Breastfeeding offers profound health benefits for both infants and parents, yet many new parents face barriers to breastfeeding success. ARC Fertility recognizes that employers play a critical role in facilitating breastfeeding success. By offering flexible, accessible breastfeeding support, employers can significantly reduce stress for new parents and enhance productivity, engagement and loyalty within their workforce.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently released a draft recommendation urging healthcare providers to offer supportive counseling for breastfeeding, recognizing its potential to improve health outcomes and boost breastfeeding rates in the United States.
Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of infections in infants, lower the likelihood of chronic conditions like asthma and contribute positively to maternal mental and physical health. However, current CDC data reveals that while 78.6% of U.S. infants receive some breast milk at one month, only 55.8% continue breastfeeding at six months.
This decline points to the need for continuous, accessible support, especially as many new parents struggle with balancing breastfeeding goals alongside professional and personal responsibilities.
How ARC Fertility’s Approach to Breastfeeding Support Benefits Employers
Here’s how ARC helps:
- Counseling and Educational Resources
ARC provides counseling and educational resources tailored to each family’s needs, offering a range of breastfeeding support through its partners. Through ARC’s extensive network of healthcare providers and resources, employees have access to expert advice, information on breastfeeding techniques and emotional support as they navigate the unique challenges of breastfeeding. - Personalized Support for New Parents
ARC’s Care Navigators offer personalized support to new parents and referral to needed services. This includes referral to lactation experts. This one-on-one assistance helps parents overcome practical and psychological challenges, whether they are seeking advice on breastfeeding positions, managing breastfeeding with work responsibilities or coping with anxiety and uncertainty. Personalized care empowers employees to meet their breastfeeding goals with confidence. - Flexible, Inclusive Options for All Employees
Recognizing the diversity of employee needs, ARC’s approach to breastfeeding support is inclusive and adaptable. ARC Fertility’s support extends to LGBTQ+ individuals, single parents and others who may face additional barriers to breastfeeding. By ensuring culturally sensitive, individualized options, ARC supports a diverse workforce and strengthens a workplace culture of equity and inclusion. - Holistic Health Benefits Beyond Breastfeeding
ARC’s breastfeeding support is part of a broader suite of family-forming benefits, including fertility care, maternity support and postpartum resources. This holistic approach allows employees to access integrated support at every stage of their family journey, from preconception to birth and beyond. By empowering new parents with a full spectrum of care, ARC helps employees balance work and family life with less stress.
The Value for Employers
Employers who offer structured breastfeeding support see measurable improvements in workforce well-being and loyalty. Partnering with ARC Fertility to provide these resources brings many advantages, including:
- Higher Employee Satisfaction and Retention: When employees feel supported in their family-forming and breastfeeding journeys, they are more likely to stay engaged and committed to their workplace.
- Increased Productivity: Providing resources that support physical and mental health can minimize work disruptions, helping new parents maintain focus and productivity.
- Enhanced DEI Outcomes: Offering inclusive family-forming benefits demonstrates a commitment to diversity and equity, creating a more welcoming workplace for all employees.
- Cost Savings: Supporting preventive health measures like breastfeeding can reduce healthcare costs over time, benefiting both employees and the organization.
Building a Supportive, Family-Friendly Workplace
ARC Fertility believes that breastfeeding support is an integral part of a comprehensive family-forming benefits package. With a high-quality, cost-effective and flexible approach, ARC Fertility is uniquely positioned to help employers provide essential resources that empower employees in their family-forming journey.
Together, we can help foster a workplace culture where employees feel understood, supported and able to thrive in both their professional and personal lives.
To learn more about how ARC Fertility’s solutions can help you provide high-quality, inclusive family-forming benefits, contact us today.
