In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month and Black Breastfeeding Week, which runs from August 25th to 31st, it’s crucial to spotlight an ongoing issue: the inadequate “lactation facilities” available at many workplaces across the country. While some offices may boast high-tech soda machines that accept credit cards, this does little to improve the reality for many mothers who find themselves directed to use an unlocked storage closet or, even worse, a bathroom stall for pumping.
To raise awareness about this pressing concern, the advocacy group Moms Rising is pushing for better pumping accommodations for working mothers through the hashtag #IPumpedHere. Women are sharing images and stories that depict the various places they have had to pump. From well-equipped lactation rooms to shocking scenarios that make you question the sanity of it all, the range of experiences is vast.
Advocacy Efforts in Washington, D.C.
Recently, members of Moms Rising visited Washington, D.C., to meet directly with lawmakers. Armed with their children and symbolic breast milk bags filled with gold chocolates to signify breast milk’s value as “liquid gold,” they aimed to highlight that 60% of working mothers who pump lack sufficient break time and proper facilities.
Federal regulations concerning pumping only apply to companies with 50 or more employees, and these laws stipulate that lactation rooms must be private, allowing for proper security and comfort. Alarmingly, pumping spaces cannot be located in bathrooms. While the World Health Organization recommends that mothers breastfeed for up to two years or longer, employers are only mandated to provide reasonable break times for pumping until the baby reaches one year.
Know Your Rights
If you want to know whether your workplace’s lactation room meets the necessary standards, it’s worth reviewing both federal and state breastfeeding laws. In cases where state laws offer greater protections than federal ones, the state laws take precedence.
Join the Movement
In an effort to extend their reach, Moms Rising is providing free #IPumpedHere stickers for mothers. These stickers can be used to mark the locations where they pump, whether that be a designated room or a not-so-pleasant spot, standing in solidarity with fellow moms who may find themselves in similar situations.
Mothers often pump in less-than-ideal conditions out of love for their children, but their willingness to do so shouldn’t mean they have to endure such subpar environments. For more information about navigating the journey of parenthood, including insights on insemination, explore other resources such as this blog post.
Conclusion
In summary, the #IPumpedHere movement shines a light on the challenging realities faced by working mothers and advocates for better accommodations that prioritize their needs.