What Every Good Lactation Room Should Include

The other day, while chatting in Slack about this pumping hack, a couple of my co-workers got to talking about what does—and does not—make for an adequate workplace lactation room. I decided to ask the experts (the Offspring Facebook Group) what they thought should be included in a private pumping space and those folks have never jumped to answer a question so quickly. A good pumping room, they said without actually saying, is a human right.

If workplace pumping is in your future, here is a list of what a good—and a better—employer will provide for you. If they are not providing a private lactation room complete with the items on this list, feel free to forward this piece to bring their attention to the fact that, no, pumping in a bathroom stall is not sufficient and, yes, this should be a priority.

What a good employer would provide

• A comfortable chair

• A room with a door that locks

• And working outlets (bonus points if the outlets are located next to a table or other flat surface).

What a GREAT employer would provide

• All of the above, plus:

• A separate fridge that is solely for breastmilk and supply storage (and is actually cold enough to safely store the milk)

• A sink (hero status for employers who also include a drying rack)

• A shelf where multiple mums can store supplies

• A table or desk to work at while pumping

• Cleaning supplies, including (but not limited to) disinfecting wipes, dish soap and paper towels; a trash can is also a nice touch

• A water cooler

• A space heater (because as one parent put it, “pumping in a cold room sucks”)

• Hospital grade pumps

• A mirror to check one’s appearance before rejoining the team

• A bulletin board where everyone can post pictures of their cute babies

• And some kind of room reservation system to take the guess work out of everything.

What you might want to bring with you

• A cooler bag

• A pumping bag with supplies and storage bags

• A cardigan or blazer—especially if there is no space heater

• Your cell phone (with a relaxing playlist or white noise app)

• Magazines or a book; the lighter and more mindless, the better

• And an extra shirt in case of spills (to be stashed until needed at your desk).