Rhea Carithers, a lactation consultant with Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., holds Rebecca Newnum's (far right) 11-week-old daughter Emily in her arms Aug. 2 during one of the hospital's Moms Own Milk group sessions. MO...
The U.S. Army Secretary John McHugh's approval of Army Directive 2015-37 (Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Policy) brings forth a new era of support for mothers within the Army community.
The Army has recently reviewed its policies governing breastfeeding and lactation support for female Soldiers. Through continuous consultations with commanders, female Soldiers and medical experts, the Army offices were able to draft the directive.
The directive offers basic guidelines on methods of support, facility requirements and related concerns. For instance, Soldiers returning to duty from maternity leave should notify their chain of command they wish to breastfeed; this will allow the command to determine how to best support the Soldier.
Commanders should provide breast-feeding Soldiers with a designated private space with locking capabilities, an electrical outlet and access to a safe water source for pumping during work hours. That space will not be a bathroom stall. If it's located in a restroom, it must be a fully enclosed, separate area for lactation.
Unlike the Air Force's policy which gives specific guidance, the directive did not state how many breaks a breastfeeding Soldier should be allowed or how much time should be given. Since the amount of time needed to express milk depends on several factors such as the baby's age or distance from the workplace, the Army didn't specify it.
Breastfeeding Soldiers remain eligible for field training and other exercises, but commanders must provide private space to express milk during such activities.
In addition, the directive indicates that Soldiers must prepare their own supplies to express and store their breast milk.
The directive applies immediately to active-duty, Army National Guard, Army Reserve members.
The directive also stated that lactation counseling is available to help both Soldiers and commanders at their local military treatment facilities as a component to the Army's commitment to sustaining the readiness of Soldiers and Families.
For more information and to read the policy letters, please visit www.army.mil/yongsan.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan Homepage
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