The World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life. Besides providing the best nutrients for growth, breastfeeding helps to decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, asthma, leukemia, and infections in babies. However, only 27% of private industry workers in the United States have access to paid family leave. Women with children are the workforce's fastest-growing segment, yet 1 in 3 lack reliable lactation space and half lack time during the day for pumping breaks. Consequently, breastfeeding rates plummet in the first six months as new moms return to work. New mothers should not be forced to choose between breastfeeding their babies and returning to work.

The barriers to breastfeeding at work are real; as a result, both employees and employers are suffering. The total investment to hire one new employee (at the average U.S. salary of $60,000/year) can exceed $180,000. This is well over 15x the cost to implement adequate breastfeeding support infrastructure like lactation pods, workplace policies and employee education. Investing in lactation spaces and creating a supportive company culture around breastfeeding will help meet the needs of working mothers and retain and attract top talent, ultimately cutting turnover costs.