Know Your Rights: Breastfeeding at Work

Many new mom’s don’t know what to expect when returning to the workplace after having a baby. Especially for those who are still breastfeeding, there may be concerns that their workplace won’t provide an environment conducive to breastfeeding. This article will cover your protected rights as a breastfeeding mother, and what you should expect in your place of employment.
Fair Labor Standards Act and Breastfeeding

In the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to provide reasonable breaks for employees to express breastmilk for up to a year after childbirth. For a new mom, this could mean taking a break every 2 hours for 20-30 minutes each time. This is a protected right for workers in the United States, and should be the expectation for new mothers returning to work after maternity leave.