Workplace Lactation Spaces: Build, Convert, or Buy?
Breastfeeding employees need a private space to express milk when they’re away from their babies to maintain their milk supply. In most cases, federal law (as well as many state laws) require workplaces to provide a private, non-bathroom space for employees to pump. What is your best option for a lactation space? Ask these questions.
1) How quickly do you need a lactation space?
If your organization doesn’t currently provide a lactation space, you’re not in compliance with workplace lactation accommodation laws and should take immediate action. You’ll want to ensure that you have adequate spaces in a timely fashion for breastfeeding employees. As you determine an appropriate timeline, be sure to take into consideration additional factors including zoning, permitting, construction disruption, and supply chain issues.
2) What is your available square footage?
Regardless of whether your organization leases or owns your facility, you’ll want to determine if there’s unused real estate to build out a lactation room or to convert an existing space. If space is at a premium, having a freestanding lactation pod-products that adds square footage—and can be easily moved as needs change—is helpful.
3) Where do your breastfeeding employees work?
Workplace lactation spaces work best when they’re close to where employees work. The time it takes to set up a breast pump, express milk, and clean pump parts can vary from person to person, but on average it can take anywhere from 20-40 minutes. While lactation accommodation laws don’t specify proximity, consider OSHA’s guidelines that bathrooms should be “immediately available” or no more than a 10-minute walk. The closer lactation spaces are to where employees work, the more they can maximize their break time and minimize productivity loss. This is an important factor when considering the cost of a lactation space.
4) How will parents access the lactation space?
The federal FLSA PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act stipulates that lactation spaces must be “free from intrusion.” Though not spelled out in the law, having a locking door on the space is essential for peace of mind—just as with restrooms. And, as with restrooms, workplace lactation spaces must be easily accessed when parents need them. Reduce unnecessary barriers such as having to ask someone for a key or request entry. Autonomous access guarantees the employees can pump on the schedule that works best for them. (Mamava lactation pods can be locked and unlocked with a mobile app.)
5) How will you furnish the lactation space?
A comfortable workplace lactation space needs to include a chair, a surface for a breast pump, electrical and USB outlets for a pump and other devices, as well as a place to stow personal belongings. Additional touches like a mirror and coat hooks can go a long way to helping parents feel supported at work. Keep in mind that lactation spaces are food-preparation sites, so they need to have easy-to-clean surfaces and materials. Absorbent fabrics or carpets that retain odors are not recommended. In addition, fresh air circulation helps ensure a comfortable interior temperature. Lactation spaces should also be in close proximity to running water (for cleaning pump parts), a fridge (to store pumped milk), and provide pumping accessories like cleaning wipes.
6) Why should employers support breastfeeding?
It may seem costly to provide the infrastructure that breastfeeding employees need at work, but not supporting breastfeeding has a price too. According to UNICEF, inadequate breastfeeding results in $340 billion in avoidable health care costs and lost earnings worldwide every year. Whether you build a room, convert an existing space, or purchase a freestanding pod, providing a workplace lactation space ensures that more parents in the U.S. have the support they need to meet breastfeeding recommendations and can help improve public health outcomes for both babies and mothers.
Mamava designs solutions to empower breastfeeding and pumping parents on the go, like our freestanding lactation pods, Mamava’s lactation space locator app, and other helpful resources.
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