Editor’s note: This week on New Beginnings, we are celebrating Workplace Lactation Week, which is recognized annually September 1-7. This year’s theme is A World of Support: Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplaces Everywhere. You can learn more about Workplace Lactation Week here.
We want to highlight some of the encouraging environments our readers have seen in their own nursing experiences. Many parents who work after having a baby continue breastfeeding for years to come! A supportive workplace can help families to reach their feeding goals.
Sandy D. explained, “What made it easier for me was a daycare provider who valued my pumped milk, respected my baby’s needs, and had a couch I could just plop down on to nurse him right there when I came for pickup after a long day apart! Decades later, those moments of reunion are cherished memories for me. And he continued – through nursing and later in other ways – the pattern of having adventures away and then returning to touch home base, ready to go again.”
Anna K. commented, “Here are some of the things that made it easier for me: an office with a locking door, so I could pump at my desk; a cooler with enough really good ice packs to keep the milk cold for the days when I needed to drive around to different meetings; multiple sets of pump parts so I didn’t have to wash them at work, a supportive boss and supportive coworkers, my supportive husband, and a supportive lactation consultant. I also liked having a later schedule for my baby so I could see him longer after I got home from work (he then either slept in or took a long morning nap for the babysitter). I am so grateful! What would have made it even easier: the ability to have my baby with me when possible, an easier way of finding quality child care providers, and a more supportive culture at large.”
As Anna noted, systemic issues can cause difficulty for working parents. Raising awareness for the things that can make our jobs easier may in turn shape policies and culture as a whole. Thankfully, there are federal protections for working families who pump breastmilk at work. You can learn more about The PUMP Act here.
Katya P. shared some tips that have been helpful for her. “If you can work from home and have your baby nearby with a childcare provider, scheduling a daily touch point with your care provider can be beneficial. If you have any meetings or critical deadlines that day, they can know when to bring the baby to you to nurse. If your day is more open for interruptions, you could let them know that as well! On the days that I had to work in the office, my caregiver found it easier to take the baby on an outing and then bring them to me on their way home for a ‘lunch break’ (to nurse) for us all. It was more efficient to be able to nurse my baby directly in those scenarios, rather than take the time to transfer somewhere to pump and clean up. My baby could get a good solid feeding and some connection time before I came home in the evening.”
Creative work solutions are possible for many families who nurse their babies, and hopefully, with time, more workplaces will offer a variety of practical options to lactating employees. Thank you to those offices and employers who truly are breastfeeding-friendly and supportive to their working families.
Send your story ideas to Kylie at [email protected]
More resources about working and breastfeeding:
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Posted: September 2, 2025 by Yael Breimer
Celebrating Workplace Lactation Week
Editor’s note: This week on New Beginnings, we are celebrating Workplace Lactation Week, which is recognized annually September 1-7. This year’s theme is A World of Support: Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplaces Everywhere. You can learn more about Workplace Lactation Week here.
We want to highlight some of the encouraging environments our readers have seen in their own nursing experiences. Many parents who work after having a baby continue breastfeeding for years to come! A supportive workplace can help families to reach their feeding goals.
Sandy D. explained, “What made it easier for me was a daycare provider who valued my pumped milk, respected my baby’s needs, and had a couch I could just plop down on to nurse him right there when I came for pickup after a long day apart! Decades later, those moments of reunion are cherished memories for me. And he continued – through nursing and later in other ways – the pattern of having adventures away and then returning to touch home base, ready to go again.”
As Anna noted, systemic issues can cause difficulty for working parents. Raising awareness for the things that can make our jobs easier may in turn shape policies and culture as a whole. Thankfully, there are federal protections for working families who pump breastmilk at work. You can learn more about The PUMP Act here.
Katya P. shared some tips that have been helpful for her. “If you can work from home and have your baby nearby with a childcare provider, scheduling a daily touch point with your care provider can be beneficial. If you have any meetings or critical deadlines that day, they can know when to bring the baby to you to nurse. If your day is more open for interruptions, you could let them know that as well! On the days that I had to work in the office, my caregiver found it easier to take the baby on an outing and then bring them to me on their way home for a ‘lunch break’ (to nurse) for us all. It was more efficient to be able to nurse my baby directly in those scenarios, rather than take the time to transfer somewhere to pump and clean up. My baby could get a good solid feeding and some connection time before I came home in the evening.”
Creative work solutions are possible for many families who nurse their babies, and hopefully, with time, more workplaces will offer a variety of practical options to lactating employees. Thank you to those offices and employers who truly are breastfeeding-friendly and supportive to their working families.
Send your story ideas to Kylie at [email protected]
More resources about working and breastfeeding:
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
Follow us on:
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Category: Making It Work, Pumping, Workplace Lactation Week
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