As more women have entered the workforce, the need for lactation support has increased, yet is still not recognized as an important health benefit. This can not only have a negative effect on employees but can also extend to their families as well.
Accommodations have been made over the years for non-essential needs such as smoking, including multiple break times and dedicated smoking areas. Originally it was a convenience; however, as we learned more about the negative health effects of smoking, businesses continue to make these accommodations. Expressing breast milk is a vital health benefit both for the lactating parent as well as the infant whose primary nutrition source is breast milk.
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Many female employees have had to make the difficult decision of leaving the workforce due to lack of or no parental leave, lack of a clean and safe lactation space to express breast milk during the workday, along with lack of break time to express breast milk throughout the day. Many employees are relegated to shared restrooms to express milk, scrutiny for taking the time to express breast milk and storing their milk in a shared refrigerator which leaves their milk open to theft or insufficient storage temperature. For those who make the decision to continue to work to help support their families, they have to make the decision to switch to formula before they had planned to.
Many businesses across the US have recognized the health benefits for their employees and are seeing the benefits in the workplace. Working parents with access to a dedicated lactation space have less absenteeism, better productivity, think more positively about their employer, and most importantly are happier because they can continue breastfeeding their children and can also share the responsibility with their spouses or partners. In wake of the Great Resignation and Great Reengagement, employees researching potential job changes are looking for health benefits including lactation rooms as part of their long-term career options.
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What do businesses need to know to create a dedicated lactation space for their employees? The space does not have to be large; however it needs to be a room that the employee feels safe and comfortable in. Businesses do need to know what both local, state, and federal guidelines are for their area. This is important to make sure that both employers and employees are complying.
What is needed to create a dedicated lactation space? Here are some guidelines to help set up your lactation space:
- Safety is key. The room should have the ability to be locked for a singular space or with signage that lets others know if the room is occupied and give privacy
- The room should feel comfortable, no matter the size. There should be proper ventilation and make the employee feel comfortable
- The room should have a comfortable chair(s) for the employee to relax as they express breast milk or to even be able to breastfeed their child (if the child is able to come into the office during the day). There should also be a small table to hold an electric breast pump. The furniture should also be made of materials that are easy to clean, especially post COVID
- If possible, a hospital grade breast pump should be made available for the employee, along with any storage supplies or information on what the employee may need. At the very least, working electrical outlets close to chairs and tables for employees bringing their own breast pumps.
- Adequate refrigeration for breast milk throughout the day. Communal refrigeration is not the best for breast milk storage. Expressed milk needs to be stored at a steady temperature throughout the day to assure that it is safe to use once the parent is home.
- There should be shelving/storage available for employees to leave their equipment and accessories throughout the workday. This makes it easier for them to keep items they need throughout the day where it will be safe.
- There should be a sink and countertop available so that the employee can wash their hands and wash their equipment. Cleaning supplies should be provided to maintain the room and sanitize as needed
- A room and equipment maintenance schedule should be made and followed. Breast milk is food, and as with any shared location should be cleaned daily for the health of both employee and their children
- The décor should be relaxing and pleasing. Nursing and expressing breast milk can be a stressful time for some, and a comforting space can help ease that stress or discomfort
- Offer information for new families to learn more about family leave, local lactation support organizations or general breastfeeding or expressing information including pamphlets and websites
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Businesses can also reach out to lactation support companies to help with everything from room design, education, support information and regular equipment maintenance.
