Healthy Communities

Breastfeeding Information and Support

Breastfeeding creates a special bond between mothers and babies. Whether you have already decided to breastfeed or simply want more information, WIC is here to answer your questions and help make breastfeeding work for you and your baby.

Your local health unit has qualified WIC staff who can answer your questions and help you get breastfeeding off to a good start. Call for an appointment today. Click here to find your nearest health unit.

You can also get help with breastfeeding 24 hours a day/seven days a week by calling the Arkansas WIC Breastfeeding Helpline at 1-800-445-6175.

For updates and more information, visit:

Breastfeeding Rights   

Arkansas has two laws that support breastfeeding families. They protect a woman’s right to breastfeed in public and require employers to provide reasonable unpaid break time to employees who need to express or pump breast milk.

Act 680: 20-27-2001. Breastfeeding in public.

A woman may breastfeed a child in a public place or any place where other individuals are present. The 2007 law also amended the AR indecency law (Code 5-14-112) to provide protection from prosecution for indecent exposure.

Act 621: 11-5-116. Break time for expressing breast milk.

Summary: An employer shall provide: 1) reasonable unpaid break time and 2) a reasonable private, secure and sanitary location other than a toilet and close to work location. The employee shall make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption to employer’s operations.

Click here for Arkansas breastfeeding law details.

There are also federal laws that protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers.

For more details, visit:

Additional Breastfeeding Rights and Laws

Breastfeeding Resources

 

Public Health Accrediation Board
Arkansas Department of Health
© 2017 Arkansas Department of Health. All Rights Reserved. www.healthy.arkansas.gov
4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
1-800-462-0599