Human Resources

Lactation Support Resources

There are many resources available to faculty, staff and students through the university’s Lactation Support Program as well as community and national resources, including the information below.  

Can you return to work and breastfeed? Yes! The longer you breastfeed, the healthier it is for you and your baby. Purdue University encourages expectant mothers to talk with their supervisor about their lactation plans a few weeks prior to returning to work. All supervisors and managers have been informed of the lactation spaces available and will work with you to establish space and your schedule. 

Additionally, registering for Purdue’s Lactation Support Program will offer you a variety of assistance and resources, including help with speaking with your supervisor. You can also contact Human Resources at 765-494-2222 for help at any time.

Lauren Ema, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, RNC-NIC, IBCLC, CLC, is a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner and international board-certified lactation consultant at the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. Lauren hopes that lactation services available on campus will help Purdue families navigate the challenges of infant feeding amidst parental leave and after return to work. Research has shown that employer-based lactation support programs decrease employee sick time and increase employee productivity, retention and satisfaction.

“Infant feeding affects a family’s everyday life, she shared. “Whether they are breastfeeding, mixed feeding or formula feeding, families and their children are more likely to flourish when they have a knowledgeable clinician guiding them and supporting them in their decisions along the way.”

Consultations are available in-person and virtually to all benefits-eligible employees and dependents covered on a Purdue medical plan. Call the CHL at 765-494-0111 to schedule a lactation consultation.

Employees or their supervisor should contact the lactation space contact at least one month prior to needing the space. That person will assist in making arrangements for the employee to utilize the space privately. When more than one breastfeeding mother needs to use the designated lactation room, the contact person and mothers should negotiate milk expression times that are most convenient or best meet their needs.

Each location is maintained by the contact person listed. If you find additional space in a building not listed here or the information about a lactation space provided is not accurate, please contact us at 494-2222.

As part of Purdue University’s continued commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers, the following language has been put into building design handbooks:

Lactation Facilities

  • Every building should have at least one space that can be used as a lactation room. The space should allow mothers to collect breast milk conveniently and in privacy. This requires comfortable seating, along with a work counter, electrical outlet for a breast pump, and a sink all within arm’s length.
  • Refrigerated storage does not need to be provided in this room.
  • It is not essential that this be a dedicated room. It could be a small conference room that is centrally scheduled for use by anyone in the building.
  • Lactation rooms must be lockable.
  • Lactation facilities may be adjacent to restrooms but should not be within restrooms.

A list of lactation spaces on the West Lafayette campus for faculty and staff is available here.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for their nursing child for one year after the child's birth each time such employee has need to express the milk. On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, into law. The law includes the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (“PUMP Act”), which extends to more nursing employees the rights to receive break time to pump and a private place to pump at work.

Under the PUMP Act, most nursing employees have the right to reasonable break time and a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion to express breast milk while at work. This right is available for up to one year after the child’s birth.

Detailed information, including FAQs, on the PUMP Act can be found here.

Medical Plan Coverage

  • All Purdue University faculty and staff medical plans cover breast pumps and supplies at 100 percent under the Women’s Health Provision, not subject to deductible. It is limited to the purchase or rental of one breast pump per year as ordered or prescribed by a physician. Rental is also allowed up to the purchase price and includes related supplies.

Purchase or Rent

  • You can purchase or rent one breast pump per birth as ordered/prescribed by a doctor. There are no restrictions on what type you get or where you get it (including WalMart, Target, etc.). The cost of a rental is limited to the amount it would take to buy the breast pump; related supplies are included and covered at 100 percent under the Women's Health Provision. Your doctor may have additional information on where to purchase a breast pump and whether facilities work directly with insurance. Otherwise, you may purchase the pump at the location of your choice and then file a paper claim with Anthem. If you have questions about a particular pump, please contact Anthem at (855) 502-6365.

Medical Supply Companies

  • Edgepark – Visit www.edgepark.com/breastpumps - You will be asked to supply your state of residence and insurance company. You will then be provided with a list of pumps to select from; once you select a pump and indicate when your baby is due, Edge Park will tell you when you are eligible to order the pump.
  • Byram Health – Visit https://breastpumps.byramhealthcare.com - You will be asked about your insurance carrier and will then follow similar steps as with Edge Park (above).

HSA and FSA Eligible Expenses

  • Lactation aids such as breast milk transport bag, freezing and storage packs, are an eligible medical expense and can be purchased or reimbursed from HSA and FSA funds.

Purdue University is not required to provide additional paid break time to breastfeeding employees. In most situations, an employee can express her milk during normal meal and break times. However, additional time may be needed and supervisors are encouraged to reasonably flex schedules to allow for these exceptions. For assistance or additional information, supervisors can contact Human Resources at 765-494-2222 or complete the Information Request form.

Purdue strives to be a partner in the success of all students, including student parents. To receive a mother’s packet with resources for expecting and breastfeeding mothers, please submit this form. As part of the Healthcare Reform Act, all medical plans are required to provide coverage for breast pumps. Please check with your insurance carrier for additional details and recommendations on obtaining yours.

