What’s a Lactation Room? Essential Guide for Working Parents

For breastfeeding mothers returning to work, finding a safe, private space to nurse or express milk is essential—this is where a lactation room plays a vital role.

A lactation room is a designated, private space in workplaces or public facilities designed to support breastfeeding mothers. Equipped with comfortable seating, storage for milk expression tools, refrigeration for breast milk, and privacy features, it enables mothers to feed or express milk safely and hygienically without disrupting work responsibilities.

These rooms promote maternal and infant health by supporting exclusive breastfeeding, reducing stress through convenience, and encouraging workplace inclusivity. They also help employers foster supportive environments that improve employee retention and satisfaction among new parents.

Effective lactation rooms prioritize privacy, cleanliness, and functionality. Accessibility is crucial—ideally located near restrooms but secluded enough to ensure comfort. Providing supplies like breast pumps, storage bins, and hygiene products enhances usability and reflects a commitment to family-friendly policies.

A lactation room is more than a space—it’s a vital resource empowering working parents to thrive. By understanding its value, organizations and individuals can support breastfeeding success. Consider advocating for or utilizing lactation rooms to build a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Fact Sheet #73A: Space Requirements for Employees to Pump Breast Milk at Work under the FLSA March 2025 Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as amended by the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (the PUMP Act), most nursing employees have the right to reasonable break time and a private place to pump breast milk while at work. This right is available each time. Lactation room at the US Department of Labor, 2016 A lactation room (or lactorium) is a private space where a nursing mother can breastfeed.

They may include breast pumps. The development is mostly confined to the United States, which is unique among developed countries in providing minimal maternity leave. A bathroom is not an allowable location for lactation space, even if it's a single-occupancy private restroom.

What Should a Lactation Room Include? The PUMP Act requires that private lactation space for nursing employees be " functional as a space for expressing breast milk." What is "functional space" for breastfeeding employees? Explore guidelines for designing lactation/wellness rooms in work and public spaces that are easy to use and offer comfort and respect to mothers. Discover "what is a lactation room" and more as we explore legal requirements, design ideas, and best practices for workplace inclusivity.

Lactation Room Requirements F or many years lactation rooms have been recognized as a building amenity with advantages for both employer and employee. Benefits include increased workplace diversity, improved children's health, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity. Understand lactation room requirements for breastfeeding employees.

Learn about legal obligations, design tips, and cost. Dowload a PDF version of this documentDowload a PDF version of this document Employees and applicants who need a time and place to pump breastmilk at work have rights under federal laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Under the FLSA, nursing employees are entitled to reasonable break time and a private space to pump at work for up to.

Lactation Room Set Up Guide: Best Practices and Design Ideas Are you in human resources or facilities management? Have you been tasked with designing a Lactation Room for your employees? That can be an intimidating job, especially if you've never seen the inside of a Lactation Room before. The best place to start is to put yourself in the shoes of a new parent who is returning to the office.