Rooms for breastfeeding at work

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old and now, new federal guidelines make it a requirement to have a space dedicated to nursing moms in the workplace.

At seven months old, baby Emma has only known her mother's milk. Emma's mom says she's been able to provide breast milk for her daughter after going back to the office, because of a small space that opened up at work this year.

"I don't think it would have gone as long or it would have been as easy had this space not been available," said Emma's mom.

Lisa Lee was in charge of setting up the lactation room at Andrew's Hall at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) in Norfolk.

"We decided if we were going to have a room, we wanted to have the mom to feel comfortable and relaxed. We painted it a pretty darker blue, kind of a soothing color," said Lee.

A rocker, a hospital grade breast pump, a refrigerator, and a telephone make up what used to be a small clinic.

"If we can think a little bit bigger about supporting moms, not only is their life easier and their family life better, but businesses are more productive and it just makes things easier," said Lee.

Amy Paulson, Director of CINCH , said "The other benefits are that she will be out of work less, the baby is going to be sick less often. There are also long-term benefits for mom related to cancer and obesity."

And now it's law that most employers come up with a lactation plan for female employees. Amy Paulson gives guidance to local businesses that want to set up rooms of their own.

"Basically, they have to provide a space that is not a restroom, that's private with a locking door that a mom can express milk in. They have to provide flexible break times in order for her to be able to do that," said Paulson.

It isn't mandatory that the extras, like soft lighting and a sink, be part of the plan, but moms say this means their baby's diet is one less thing to worry about on a busy day.

"When I was expecting Emma, I wasn't sure where, when I came back to work, whether I would be able to pump while I was at work, and I wondered if I would have to go to my car," said Emma's mom.

Paulson added, "Take a moment to talk to your employees and find out if it's something they want. Here at EVMS, we were really surprised to see how many moms came out of the woodwork who have been pumping who knows where on campus before the room came in place."

It is the law now for most employers to provide a room with a lock for nursing moms. EVMS has a team in place designed to guide local businesses on how to set up their lactation areas. For more information, call 668-6456.