Providing Support and Empowerment for Breastfeeding at Work

Explore the impact of workplace support in empowering families and sustaining breastfeeding-friendly environments in the workplace.

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding provides incredible benefits to babies, mothers and families. Long-term breastfeeding helps to promote bonding with the baby, decreases rates of postpartum mood disorders, decreases the risk of breast and other cancers, and helps to regulate body weight postpartum.

When babies receive breast milk, they experience increased immune function, reduced risk of ear infections, gut infections, reduced risk of asthma and allergies, and a decreased risk of obesity and type II diabetes. Breast milk contains hormones that help to regulate a baby’s sleep-wake cycle, meaning the entire family is often able to get better sleep.

Don’t Be Discouraged by Work

Returning to work is one of the biggest deterrents in breastfeeding. Mothers may feel unsure about finding time, a private space and somewhere to store breast milk while working.

The continued production of breast milk after returning to work may be an adjustment, but it allows for families to continue to receive the physical, financial and mental health benefits that breastfeeding provide. Many mothers even say they feel connected to their baby while pumping at work.

Have a Plan in Place

Before taking maternity leave, expecting mothers can speak to their manager about where they can pump, how it can fit into their schedule and what other supports are in place to help them continue providing breast milk to their baby. Also, they can check with other mothers in the workplace who may be able to offer tips and advice on pumping at work.

There are also workplace and federal policies in place that aim to protect breastfeeding families. Under the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act), most nursing employees have the right to a break time and private place shielded from view and free from intrusion to express breast milk until one year after the child is born.

Tips for Everyone

No matter how a family chooses to feed their baby, resources are available to help reach those goals. Managers, coworkers and other working mothers can work to support those who breastfeed at work by covering for them while they pump, providing encouragement, respecting their right to privacy and creating a positive work environment to help support their choice to pump at work.