Carver County, MN
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Breastfeeding provides the best possible nutrition for babies, and offers many other benefits, including:
- Easier to digest than formula
- Antibodies that help to protect against viruses and bacteria
- Reduced risk of developing allergies and asthma
- Fewer ear infections
- Reduced likelihood of developing diabetes or becoming obese later in life
Moms who breastfeed also enjoy benefits because breastfeeding:
- Releases oxytocin (a hormone that encourages the uterus to shrink and can reduce bleeding after delivery)
- Decreases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis later in life
- Saves time and money (eliminates the need to purchase and prepare formula, fewer doctor bills and medication costs)
Breastfeeding Support
Although breastfeeding is a natural process, it often takes time and practice. Finding a good breastfeeding support system can prevent you from weaning before you and your baby are ready. You can find support from the breastfeeding community resources noted below.
Minnesota Laws Protecting Breastfeeding
- Minnesota employers must provide reasonable break time for nursing mothers to express breast milk. The break times may run concurrently with any break times already provided to the employee. An employer may not reduce an employee's compensation for break time taken to express breast milk.
- Minnesota employers must provide a private space close to the work area for an employee to express breast milk that is not a bathroom, is shielded from view, is free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, and has access to an electrical outlet.
- Minnesota law allows a mother to breastfeed in any location – public or private – where the mother and child are allowed to be. A mother may breastfeed anywhere even if the nipple or breast is uncovered while breastfeeding. Breastfeeding in public is not a violation of Minnesota’s indecent exposure laws.
View Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry website for more details.