Thank you to the businesses that signed the Breastfeeding Welcomed Here Pledge
The Knox County Health Department (KCHD), East Tennessee Breastfeeding Coalition and Junior League of Knoxville held an event this month to build awareness of and participation in the Breastfeeding Welcomed Here initiative, which is funded under an agreement with the state Department of Health. More than 30 businesses and organizations were recognized for signing the pledge. They include:
A study published in 2010 in the journal Pediatrics estimated that the nation would save $13 billion per year in health care and other costs if 90% of U.S. babies were exclusively breastfed for six months.
AJCC Preschool
Bread of Life
Burlington Branch Library
Cedar Bluff Dental Center, P.C.
Chick-Fil-A (Parkside Drive)
Cirkel LLC
City of Knoxville - Office of Business Support
Cozy Kids Daycare
CQ Photography
Cruze Dairy Farm
Davis Center for Child Development
DMG Bluegill
Edfinancial
Exedy America Corporation
Heliotropic Healing
Honey Dew Naturals
Junior League of Knoxville
Just Ripe
Knox County Health Department
Knoxville Pediatric Associates (Grigsby Chapel)
Knoxville Pediatric Associates (Weisgarber)
Knoxville TVA Credit Union
La Petite Academy
La Selva MedSpa & Reflexology
LBMC
Lisa Ross Birth and Women’s Center
Lockmiller PR
Lox Salon
Magpies Bakery
Morris Creative Group LLC
Mr. Sandman Hardwood Flooring Specialists
Oodles Uncorked
Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutritional Support, PC
Pups N Pals
Renal Management Company
Robledo Translations, LLC
Soccer Taco
Steamboat Sandwiches
Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
Three Rivers Market
Traditional Health Clinic & Spa
Vitamin Shoppe
Yalad Maternity Services
By participating, businesses agree to:
- Provide a welcoming environment where breastfeeding mothers are able to sit anywhere and enjoy a friendly attitude from staff and customers;
- Educate staff about Tennessee law regarding breastfeeding and how to handle complaints and concerns; and
- Display a window graphic that will alert moms to public locations where they can breastfeed comfortably.
Breastfeeding has many known health benefits, not the least of which includes a reduced risk of obesity for the baby (1) and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes for both mother (2) and child (3). Spearheaded locally by the Knox County Health Department and the East Tennessee Breastfeeding Coalition, the Breastfeeding Welcomed Here Pledge is designed to encourage more women to breastfeed their babies and to do so for a longer duration by making our community friendlier to breastfeeding families. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the lack of support for breastfeeding is one of the obstacles to its success.
Tennessee law protects a mother’s right to breastfeed her child in public. Women returning to work after maternity leave are also protected if they wish to express milk for their children. Tennessee law (TCA 68-58-101) permits a mother to breastfeed in any location, public or private, where she is authorized to be.
Click here to sign the pledge.
This project is funded under an agreement with the state of Tennessee
