How can you support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace?

Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for babies, but also for mothers and employers. It can help reduce health care costs, absenteeism, turnover, and improve productivity, morale, and loyalty. However, many working mothers face challenges and barriers to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. As an administrative manager, you can play a key role in supporting breastfeeding mothers in the workplace. Here are some tips on how to do so.

1 Provide a lactation policy

A lactation policy is a written document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of breastfeeding employees and employers. It can be used to create a supportive and consistent environment for breastfeeding mothers, as well as prevent potential conflicts or misunderstandings. Such a policy should include information about legal protections, such as the federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers law, and any applicable state or local laws. It should also cover the benefits of breastfeeding for employees, employers, and the community, as well as the availability and accessibility of designated lactation spaces, equipment, and storage facilities. Furthermore, it should outline procedures and expectations for requesting and scheduling breaks and accommodations for expressing milk, along with resources and education available for breastfeeding employees and their managers. Finally, it should provide communication and feedback mechanisms to address any issues or concerns.

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2 Provide a lactation space

A lactation space is a private, clean, and comfortable area where breastfeeding employees can express and store their milk. It should be close to their work area, have a lockable door, an electrical outlet, a chair, a table, and a sink with running water nearby. It should not be a bathroom, a closet, or a storage room. A lactation space can be a permanent, dedicated room, or a temporary, flexible space that can be converted when needed. You can use partitions, curtains, or signs to create privacy and indicate occupancy. You can also provide amenities such as a refrigerator, a microwave, a mirror, a clock, a fan, a bulletin board, or a phone to make the lactation space more comfortable and convenient.

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Amber Freeland

Public Relations | Communications | Crisis Management | Marketing Communications & Strategy | Brand Messaging | CX Journey Mapping | Product Marketing | Content Development | Digital Strategy & Execution
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It's not enough to provide a space - it needs to be comfortable and private. When I was a grad student with a newborn, I worked at three different places that all provided different experiences. The university installed private locked rooms across campus each with a chair, sanitizer and an electrical outlet but getting the key and reserving a time was a chore. My professor eventually gave me a key to her office to make me more comfortable. Meanwhile, the PR agency I worked at allowed me to use an empty office, and the restaurant I moonlighted at let me use the office in the back even though it meant locking all managers out for a short time. It was great knowing I didn't have to use a bathroom or janitor's closet.

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3 Provide flexible breaks and schedules

Breastfeeding employees need regular breaks throughout the day to express their milk. The frequency and duration of these breaks depend on various factors, such as the age and feeding patterns of the baby, the type and efficiency of the pump, and the individual needs of the mother. Generally, breastfeeding employees need two or three breaks of 15 to 30 minutes each during an eight-hour shift. You can support breastfeeding employees by providing them with flexible and reasonable break times and schedules. You can also allow them to use their paid or unpaid leave, adjust their start and end times, work from home, or work part-time if possible.

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Hannah Meurer, MSN, CNM
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One thing I have found helpful is for Employers to advocate for their Employees in this. Lactating women often do not speak up or want to cause a disturbance in the work flow when it’s time for them to pump. It can be helpful to have a set schedule and advocate for the mother to take the time to pump - that shows her that you prioritize the sacrifice she is making to be a working mother.

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4 Provide education and resources

Breastfeeding employees may face various challenges and questions when they return to work, such as how to balance their work and family responsibilities, how to maintain their milk supply and quality, how to store and transport their milk safely, how to deal with common breastfeeding problems, and how to cope with stress and stigma. You can support breastfeeding employees by providing them with education and resources that can help them overcome these challenges and continue breastfeeding successfully. You can offer them access to lactation consultants, counselors, peer support groups, online platforms, books, videos, or pamphlets. You can also educate yourself and other managers and coworkers on the benefits and needs of breastfeeding employees, and foster a positive and respectful culture.

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5 Provide recognition and feedback

Breastfeeding employees may feel isolated, insecure, or unappreciated when they return to work. You can support breastfeeding employees by providing them with recognition and feedback that can boost their confidence and motivation. You can acknowledge their efforts and achievements, express your appreciation and support, and celebrate their milestones. You can also solicit and listen to their feedback, suggestions, and concerns, and address them promptly and effectively. You can also encourage and facilitate communication and collaboration among breastfeeding employees and their colleagues and clients.

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6 Provide incentives and rewards

Breastfeeding employees may face financial and logistical barriers to continue breastfeeding after returning to work, such as the cost of pumps, accessories, storage bags, or transportation. You can support breastfeeding employees by providing them with incentives and rewards that can reduce or eliminate these barriers and increase their satisfaction and loyalty. You can offer them subsidies, reimbursements, discounts, or loans for purchasing or renting pumps and other supplies. You can also offer them bonuses, prizes, recognition, or career advancement opportunities for meeting or exceeding their breastfeeding goals or duration.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Michelle Maisonville, CD(CBI), SBD

Postpartum Doula (BADT), Certified Birth Doula (CBI), Birth & Bereavement Doula (SBD)
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Ensure all employees, including management, are well informed of your positive breastfeeding policy so they will be supportive of their coworkers *and* any clients who may enter your space. Remember that the law is clear. Parents have the right to breast/chestfeed their baby in any public place, this includes restaurants, department stores, malls, offices, government buildings and more.

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Amber Freeland

Public Relations | Communications | Crisis Management | Marketing Communications & Strategy | Brand Messaging | CX Journey Mapping | Product Marketing | Content Development | Digital Strategy & Execution
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It's not enough to just have a policy and a place for the mom if the manager has a bad attitude about it. While one of the places I worked at allowed me to use an empty office during breaks, I could hear them talking through the walls about me - questioning why I didn't use formula as a working mom and asking each other how often I needed to do this. They didn't know I could hear them and it made me so uncomfortable. Even worse, they were all women in a woman-owned business. From then on, I only pumped when the execs were out of office because I was so afraid they would use it against me in some way. It's hard enough on the mom to do this at work. Sensitivity and kindness will go a long way!

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How can you support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace?

1

2

3

4

5

6

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1 Provide a lactation policy

2 Provide a lactation space

3 Provide flexible breaks and schedules

4 Provide education and resources

5 Provide recognition and feedback

6 Provide incentives and rewards

7 Here’s what else to consider

Administrative Management

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How can you support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Provide a lactation policy

2 Provide a lactation space

3 Provide flexible breaks and schedules

4 Provide education and resources

5 Provide recognition and feedback

6 Provide incentives and rewards

7 Here’s what else to consider

Administrative Management

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Thanks for your feedback

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