INDIANAPOLIS - State health officials want Hoosiers to know the importance of breastfeeding and why it is the best source of nutrition for babies.

"A mother's milk is the best nutrition for her baby," said Judith Ganser, M.D., medical director for Maternal and Child Health at the Indiana State Department of Health.  "Babies who are breastfed are less likely to get sick or to become obese.  For premature infants, it's the best defense against life-threatening infections.  Breastfeeding is nature's prescription for a healthy baby."

Indiana has recently taken several steps to increase awareness and address issues about breastfeeding. The 2008 Indiana General Assembly passed Breastfeeding in the Workplace (SEA 219), a new law effective July 1 for employers with 25 or more employees, to ensure breastfeeding employees have time and a private location, other than a bathroom, to pump milk during their working hours. 

The Indiana State Department of Health is partnering with the Indiana Perinatal Network to help businesses implement the new law and build coalitions around the state.  A full-time breastfeeding coordinator will work with coalitions in their respective communities to provide information and assistance to businesses. One resource to help businesses implement the new law is the "Born to Be Breastfed" campaign, which provides education and promotional materials.

"I encourage everyone to support breastfeeding and breastfeeding mothers," said Tina Cardarelli, Indiana breastfeeding coordinator.  "It's good for babies and it's good for business.  Breastfeeding-friendly businesses save money through reduced absenteeism and lower health care costs."

Additionally, Indiana was chosen by the Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) as one of only 10 states in the nation, and the only state in the Midwest, to launch The Business Case for Breastfeeding, a program to encourage and support working women in breastfeeding their infants for a longer duration after they return to work.

State health officials say if the number of women breastfeeding in Indiana increased to 75 percent, Indiana could save close to $8 million.

For more information about breastfeeding in Indiana, go to http://www.indianaperinatal.org/programs-breastfeeding.aspx.

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