cessation of breastfeeding is lack of employer support. I don't think that it is a lack of caring on the part of leadership, but more so of lack of knowledge and education. This policy is going to create dialogue between the medical and leadership lanes to make sure this happens. Moms who breastfeed are less likely to suffer from post-partum depression, diabetes, hypertension and other cardiac disease, lowers risk of various cancers, and assists with weight loss and return to pre-baby weight in addition to the health benefits to the child. Children who are breastfed (or receive pumped breastmilk) are less likely to have sick-baby visits, which means that the parents are staying home less with a sick child - this translates to more productive parents because they are not on quarters to care of an ill child.

I have had Soldiers who have been so dedicated to continuing to breastfeed that they have pumped in their cars. I personally have pumped in my car, in my office, in a phone booth at the Denver Airport USO, and an A/V Room at Fort Rucker. This policy ensures that women don't have to skulk into a corner or a dirty restroom to be able to continue to pump. This has almost zero mission impact - the 20 or so minutes it would take to pump is nothing compared to the number of Soldiers who take smoke breaks every day. If you feel it is going to decrease productivity, you had better start weaning your other Soldiers off the nicotine because they take more time than a pumping Mom will. Soldiers typically pump before PT, after PT during personal hygeine time, during lunch, and again in the afternoon (roughly every 3 hours). That means that the only time they are using to pump that is not already a designated break or personal time is once in the afternoon.

TL:DR Version: This is a good thing. Leaders should make every effort to support this and support their new Moms.