Lessons Learned During Large-Scale Implementation Project Focused on Workplace Lactation Practices and Policies

Abstract

Purpose This practice-based research funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on the translation of evidence-based practices and policies into real-world applications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest study to research the implementation process for lactation accommodations and policies for work sites. Design or Approach Pre-/post-test evaluation of work-site lactation accommodations, and 6-month follow-up with business that worked on the project. Setting/Participants 34 businesses across New Hampshire. Method The team developed work-site selection criteria to award mini-grants; developed trainings and a toolkit; and worked with 34 businesses over a 3-year period. Pre-/post-implementation data were collected using the CDC work-site scorecard. A 6-month follow-up phone interview was conducted with each site. Results We assessed the CDC scorecard and evaluated the challenges of implementing lactation spaces by industry. In our 6-month follow-up, we found that spaces were still being utilized and we identified specific research to inform practical evidence-based applications and lessons learned when implementing a work-site lactation space. Conclusion We successfully provided financial/technical support to develop or improve 45 lactation spaces, with policies and practices to support mothers and families for 34 businesses. We identified key takeaway lessons that can be used to guide the development of lactation spaces and policies in work sites. Sites self-report that these work-site changes were sustainable at 6-month follow-up.