WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT LACTATION?
- Lower health care costs: chest/breastfed babies are sick less often; the longer an individual is able to chest/breastfeed, the less likely they are to experience breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
- Lower absenteeism rates: because babies are healthier, parents are less likely to miss work.
- Higher retention rates: research shows that employees who receive lactation support at work are more productive and loyal; they are also more likely to return after their parental leave.
WHY DO EMPLOYEES NEED TIME AND SPACE FOR LACTATION AT WORK?
- Health Benefits: statistics from the American Academy of Pediatrics have shown that breastfed babies are healthier and in turn have lower health care costs; this leads to less absenteeism for working parents as well.
- Biological Needs: milk production is a normal, constant, ongoing, biological process. Milk expression must occur on a regular schedule (typically every 3 hours) to keep the supply going. When unable to express milk, it builds up and can be quite painful and also lead to infection.
- Comfort: a lactation space is necessary because those needing to express milk are able to do so more efficiently when they are relaxed and in a less stressful environment.
- Privacy: private spaces are necessary because pumping/milk expression is not as discreet as physically chest/breastfeeding the child. In addition, pumps and parts need to be kept clean and expressed milk stored properly.
HOW OFTEN DO EMPLOYEES NEED TO PUMP? HOW LONG IS EACH SESSION?
Typically, an employee will need to pump once every 2-3 hours, so in an 8 hour work period, 2-3 pumping sessions will most likely be needed. Each session can take up to 15 minutes, not including travel time to the room (which is why finding a space in close proximity is extra beneficial to employee and employer). As their child gets older, the frequency for which they need to pump will decrease. Studies show that most employees who express milk at work take just 2-3 breaks for a total time of less than 1 hour per 8 hour workday.
WHY CAN’T EMPLOYEES PUMP IN THE BATHROOM?
Bathrooms are a place to eliminate waste from the body. Human milk is food and should be handled in the same way other food is handled. No one would be willing to prepare food in a bathroom, and that includes human milk.
WHERE IS THE EXPRESSED MILK STORED? I’M CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES WITH IT BEING IN OUR SHARED KITCHENETTE REFRIGERATOR.
Human milk is food. The FDA and CDC both state that it can be stored with other food items, however, we understand this is a sensitive topic in the workplace. The easiest workaround is to provide a small dorm-style refrigerator solely for storage of expressed milk. The LSP can provide signage indicating proper human milk storage guidelines and temperature regulation. We advise employees who need to store expressed milk to do so in a small cooler or lunch bag to reduce the chance of spills, etc.
I HAVE AN EMPLOYEE REQUESTING SPACE FOR LACTATION, BUT WE DON’T HAVE ANY ROOM IN OUR BUILDING, WHAT CAN I DO?
A number of alternative options to a permanent lactation space are available. You can convert an empty office or meeting room, consolidate supply closets and retrofit one for lactation. Additionally, you could think about temporary spaces, such as assigning the employee to an office for the duration of their lactation needs; we have a number of lactation spaces already in existence, if it’s not too far from where your employee is, they may be willing to walk to another building or floor.
HOW BIG OF A SPACE IS NEEDED TO CREATE A LACTATION ROOM?
The space can be as small as 4 feet by 5 feet, though the size of an accessible restroom stall, 7 feet by 7 feet, will be more comfortable. These spaces can single- or multi-user spaces; if it is for multiple simultaneous users, privacy is an important consideration and can be easily achieved by using curtains, screens, or partitions to create individual spaces within the room.
I HAVE A ROOM I’D LIKE TO ASSIGN FOR LACTATION, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
Great! First step is to contact the LSP – worklife@jhu.edu. From there, we can discuss who the building/facilities contact is and the next steps that need to be taken. If it’s something as simple as converting an empty office into a lactation space, we may not need to involve anyone else. Construction/renovation will obviously take more time and involve more planning.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING/MAINTAINING/STOCKING SUPPLIES IN THE LACTATION ROOM?
