Moms in Tech: The Lactation Room

In 2010, Obama’s Affordable Care Act updated the Fair Labor Standards Act, providing a year of protection for new moms who express breastmilk throughout the work day. There are two main components to this protection: private pumping space and reasonable breaks.

For those who aren’t savvy about the mechanics of nursing, breastmilk must be expressed throughout the day to keep a mother’s milk supply at a level that can sustain her baby. While formula is an acceptable and popular feeding choice, breastmilk provides added benefits to both baby and mom’s health and emotional well-being.

“Investing in a dedicated space for pumping represents a minimal expense to build out,” York says. “Plumbing, a solid door, and appropriate furniture can be achieved for a few thousand dollars compared to the tens of thousands of dollars to replace a valued employee.” — Joyce Lee, “Designing for the Modern Working Mom”

Using an electric pump with tubes and flanges for about 25 minutes at a time, 2–3 times a day, is the most common way for working moms to extract enough milk to provide food for their baby the next work day. There are a few necessities required to pump with a basic level of comfort that all professional women deserve. New moms are advised to pump when in a calm, stress-free state of mind and in a clean area so as not to contaminate the milk, so pumping in supply closets or bathrooms is far from ideal.

For employers, allowing new moms a few breaks in a comfortable setting to express breast milk means:

• a healthier baby and thus happier mom
• fewer days when mom has to stay home to care for a sick baby
• higher retention of experienced female employees, to mentor and manage others

While not every company has enough space for a permanent lactation room, all are required to hack something acceptable together should an employee decide to nurse their baby. Here are 10 elements of a great workplace lactation room. Use this score card to grade your own, and don’t be afraid to campaign for things that would make new moms feel more supported in your workplace.

1. Single-purpose room, no sharing with meditating CEOs or nappers
2. Lock on the inside of the door (a high % of moms have complained that a coworker walked in on them in a state of undress)
3. Privacy from view (window treatments, fully enclosed room)
4. Reasonable sound privacy (people can’t hear the pump and moms can’t hear stressful work conversations)
5. Comfortable chair
6. Table big enough to hold breast pump and manage milk bottles
7. Exclusive milk refrigerator w/freezer compartment
8. Microwave (nice to have, for heat packs)
9. Sink (nice to have to avoid having to wash flanges in company kitchen during Friday happy hour)
10. Personal storage containers (nice to have to keep pumping bra, heat packs, empty bottles protected)

How many of the above does your company provide? Mine scored a 9 after I initiated a couple additions.

If you are a breastfeeding mother and your company is not providing you with at least 1–5 above, you can file a complaint by calling the toll-free WHD number 1 (800) 487–9243.