Medela Partners with Marriott to Support Back-to-Work Moms' Breastfeeding Goals

MCHENRY, Ill., July 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Medela today announced a partnership with Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) as part of its Medela At Work initiative to support breast milk feeding mothers returning to work. Moms employed at Marriott headquarters who want to continue to provide their babies with breast milk after returning to work will have access to new multi-user, hospital-grade breast pumps and accessories, giving them comfort and resources during the back-to-work transition. As part of Medela's commitment to supporting every mother's breast milk feeding goals, the partnership will also provide more than $50,000 in Medela products and a monetary donation to GOOD+ Foundation™ to support low-income mothers returning to the workforce.

"All moms should have the opportunity to keep the bond of breastfeeding when returning to work," said Melissa Gonzales, managing director of Medela USA. "We are committed to supporting moms so that they can breastfeed their babies for as long as they choose. The transition back to work can be challenging and all moms deserve to be supported to help keep their breastfeeding goals. We are proud to partner with Marriott and to provide support to GOOD+ Foundation to help communities of moms breastfeed their babies – whether at work, school or at home."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2014 Breastfeeding Report Card, 79 percent of moms begin breastfeeding after birth, but that number drops drastically to 39 percent of moms who are still exclusively breastfeeding at three months, the time when a majority of moms tend to go back to work.

"We strongly believe that supporting new moms who want to continue breastfeeding their babies is not only the right thing to do, but also makes sense for the health of our employees' families and our organization," said Rebecca Spencer, director of global wellbeing at Marriott International. "Our commitment to employees is part of the legacy of our founders that has propelled our organization to be a leading global institution that provides exceptional service to our customers. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Medela to offer new and returning moms a place they would want to go to pump."

In addition to strengthening Marriott's program for new mothers at its headquarters location, Medela is also supporting GOOD+ Foundation (previously known as Baby Buggy) through Medela Cares, the company's corporate social responsibility initiative, with a $27,000 product donation and $25,000 monetary donation from Marriott for a total value of $52,000. Together, these donations will help support low-income mothers and children across the country by providing them with the supplies that families need to adequately prepare for a new baby.  Since 2010, Medela and its sister brands have supported GOOD+ Foundation with financial and product donations totaling more than $1.7 million.

"We thank Medela and Marriott for their generous support to help us further advance our mission and to ensure that low-income, working families have the opportunity and the tools they need to breastfeed their babies," commented Katherine Snider, Executive Director of GOOD+ Foundation.

With Medela's contribution, first-time low income moms like Marian, a new mom from a GOOD+ Foundation partner organization in Detroit, will be able to provide for their newborns. When Marian returns to work this summer at a local coffee shop and resumes studies towards a criminal justice Associate's Degree, she will be able to use the breast pump provided by Medela, and the baby's father will be able to provide their infant with breast milk while she is away. Relieving this family and many more from the burden of providing the proper nutrients for their child will allow them to focus on other important steps in providing for their children.

About Medela At Work 
The Medela At Work initiative is an online resource for moms and employers, offering information, tips and advice for moms returning to work and for those employers welcoming these moms back. Resources include interactive pump room recommendations and a library of resources for employers, as well as an interactive breast pump bag, state-by-state breastfeeding and pumping law primers, and printable plans for moms.

About Medela 
Founded in 1961, Medela is led by Michael Larsson and concentrates on two business units: "Human Milk," providing research-based breast milk feeding solutions, and "Healthcare," engineering and manufacturing medical vacuum technology solutions. Medela is headquartered in Switzerland and has 18 subsidiaries, distributing its products to more than 100 countries throughout the world. 
For more information, visit www.medela.com.

About Marriott International 
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with nearly 4,500 properties in 87 countries and territories.  Marriott International reported revenues of more than $14 billion in fiscal year 2015. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together comprise more than 56 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

About GOOD+ Foundation 
Founded by Jessica Seinfeld, GOOD+ Foundation (formerly Baby Buggy) is a nonprofit organization that partners with a national network of leading programs to break the cycle of family poverty through the power of essential children's products and life-changing family services. GOOD+ Foundation partners with programs that have demonstrated a capacity to address family poverty in three focus areas: supporting new mothers, investing in early childhood and engaging fathers.  Through the generous support of donors and over 45,000 volunteers, GOOD+ Foundation has donated over 20 million items through its partner network across the United States. The organization has been rated 4-Stars by Charity Navigator and received national accreditation from the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance for its efficient fundraising and operations.  For more information visit www.goodplusfoundation.org, or Like us on Facebook at GOOD+ Foundation and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @GoodPlusFdn. 

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SOURCE Medela

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