The Foreign Service Journal, May 2011

M A Y 2 0 1 1 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 53 F OCUS ON F ORE IGN S ERV ICE W ORK -L I FE B ALANCE W ORK -M ILK B ALANCE : T HE S TATE OF P UMPING n certain circles you hear stories about these women all the time. There was the one who did it in a bathroom at the Foreign Ministry after deliver- ing a démarche. Another one did it at her desk, practically in plain sight of her colleagues in neighboring cubicles. One even joked that she might do it while interviewing at the consular window. Although not an illicit or even par- ticularly controversial activity, pumping breast milk in the Foreign Service context can sometimes approach the stuff of legends. The advantages of breastfeeding are well documented, with both the breastfed child and the breastfeeding mother gaining many health benefits over the course of the nursing relationship. Being able to provide milk for their babies has become an important element of work- life balance for many Foreign Service moms — it’s a key way for them to continue nurturing their children even when they can’t physically be with them. Employers who support breastfeeding or pumping in the work- place receive tangible ben- efits such as reduced health care costs and fewer days of sick leave used, as well as intangible ones like empowered, satisfied employees. The Department of State must continue to broaden its support for breastfeeding mothers to reap these same ben- efits. Basic Needs and FS Challenges A pumping mother doesn’t need much accommodation from her employer: just an electrical outlet, a little bit of semi-private space, and a 15-20 minute break every few hours. Access to a sink and refrigerator are helpful, as well; but for those moms who find space and time at a premium, hand sanitizer and a cooler bag can make up for that. In an unclassified, domestic office setting, meeting these needs is usually possible. Supervisors allow for breaks to pump, outlets are well-placed, and refrigerators and sinks are readily available. B ROADENING ITS SUPPORT FOR BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS IS ONE WAY THE S TATE D EPARTMENT CAN HELP EMPLOYEES FIND AND MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WORK - LIFE BALANCE . B Y E LIZABETH P OWER I Elizabeth Power joined the Foreign Service in 1998 and is currently deputy chief of mission in Maseru. Her previ- ous assignments include Lagos, Montevideo, Ciudad Juarez andWashington, D.C. Since 2008, she has been an accredited leader with La Leche League International, a global mother-to-mother breastfeeding support organiza- tion.