Click on the main headings below to learn more about the new federal workplace lactation law, the business benefits of breastfeeding and to download tools to help you establish and maintain a successful lactation program in your workplace.
Workplace Support for Nursing Mothers: Your Legal Obligation
Beginning in 2010, all employers in the United States are now required by federal law to provide nonexempt nursing mothers with time and space to pump milk for their babies while they are at work. Employers must now:
- Provide nonexempt nursing mothers reasonable break time to pump milk at work for up to one year.
- Provide a private space that is not a bathroom in which employees can pump milk for their infants.
The tools in this section will help you set up a lactation program and create a supprtive environment for nursing mothers, so that you and your employees will be healthier, happier and more competitive.
Workplace Support for Nursing Mothers: The Business Benefits
Healthy families are good for business. When employees breastfeed their babies at work, employers can realize significant savings. When employers support a mother’s choice to breastfeed, they will increase employee productivity, retention and engagement, and will lower their health care costs.
- Read about the business benefits of breastfeeding
- Access the brochure for this online workplace lactation toolkit
- Access breastfeeding resources and information for employers
Resources and Tools
Click on the headings below to expand them, and learn more about the new federal workplace lactation law and how to access tools and resources to help you establish a successful lactation program in your workplace.
How Do I Learn More About the Federal Lactation Law?
o Read the U.S. Department of Labor's fact sheet explaining the new lactation provision
o Read the U.S. Department of Labor's "Break Time for Nursing Mothers" FAQs
o Read the U.S Department of Labor's preliminary interpretations of the law
o Read the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's official memorandum which expands the lactation law to all federal workers
How Do I Set Up a Lactation Room or Program?
o Access a Program Summary explaining how to set up a lactation program and how to use this online toolkit
o Download a Needs Assessment Worksheet to determine your lactation support needs
o Access a Privacy Room Checklist to make sure your lactation room has everything it needs
o Download a Privacy Room Logbook
o Read and learn about best-practice employer examples in the "Success Stories" section
How Do I Communicate My Program to Employees?
o Access Talking Points for Employers
o Download and print a Break Room Poster to advertise your program. Available in two sizes, in English and Spanish:Large Poster [PDF], 10.675" X 24"
Small Poster [PDF], 11" X 17"
o Download and print a Lactation Room Poster to support your nursing mothers. Available in two sizes, in English and Spanish:Large Poster [PDF], 10.675" X 24"
Small Poster [PDF], 11" X 17"
o Access Educational Flyers to distribute to your employees:
- Benefits of Breastfeeding for Working Families (English)
- Benefits of Breastfeeding for Working Families (Spanish)
- Breastfeeding Resources and Support (English)
- Breastfeeding Resources and Support (Spanish)
- Tips on Returning to Work (English)
- Tips on Returning to Work (Spanish)
- Pumping and Storage Information (English)
- Pumping and Storage Information (Spanish)
- Talking to Others About Breastfeeding (English)
- Talking to Others About Breastfeeding (Spanish)
How Do I Measure the Success of My Program?
o Access a Privacy Room Logbook to monitor participation in your program
o Access a template Employee Satisfaction Survey (English)o Access a template Employee Satisfaction Survey (Spanish)
o Download a Measuring Success Worksheet to analyze the program's impact on your business