Child Development – Arizona Department of Public Health Offices Adapt To Motherhood

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

The program began in 2000 when a nutrition worker in the public health office asked if she could bring her baby to work while she continued to nurse.  The head of the nutrition office complied as she was once a nursing mother herself who had to pump breast milk in a store room that didn’t lock.  It worked out so well that other departments have followed suit, allowing nursing moms to bring their babies to work until they are 6 months old.  In October of this year, a father asked to bring his infant to work as well, so the department expanded the program to remove the nursing requirement.  There are currently 50 babies attending work with their parents.

As with any company policy, ground rules must be in place.  In order to avoid animosity between co-workers, if the baby is crying, mom must take her away from the work place.  In addition, parents must sign an agreement that their work still needs to get done.  Even skeptics of the program have come around, stating it really "sends home" the messages the health department advocates; for everything from hand washing to immunizations.  The program has even been a selling point for future employees. 

Taking your baby to work is not for everyone, as some mothers felt it was too difficult to get anything accomplished but still feel it is comforting to have the option.  Similar programs are currently being adopted in around 70 companies nation wide, according to the Parenting In the Workplace Institute.  It is going to take some time before more companies see the benefits of programs like these.  Until then, visit Work It, Mom for more tips on how to handle returning to work.