Our LSP thrives because of a shared responsibility model. Typically, the department/area that is hosting the lactation room is considered the room “owner”. LSP serves as a back-up if support is needed. Essentially, the “owner” is responsible for making sure the room is on a regular cleaning/maintenance schedule, reporting any issues in the room to the appropriate facilities department, and ordering and stocking the basic supplies needed for the room. The hope is for lactation rooms to be viewed as other common space areas (i.e. bathrooms, breakrooms, kitchenettes), that are monitored and cleaned on a daily basis.
WILL OTHER EMPLOYEES VIEW LACTATION SUPPORT AS SPECIAL TREATMENT?
Working parents needing to take time to express milk are not trying to get out of work, they are trying to balance what is best for their family and their employer. It’s not easy and takes a lot of time, coordination, dedication, planning, and support. Studies show that most lactating employees take 2-3 breaks per workday (normally coinciding with already scheduled breaks), for a total time of less than 1 hour. Those needing to express milk also have a pretty regular schedule, making it easier to work around preplanned lactation breaks. If a colleague needs to cover for someone’s lactation break, it’s not very different from covering for an employee who needs a break for the restroom, to take lunch, or to call home to check on family members.
WHEN SHOULD DISCUSSION ABOUT LACTATION ACCOMMODATIONS TAKE PLACE?
We recommend beginning with an initial conversation prior to an employee going out on leave. A follow-up conversation prior to their return or upon their return will also be beneficial, as plans, needs, and schedules can change.
DOES THE EMPLOYEE NEED TO BE THE BIRTHING PARENT TO RECEIVE A LACTATION ACCOMMODATION?
No. An employee may pump at work regardless of whether they actually gave birth or not. For example, in adoption, parents can induce lactation to feed their child. Other examples include surrogacy and child loss in which the employee may wish to pump and donate their milk. Not all employees will identify as a “mom” or “female”, therefore, lactation rooms are for any employee needing to express milk.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO USE INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE?
- Using gender-inclusive language means speaking and writing in a way that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender or gender identity, and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes.
(United Nations)
- Referring only to “breastfeeding mothers” excludes families, including, but not limited to, those who chestfeed, bottle feed, don’t identify as a mother, or have experienced infant loss. The impact is particularly problematic when used in legislation and policies as it can literally exclude many families from protections. It’s also important to remember that not all families look alike.
(USBC)
- Gender dysphoria occurs when an individual feels discomfort due to parts of their body that do not match their gender identity. Growth (or re-growth after top surgery) of chest tissue during pregnancy may bring up extreme feelings of gender dysphoria in some individuals, possibly causing anxiety or even depression. Chestfeeding can do the same. For this reason, deciding to chestfeed is a very personal choice. Feelings of gender dysphoria may be triggered or exacerbated when a trans individual is misgendered by others, including health care providers and lactation helpers.
(La Leche League International)
I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT AN EMPLOYEE’S REQUEST FOR A LACTATION BREAK, HOW DO I GET HELP?
Contact your divisional HR representative or administrator to discuss your concerns and begin working on collaborative next steps with HR and your employee. Space/time must be provided, and there are a number of options available to make this easier for everyone involved.
WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES REGARDING LACTATION?
In addition to the LSP, employees can also speak with a Hopkins Lactation Consultant via email (JHHLactation@jhmi.edu) or through their warm line: 410-502-3221. The Lactation Consultants also host weekly support groups and educational classes. The Office of Benefits & Worklife offers a baby shower (currently virtual) for new, expecting, and adopting parents to hear presentations on leave policies, benefits, lactation support, child care, and an opportunity to visit with Hopkins programs and local vendors to gather more information and resources. On the LSP website, there are additional Hopkins, local, state-wide, national, and global resources listed for reference.
I DIDN’T KNOW WE HAD A LACTATION SUPPORT PROGRAM. IS IT WIDELY-USED?
Yes! We currently have 51 officially registered rooms across our campuses, with more on the horizon. Also, in November 2019, the JHU LSP was nominated for and won a GOLD Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Award through the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition.
