How to Design a Lactation Room for Your Business

As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to create a workspace where all of your employees are supported. An important part of creating a nurturing work culture is ensuring that breastfeeding moms have a private space to pump their breast milk. In fact, it’s the law for many businesses and organizations since 2022 when the Fair Labor Standards Act was amended to include the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) Act. The law requires employers to provide breastfeeding mothers with “reasonable” break time and a private lactation space—that is not a restroom—to express their breast milk.

If you have yet to build out your business’s lactation room or you’d like to enhance the one you already have, this article will help you get started today.

Designate an area that is solely for the purpose of pumping. Again, your lactation room cannot be located in a restroom (as noted by the National Institute of Health). In addition, the room should not be placed in an area where employees have to pass through a restroom or locker room to access it. Keep in mind, a storage closet is not sufficient, nor is borrowing a temporary space such as an office or meeting room. Your business’s lactation room should occupy a permanent space and include a “Lactation Room” sign outside of the door so that it’s easy to locate.

Make sure to incorporate these elements into the design of your lactation room. 

Utmost Privacy

Create an environment in which it would be impossible for a coworker to accidentally interrupt an employee while she’s pumping. Make sure there is a lock on the door. If you have multiple stations, install curtains for privacy. 

A Comfortable, Relaxing Setting

Stress makes it more difficult to express milk. That’s why it’s essential to create a calming environment where your employees can arrive, unwind, and accomplish pumping with ease. A comfortable chair with a side table on which to put the pump is a good place to start. Make sure you choose seating that’s easily sanitized, such as a vinyl reclining chair.

Easy-to-Clean Flooring

Juggling a pump, bottles, flanges, and tubes means spills are inevitable. Make sure to install flooring that’s easy to clean and sanitize, such as tile or luxury vinyl. Avoid carpet. 

Plenty of Storage

Whether your business is providing breast pumps for employees or they’re bringing their own from home, make sure to include plenty of storage in the design of the space. From pumps and all their parts to milk storage bags and cleaning supplies, everything your employees need should be easily accessible and organized.

Adjustable Lighting

Lighting is an important element of creating a relaxing environment. Ideally, your lighting design should include dimmable lights. Low lighting is often preferred during pumping, while bright lighting is needed for cleaning pump parts and handling breast milk.

Adjustable Temperature

Provide your employees with the ability to control the temperature to ensure they’re comfortable for the 15-30 minutes it takes to pump. 

A Refrigerator

This practically goes without saying, but make sure to install a refrigerator in your business’s lactation room for employees to store their breast milk.

Easy Access to Electricity

Map out the room so that there’s an electrical outlet near the chair and table where your employees will place their pump. Easy access to an outlet will help make your employee’s experience a little less of a hassle.

Here are some ideas on how to create a space that will help promote health and well-being.

Essential Cleaning Supplies to Have on Hand

Every lactation room should come equipped with basic cleaning supplies. Here are some essentials:

• Disinfectant wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Paper towels 
• Facial tissue
• Trash bin with a lid
• Dishwashing soap
• Basins to clean pump parts

Don’t Forget a Sink

Breast pump parts need to be cleaned after use. Make sure to provide a sink in your business’s lactation room for your employees to rinse and wash bottles, tubes, and flanges. All breast pump parts should be cleaned in a wash basin to avoid germs that may be lurking in the sink. 

…And a Microwave

A microwave makes it really quick and easy to sterilize breast pump parts for the next use. 

Establish a Cleaning Schedule

Make sure your cleaning crew is aware of your new lactation room and that they understand the importance of cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces, every day. A clean space will give your employees confidence that the room you are providing is safe and that you care for them and their family’s well-being.

Now that you know all the essentials your business needs to create a clean and relaxing lactation room for your employees who need it, it’s time to start shopping. From furniture and microwaves to cleaning supplies, flooring, and breast pumps, Zoro has everything you need to create a fully equipped space.

Product Compliance and Suitability

The statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.