Home
Resources
Lactation Resources

Lactation Resources

IU Indianapolis Lactation Resources

The availability of a dedicated private space for nursing mothers will assist in the transition back to work or school after giving birth and reduce employee/student stress by providing a supportive environment for the new mother. IU Indianapolis has a variety of private spaces for nursing mothers available.

Health organizations recommend breastfeeding of Infants

Breastfeeding has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for one year after birth because of the associated health benefits to children. In addition, women who have breastfed are less likely to develop breast and ovarian cancers, and decreased risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.

The American Academy of Pediatrics as well as the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continuation for the 1st year of life if possible.

Federal and State law require break time and private space for nursing mothers

In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act amended the Fair Labor Standards Act to require employers to provide a nursing mother reasonable break time to express breast milk and a place for an employee to do so. “An employer shall provide…B) a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.”

Ind. Code § 5-10-6-2 and § 22-2-14-2 (2008) provide that state and political subdivisions shall provide for reasonable paid breaks for an employee to express breast milk for her infant, make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location, other than a toilet stall, where the employee can express breast milk in private and make reasonable efforts to provide for a refrigerator to keep breast milk that has been expressed.

The business case for supporting nursing mothers has been made

Research has shown that employer- sponsored lactation support programs result in lower absenteeism for both moms and dads, lower healthcare costs (newborn health care costs are typically about three times less for babies of breastfeeding women) greater retention of valuable employees and increased productivity and loyalty from employees.

IU Indianapolis Lactation Rooms

In an effort to support our employee, student, and visiting mothers who are nursing and comply with the Indiana law, IU Indianapolis has created a variety of private spaces and lactation stations on campus. Complete information about availability, access and contact person can be found here.

If you have questions or concerns about any of the rooms, please contact IU Work + Life at ude[dot]ui[at]uyhtlaeh or Kathy Grove at ude[dot]ui[at]evorgsk.