In order to maintain the health of infants, the federal and state governments must ensure mothers are receiving the highest quality of healthcare accommodations available. INCA supported Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act of 2017, which was an important step towards achieving this laudable goal and will help to supply mothers with the privacy and security they need to supply healthy and nutritious milk to their children.... more »

In the same way that we are required to post pregnancy rights in a visible place at places of employment, we should also be required to post Breastfeeding Legislation.

Provide clear, concise, consistent messages to employers, employees and coworkers on the benefits of breastfeeding, how they can support breastfeeding employees. In addition, education on how breast milk is not a hazardous substance would also be helpful. It is perfectly fine to be stored in a fridge/freezer with food, etc.

Mothers often may not know how to talk with their employers about what they will need in terms of space and breaks when they return to work to express milk. Offering tools to mothers, such as scripts on how to talk to their employer, would be helpful. Also educating women on what protections they have under current state and federal laws, and who to reach out to should they face barriers to pumping at work are also... more »

Local government and policy makers should partner with local organizations or nonprofits to support employers by providing resources to for lactation accommodations and/or create awards recognition for employers--this will educate, encourage and promote employers to establish and build best practices. See below example.

The Healthy Mothers Workplace Coalition, through support from the City and County of San Francisco,... more »

As local 501(c)3 our aim is to engage providers in educating women on their rights whether active/or passive via information/posters in the lobby. Limitations for us is that we are an unpaid group, perhaps DOL can assist in this matter to scale this effort. Prenatal care providers and pediatricians should play a direct role in promoting breastfeeding and informing women of their rights. They have statements in their... more »

The Florida Association for Women Lawyers has formed a Lactation Task Force Committee. FAWL has an online handbook which is an excellent resource: https://www.fawl.org/assets/docs/FAWL%20Courthouse%20Lactation%20Room%20Handbook%202019_06_13.pdf


In addition to supporting the needs of women working in the legal field, lactation rooms also promote access to justice by allowing women jurors, witnesses, and other patrons... more »

There is confusion about how the "Break Time for Nursing Mothers" law applies to breastfeeding employees working in tribal jurisdictions. The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee recommends providing clarity on how the provision applies under these circumstances.

By far, the most common misunderstanding about the "Break Time for Nursing Mothers" law is related to the undue hardship exemption for small businesses. The media, employers, and employees often report that small businesses with fewer than 50 employees are not required to meet the obligations of the "Break Time for Nursing Mothers" law. The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee recommends adding clarification from the Request... more »

There is widespread confusion about which employees are covered by the "Break Time for Nursing Mothers" law. The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee recommends highlighting existing resources to help workers and employers determine coverage under the law.

Recommended language to be added to Fact Sheet #73 section on Coverage and Compensation: For help determining whether you are covered, call the Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243,... more »