Milkworks

More than 50% of mothers will return to the work force when their baby is less than one year old. Until the Fair Labor Standard Act was amended in 2010 to accommodate for breastfeeding mothers, returning to work was a major reason that many mothers stopped breastfeeding.

The FLSA now requires that employers provide reasonable pump breaks in a private space for breastfeeding mothers of children under the age of one. While longer maternity leaves are also needed, this provision is making is much easier for mothers in the work force to continue breastfeeding for the recommended 12 months.

Fair Labor Standards Act

Fair Labor Standards Act amendment

Fact Sheet #73: Break Time for Nursing Mothers under the FLSA

The Health Care Reform Act as it relates to Employers and Breastfeeding Mothers

Federal Employment Memorandum

Federal Regulations

Sample Employer Lactation Policy

Returning to Work or School while Breastfeeding

Collecting and Storing Pumped Milk

Examples of Private Pump Spaces (pages 12-20)

Resources (pages 24-25)