Breastfeeding Laws and Workplace Support

Do your patients have questions about their rights as breastfeeding employees? There are two main federal laws that protect breastfeeding employees as well as some state level laws.

• The federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires that employers provide lactating employees the same ability to address lactation-related needs as employees with other medical conditions.
• The Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law requires employers to provide reasonable break time to express milk in a private space that is not a bathroom until your baby is at least one year old.
• States may have their own laws. The Center for WorkLife Life: Pregnant @Work has an interactive map showcasing state breastfeeding laws.

For more information, visit:

• AAP Federal Support for Breastfeeding -This 5-page resource describes the Affordable Care Act (ACA) federal breastfeeding benefits.
• Pregnant @Work - Pregnant @Work is a helpful website which provides resources for employees, attorneys, and healthcare professionals as well as a hotline for questions around workplace issues around pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• United States Breastfeeding Committee
  • Has a helpful webpage which explains Workplace Support in Federal Law and
  • Has a workgroup focused on increasing protections for all breastfeeding employees. Learn more at Workplace Support Constellation.
• For the latest on laws and legislation in your state, contact the AAP State Government Affairs at stgov@aap.org.