title: Policies aren't enough: the importance of interpersonal communication about workplace breastfeeding support.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Formal policies can establish guidelines and expectations for workplace breastfeeding support. However, interpersonal communication between employees and managers is the context where such policies are explained, negotiated, and implemented. As such, this article focuses on interpersonal communication about breastfeeding support in the workplace.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this article is to describe interpersonal communication related to workplace breastfeeding support.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted 3 focus groups with 23 business representatives from a rural city in the Midwest United States. Participants were recruited through the area chamber of commerce. We analyzed the transcripts of the focus groups and derived themes related to the study objective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our analysis of responses from business representatives in the focus groups revealed 3 major themes about interpersonal communication concerning breastfeeding support in the workplace: (1) interpersonal communication may be more important than written communication for enacting breastfeeding support, (2) multiple factors (age, sex, and power dynamics) complicate the interpersonal communication required to enact breastfeeding support in local businesses, and (3) positive interpersonal communication strategies may improve the success of workplace breastfeeding support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interpersonal communication between employees and managers is where the specifics of workplace breastfeeding support (eg, policies) are determined and applied. Interpersonal communication about breastfeeding can be challenging due to issues such as age, sex, and power dynamics. However, positive and open interpersonal communication can enhance workplace breastfeeding support.
authors: South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA Jennifer.Anderson@sdstate.edu.
authors: Jenn
authors: J
authors: Anderson
authors: South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA.
authors: Rebecca A
authors: RA
authors: Kuehl
authors: Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN, USA.
authors: Sara A Mehltretter
authors: SA
authors: Drury
authors: South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA.
authors: Lois
authors: L
authors: Tschetter
authors: Brookings Health System, Brookings, SD, USA.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Schwaegerl
authors: JM Birth Consultants, Brookings, SD, USA.
authors: Marilyn
authors: M
authors: Hildreth
authors: Breastfeeding Education & Support Team, Brookings, SD, USA.
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Bachman
authors: Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, Brookings, SD, USA.
authors: Heidi
authors: H
authors: Gullickson
authors: Brookings Health System, Brookings, SD, USA.
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Yoder
authors: Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, Brookings, SD, USA.
authors: Jamison
authors: J
authors: Lamp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D000068101:Maternal-Child Health Services; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011247:Pregnancy; D012423:Rural Health; D012944:Social Support; D013023:South Dakota; D017132:Workplace
keywords: breast pumping; breastfeeding; breastfeeding support; communication; employers; focus groups; workplace