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Breastfeeding in the District  
February 11, 5:37 PM DC Women's Issues ExaminerLatraniecesa Johnson-Wilson
Breastfeeding moms in the District have a lot to smile about since they are now protected by anti-discrimination rules, requiring employers to provide reasonable breaks for nursing mothers. The legislation also requires an employer to provide a sanitary room or other location, other than a bathroom or toilet stall.
The D.C. Council adopted a breastfeeding nondiscrimination law in late 2007, but regulations ensuring women the right to breastfeed their children did not take effect until September 31st 2009.
Employers and employees remain in the dark when it comes to laws regarding breastfeeding. In one case a D.C. woman was asked to leave a restaurant because she was breastfeeding, after filing a complaint, the restaurant later acknowledged it was at fault. In a California case, the Fair Employment and Housing commission awarded a Los Angeles woman 20,000 for emotional distress and 79 weeks of back pay after ruling that she had not been allowed reasonable time to breastfeed her infant.
According to the National Conference of State Legislation, 43 states have laws with language specifically allowing women to breastfeed in any public or private location. Twenty-eight states exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws while 24 states have laws related to breastfeeding in the workplace. There are 12 states that exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty and five states that have implemented or encouraged the development of a breastfeeding awareness education campaign.
Other laws in states near the District such as Virginia allow women to breastfeed on any land or property owned by the state. While Maryland exempts the sale of tangible personal property that is manufactured for the purpose of initiating, supporting or sustaining breastfeeding from the sales and use tax.
Breastfeeding protects babies from disease and is associated with lower rates of sudden infant death syndrome, childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and leukemia, according to the U.S. surgeon general. It may also help protect mothers from some cancers. According to the World Health Organization, breasfeeding is the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth. Breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complimentary foods up to two years and beyond.
Pat Shelly, the Director and founder of The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington said there's an increase in breastfeeding. She said their are small issues associated with breastfeeding, for example mothers who have a hard time breastfeeding their first week , don't have the extra time to keep trying so they stop because they feel its not good use of their maternity leave, where as stay at home moms have more time. Pat encourages women to "get the right information when it comes to breastfeeding and seek out an expert."
When looking for a family friendly facility in the District look for the International Breast Feeding symbol. If you do not know the symbol here's a link and most importantly know your rights.
Local companies
The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington
2141 K Street NW, Suite 3
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 293-5182
Infant Care
KinderCare. A Caring, Innovative & Fun Approach to Early Learning.
Affordable Infant Care
Trained Live-in Au Pairs at $7/hr. 1 Year Program. Request a Brochure.
La Petite Academy
866-889-9654
KinderCare Learning Centers
877-550-7740
The Goddard School
877-760-9848
Owl School
202-828-1001
1920 G St NW
Washington, DC 20006
National Association Of Public Hospitals & Health Systems
(202) 585-0100
1301 Pennsylvania Ave Nw Ste 950
Washington, DC
Howard University Hospital
(202) 865-6100
2041 Georgia Ave NW
Washington, DC
The George Washington Univ. Medical Faculty
(202) 741-3381
2150 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC
Capitol Hill Hospital
(202) 269-8732
700 Constitution Ave Ne
Washington, DC
Providence Hospital
(202) 269-7135
1150 Varnum St., NE
Washington, DC
Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc.
(202) 797-3520
1701 14th St., NW
Washington, DC
Children's National Medical Center
(202) 476-4933
111 Michigan Ave., NW
Washington, DC
The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington
2141 K Street NW, Suite 3
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 293-5182
Products for Nursing Mothers:
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