Breastfeeding is not just a choice, it’s a right.

August is National Breastfeeding Month — and this year’s theme is “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.” Everyone should get to make the choice on how their baby is fed. If your choice is breastfeeding, we hope the information in this blog can help you know your rights and make your journey easier.

Tips for Employers

As an employer, it is important to support employees coming back to work who choose to breastfeed. So, what can companies do to support them?

• Implement and monitor family friendly workplace policies such as parental leave
• Provide breastfeeding breaks in a clean, comfortable mother’s room
• Make sure the organization is following state laws

Do what you can to support employees who are breast feeding. Research shows workplace challenges are one of the primary barriers to ongoing breastfeeding for working parents.

Legal Considerations

The following laws are in place in Indiana:

Indiana Code 5-10-6

This state regulation allows for paid breaks for an employee to express breastmilk for her infant

Indiana Code 22-2-15

This law states that to the extent reasonably possible, employers with twenty-five employees or more must provide a location, other than a toilet stall, where an employee can express her breast milk in privacy during any period away from her assigned duties. Additionally, they must provide a refrigerator or other cold storage space for keeping milk that has been expressed; or allow the employee to provide her own portable cold storage device for keeping milk that has been expressed until the end of the workday.

The Fair Labor Standards Act of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

This country-wide act requires employers to provide reasonable paid break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth each time the employee has a need to express the milk.

Local Resources for Parents

The breastfeeding journey can be a struggle for new parents. If you do not know where to start, know that there are local resources in Indiana that can help you through your journey. Best of all, many of them will not cost you a dime.

The Affordable Care Act

Under the ACA, certain brands of pumps may be covered by your insurance provider. To find out which are covered, start by heading to your insurance provider website. You can also talk to your OB to help find covered breast pumps. Additionally, there are different websites that help work with your insurance company such as Aeroflow Breastpumps, Acelleron, and Breastpumps.com.

Your Health Care System

Make sure you work with your OB and hospital provider. They can help you find out if there are free educational and breastfeeding classes offered through your health care system.

Professional Guidance

There is no shame in needing help. Indiana has many drop-in centers where lactation experts can provide support. Follow this link to find a center near you: https://www.indianabreastfeeding.org/drop-in-centers-.html

Remember, breastfeeding is not just a choice, it is your right. Close the gap and find the support you need to make your family’s journey a smoother ride. Employers, remember you have the power to be both a hindrance or help to your breastfeeding employees.