Moms, advocates: State should do more to allow breastfeeding

Published 1:00 pm Saturday, September 21, 2019

BIRMINGHAM (AP) — Advocates for breastfeeding say Alabama employers should do a better job of allowing the practice at work.

Al.com reports that at least 29 states have laws that protect breastfeeding and pumping breast milk at work — but Alabama is not among them.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Alabama has the third-lowest breastfeeding rate in the nation.

Gayle Whatley, a registered nurse and vice chairwoman of the Alabama Breastfeeding Committee, says that Alabama mothers tend to quit breast-feeding sooner than women elsewhere. She says that’s happening because of the lack of knowledge and support from their employers.

Some Alabama mothers want to see that change.

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