US Has Lowest Support System For New Moms In Industrialized World, But Is Half Of Global Breast Pump Market

According to Grandview Research, the global market share for breast pumps in 2016 was $891.5 million, with the U.S. making up more than half of the buyers out there. Like a password to a secret club, the endorsements arrived. “Oh, the hours I have wasted,” texted one mom.

Few moms consider breast pumps to be a fashion accessory. They are fundamental and part of a daily ritual for millions of American moms. With America ranking so low globally in government and workplace support for moms and families, I'm intrigued that we comprise half the market for breast pumps. 

“There’s a basic inconsistency in saying we support families, we have family-friendly policies, when in fact we have the worst family policies of any developed high-income democracy,” said Dorothy Roberts, a professor of law and sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. “We don’t have family-friendly policies at all.”

It's also refreshing to see Vogue weave an article about breast pumps into its Vogue.com coverage. Would Karl Lagerfeld approve? 

Addressing more important subjects than Karl Lagerfeld's opinions of breast pumps -- come on, you know Karl has an opinion on everything! -- New York mayor Bill de Blasio announced in June that New York City public schoolteachers who are new parents will no longer be required to choose between taking care of a baby and drawing a salary.

The new policy, which will go into effect in September, will provide six weeks of paid parental at full salary to all parents. Teachers who give birth will be able to use sick time, as well, for up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a vaginal delivery and 14 weeks of leave for a cesarean section. via New York Times