As your constituent and a pediatrician, I urge you to cosponsor H.R. 2236, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act, introduced by Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Christopher Shays.

Breastfeeding has proven to have numerous health benefits for both mother and child. Studies show that children who are breastfed have lower rates of mortality, meningitis, some types of cancers, asthma and other respiratory illnesses, bacterial and viral infections, ear infections, juvenile diabetes, some chronic liver diseases, allergies and obesity. Due to the resounding evidence of improved child health and well-being, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, but continue breastfeeding for at least the first year of a child's life.

Many women do not breastfeed or stop breastfeeding because they work in environments that do not allow them to take breaks to pump their breastmilk in private areas. Breastfeeding women who work in supportive work settings have less absenteeism, lower health care spending, and greater job satisfaction than women who work in unsupportive environments. The Breastfeeding Promotion Act would take significant steps toward protecting all breastfeeding mothers from discrimination and encouraging new mothers to breastfeed. In addition, it would provide a tax credit to employers that provide support for breastfeeding mothers.

Currently, only 14 states have laws related to breastfeeding and the workplace. H.R. 2236 would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to extend and unify this protection and grant all breastfeeding women protection from workplace discrimination. This bill would also provide tax credits for businesses that purchase breast pumps and allow breastfeeding equipment expenses to be reimbursed under medical savings accounts or flexible spending accounts.

Please cosponsor H.R. 2236 to move beyond the patchwork of state laws and to encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies. All new mothers deserve the opportunity and support to breastfeed their children.