The Australian Breastfeeding Association is pleased to launch a dedicated website for its Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Accreditation (BFWA) program – www.breastfeedingfriendly.com.au

The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that 118,000 Australian women return to paid work when their child is aged 6 months or younger. Therefore, workplace support is crucial if we are to reach National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and World Health Organisation recommendations for ongoing breastfeeding to two years and beyond.

The accreditation program offers a consultancy service for employers which results in employment conditions which make it easier for women to combine breastfeeding and paid work. It aims to remove the workplace as a barrier to the initiation and duration of breastfeeding. For employers, accreditation is a tool to optimise recruitment and retention strategies and it demonstrates a commitment to equal employment opportunity, employee health and well being, workplace diversity and corporate social responsibility.

A list of accredited workplaces can be viewed on the website as well as information for mothers and employers about breastfeeding and paid work.

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