In the United States, 75 percent of mothers breastfeed their babies at birth, yet many wean their infants early due to lack of accommodation at the workplace. Recognizing the important health benefits that breastfeeding offers to both newborns and their mothers, the federal government recently passed legislation requiring that employers provide both private space and adequate break time to breastfeeding employees who choose to pump. MIT is dedicated to meeting the needs of nursing mothers.

Fortunately, it is possible to provide a highly supportive environment for nursing mothers at MIT by using existing work policies and lactation resources, as outlined in MIT's new Lactation Support Guidelines for Nursing Mothers and Their Supervisors.

In addition, the MIT Work-Life Center has designed the following webpages to help mothers and their supervisors find the best possible way to accommodate breastfeeding needs.

For Mothers

• Tips on Returning to Work
• Tips on Pumping
• Tips on Storing Milk
• Resources

For Employers and Supervisors

• Tips for Employee/Supervisor Discussions
• MIT Lactation Support Guidelines for Nursing Mothers and Their Supervisors
• Guide to Job Flexibility at MIT (PDF)

MIT Lactation Rooms

• Lactation Room Requirements
• MIT Campus Lactation Rooms
• User and Coordinator Responsibilities
• Door Sign

MIT lactation support guidelines and federal law require employers to provide "reasonable break time" and a private place (other than a bathroom) to express milk during the workday. For more information on the provisions of federal law (Section 4207 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Health Care Reform), consult Fact Sheet #73 from the US Department of Labor.