Breastfeeding Laws and Workplace Support

Do your patients have questions about their rights as breastfeeding employees? There are several 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 Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act 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.
• The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act gives workers the right to receive reasonable accommodations for conditions related to pregnancy, including breastfeeding.
• States may have their own laws. The Center for WorkLife Law: 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
• For the latest on laws and legislation in your state, contact the AAP State Government Affairs at [email protected].