Totes/Isotoner fired a lactating woman named LaNisa Allen for taking “unauthorized breaks” to express milk from her breasts for her child. Here is my letter to them letting them know of my disgust. Feel free to reuse it.
To: customeraffairs@totes.com, awalters@northlich.com
Subject: LaNisa Allen and lactation breaks
As a human being, woman, mother and last but not least a Totes/Isotoner customer, I am appalled and outraged that you terminated LaNisa Allen for taking breaks to express her breastmilk for her child.
Are you not aware of the benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child? Not only does the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that women breastfeed their child exclusively for the first 6 months of life and for at least 12 months, it is a scientific fact that breastmilk is the norm for feeding infants and as such makes for a much healthier child and mother. Breast milk contains antibodies that protect infants from bacteria and viruses. Breastfed children have fewer ear infections, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and have diarrhea less often. Infants who are exclusively breastfed tend to need fewer health care visits, prescriptions and hospitalizations resulting in a lower total medical care cost compared to never-breastfed infants. Breastfeeding also provides long-term preventative effects for the mother, including an earlier return to pre-pregnancy weight, reduced risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer and osteoporosis.
In case you missed the point of my telling you this: Breastmilk-fed babies get sick less often and require mothers to take less time off to care for them. At the very least, a company that employs women should be aware of this. A breastfeeding woman typically needs to pump every 2-3 hours for about 15 minutes at a time. By contrast, smokers take breaks from working just as or more often and smoking is literally detrimental to not only their health but the health of everyone around them.
The fact that your company supports breast cancer awareness but not breastfeeding is shocking. I guess breasts are ok with the company as long as they’re not used for what they’re there for — to nourish our children.
Until I hear that Totes/Isotoner institutes an official lactation break policy, I will boycott your brand and buy my slippers, gloves and umbrellas from more ethical and deserving companies.
Danielle Friedland
