When my partner, Sarah, welcomed our first child, she was employed full-time at a local grocery store. After undergoing a C-section, Sarah received an additional two weeks of maternity leave. During those six weeks, I witnessed her struggle with breastfeeding. Despite her stitches being tender and sore, she diligently got up at night to feed our baby. She spent countless hours learning to pump so that she could provide milk for our little one once she returned to work. However, when that time came—far too soon for her body and mind—she was faced with two unappealing choices for pumping: a communal break room full of colleagues or a filthy restroom stall.
Many working mothers can likely relate to this experience. The absence of a dedicated lactation room forced Sarah to transition to formula feeding. It’s important to clarify that this isn’t a debate about breast milk versus formula; the focus here is the dire shortage of adequate pumping spaces for working mothers and the reluctance of many employers to invest in such facilities.
The Affordable Care Act does include a provision mandating that employers provide a designated space for breast milk expression that is not a bathroom. This provision, which amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), specifies that the area must be private and free from interruptions. However, employers with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt if they can prove that compliance would create an undue hardship.
Despite this, numerous companies have found ways to sidestep the requirement. I’ve heard stories of determined mothers resorting to pumping in janitorial closets, storage rooms, and other unsuitable areas. Clearly, these environments do not foster the calm and privacy a working mother needs to express milk effectively.
What Constitutes an Ideal Lactation Room?
Liz Parker, a leading advocate for workplace facilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been championing the cause of new mothers for over a decade. After her own experience of returning to work with twins, she developed guidelines for lactation rooms. Here are some essential elements:
- One lactation room for every 100 female employees.
- A minimum size of 50 square feet with enough room for a 5-foot turning radius.
- Basic amenities should include a table, a chair, a sink, and a refrigerator.
- The table should be at least 24 inches deep to accommodate pumping equipment and laptops.
- An adjustable task chair with wheels is essential for allowing mothers to multitask efficiently.
- Additional necessities include electrical outlets for pumps and laptops, a microwave for sterilizing equipment, and a deep sink for cleaning bottles.
The requirements listed above are hardly extravagant. Most mothers simply seek a quiet and comfortable location for pumping, without the discomfort of competing with cleaning supplies or other distractions.
If companies genuinely care about supporting working mothers, promoting retention, and fostering a diverse workplace, they should not treat lactation space as an afterthought. Instead of offering access to dusty, disorganized storage areas, employers should create welcoming environments where mothers feel valued and supported.
Investing in lactation rooms is not just a kind gesture; it’s also a sound financial strategy. According to Parker, providing a nurturing space for new mothers can lead to greater job satisfaction and loyalty. The estimated cost of establishing a pumping room ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, while the expense of replacing a mid-level employee can exceed $15,000.
The day Sarah decided to stop breastfeeding due to the lack of a reasonable space, it broke my heart. She felt torn between her responsibilities at work and providing for our child in a natural way. Rather than feeling like an essential employee, she felt like a burden.
Investing in lactation rooms is not just a good business decision; it’s the right thing to do. Lactation rooms should be as commonplace in workplaces as restrooms and storage closets. Employers should recognize this necessity as an integral part of supporting their workforce.
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In summary, lactation rooms are essential for supporting working mothers and should never be relegated to the status of a restroom stall. The call for dedicated, comfortable spaces is not merely about convenience; it’s about respect and recognition of a mother’s role in both her family and her workplace.
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