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 passed legislation in 2010 requiring that employers provide both private space and adequate break time to breastfeeding employees who choose to pump.

MIT provides a supportive environment for nursing mothers by offering special work policies and lactation resources, and was featured in the September 2016 issue of Workplaces Magazine for its commitment to providing high-quality lactation rooms across the MIT campus. See below for ways mothers and their supervisors can accommodate breastfeeding needs.

For Mothers

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

For Supervisors and Employees

• Tips for Supervisor/Employee Discussions
• MIT Lactation Support Guidelines for Nursing Mothers and Their Supervisors
• MIT Job Flexibility Guidelines

MIT Lactation Rooms

• Lactation Room Requirements
• MIT Campus Lactation Rooms
• Coordinator and Nursing Mother 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.