County Board Approves Breastfeeding Policy

A policy to reduce barriers to breastfeeding in Washtenaw County facilities was approved by the county board of commissioners at its Oct. 17, 2012 meeting. [.pdf of draft breastfeeding policy] The board had been briefed on the issue at a Sept. 20 working session.

The policy states: ”In all County leased and owned buildings and property, and at all County-sponsored meetings, regardless of location, a mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother and her child are otherwise authorized to be.” There will be ”Breastfeeding Friendly” signs installed to promote the policy.

The goal is to promote “health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, social and economic benefits for infants, mothers, families and communities” that are associated with breastfeeding, according to a staff memo.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor, where the board of commissioners holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]