Having a formal lactation room ensures that faculty, staff, and students have a private, secure space to express their breast milk without having to make special arrangements each time they need to pump.
If you are interested in developing a lactation room in your department or school, the following guidelines will help you arrange a space that will fit the needs of lactating mothers. The set-up for an adequate lactation space can be accomplished with minimal investment in space and cost.
Lactation Room Features
An adequate lactation room should be a private room (not a bathroom) and should have the following features:
- A door that locks from the outside (for which access can be arranged by ID card reader, key pad or other mechanism).
- A door that locks from the inside, if it is a single occupancy room.
- A comfortable chair made of a material that is easy to clean (not cloth covered), provides sufficient back support and is sized so that an average person’s feet can touch the floor.
- An electrical outlet for plugging in a breast pump.
- A table near the chair.
- A sink located in the room or in close proximity to the room (along with soap and paper towels).
- Cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer.
- Soft light, pictures, and decorations that encourage relaxation.
For questions or guidance, please contact your Senior Human Resources Business Partner. If you do set up a lactation room, please notify the wellness team so they may list the room and access instructions with the lactation spaces across campus.