Visit Purdue’s Span Plan Nontraditional Student Services for additional resources and guidance.

A partial list of the lactation spaces on campus is available here. These spaces are considered student-friendly – all are located in central, convenient locations and do not require key access to enter.
(Full list of campus lactation spaces)

Purdue University provides lactation spaces around campus for employees who need to express milk during their work hours. Due to building space, some spaces are multiuse and must be scheduled for utilization, but several lactation spaces are designated and permanent. Room contacts should then assist in scheduling the space to be privately utilized. When more than one breastfeeding employee needs to use the space, room contacts and employees should negotiate milk expression times that are most convenient or best meet their needs.

Lactation Space Contact Responsibilities and Resources are provided to assist those scheduling lactation spaces and more.

Appropriate signage for lactation space is available to download and print if needed.

Can I return to work and breastfeed?

Yes! You can return to work and continue to breastfeed your child! The longer you breastfeed, the healthier it is for you and your baby.

Where can I express milk when I return to work?

In accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable care Act of 2010, Purdue University continues to offer the lactation support program for breastfeeding women. Purdue University provides lactation spaces around campus for employees who need to express milk during their work hours. Due to building space, some spaces are multiuse and must be scheduled for utilization, but several lactation spaces are designated and permanent.

How do I let my supervisor know I want to express milk when I return to work?

All supervisors and managers have been informed of the lactation spaces available to employees. Employees who wish to express milk during the work period shall keep supervisors informed of their needs so that appropriate accommodations can be made to satisfy the needs of both the employee and Purdue University. It is suggested that you speak with your supervisor a few weeks prior to returning to work in order to establish space and your schedule. If you need assistance speaking with your supervisor, please contact Human Resources - Worksite Health & Child Care Specialist at 49-60312.

How do I use the lactation spaces?

You or your supervisor can contact any lactation space contact person at any time. That person will assist in making arrangements for you to utilize the space privately. When more than one breastfeeding employee needs to use the designated lactation room, the contact person and employees should negotiate milk expression times that are most convenient or best meet their needs.

What if my building does not have a lactation space?

If your building does not have a lactation space, you may be able to find a space in a nearby building and contact the space contact to make arrangements. If you need assistance with this, please contact Human Resources - Worksite Health & Child Care Specialist at 49-60312.

Are there other special instructions for using the lactation spaces?

Breastfeeding employees are responsible for keeping the general lactation area clean for the next user. This responsibility extends to both designated milk expression areas, as well as other areas where expressing milk will occur.

Does Purdue University provide breast pumps or supplies?

Purdue University does not provide breast pumps or supplies to employees at this time. The Purdue medical plans for 2015 cover breast pumps and supplies under the Women’s Health Provision at 100%, not subject to deductible. It is limited to the purchase or rental of one breast pump per birth as ordered or prescribed by a physician. Rental is allowed only up to the purchase price, and includes related supplies.

How do I store my milk?

Employees should label all milk expressed with their name and date collected so it is not inadvertently confused with another employee’s milk. Each employee is responsible for proper storage using a personal cooler that can be stored in either the building refrigerator or as a stand-alone unit. Purdue University Human Resources / Benefits – Lactation Support Updated 12.15.14

Do I get additional break times to express milk?

Purdue University is not required to provide additional paid break time to breastfeeding employees. In most situations, an employee can express her milk during normal meal and break times. However, additional time may be needed, and supervisors are encouraged to grant reasonable flex scheduling to accommodate the need.

What does the reasonable break time for nursing mothers law do?

In accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable care Act of 2010, Purdue University continues to offer the lactation support program for breastfeeding women. Section 4207 states:

"An employer shall provide a reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk and a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public.”

How does this law benefit Purdue University?

Research shows that supporting breastfeeding employees is a win-win for everyone. Breastfeeding is not only good for health, the payoff is significant:

  • lower health care costs
  • lower turnover rates
  • lower absenteeism rates
  • higher employee productivity and morale, and
  • positive public relations in the community as a 'family-friendly' institution.

What accommodations does Purdue University provide?

Purdue University provides lactation spaces around campus for employees who need to express milk during their work hours. Due to building space, some spaces are multiuse and must be scheduled for utilization, but several lactation spaces are designated and permanent.

How do I help employees?

Employees who wish to express milk during the work period shall keep supervisors informed of their needs so that appropriate accommodations can be made to satisfy the needs of both the employee and Purdue University. It is suggested that employees speak with their supervisor a few weeks prior to returning to work in order to establish space and their schedule. Supervisors should support the employee in making arrangements to utilize a lactation space.

Purdue University is not required to provide additional paid break time to breastfeeding employees. In most situations, an employee can express her milk during normal meal and break times. However, additional time may be needed and supervisors are encouraged to reasonably flex schedules to allow for these exceptions. If assistance is needed with this, please contact Human Resources - Worksite Health & Child Care Specialist at 49-60312.

Why does an employee need to pump her milk at work?

A breastfeeding woman continues producing milk during the time that she is away from her baby. Pumping her milk allows her to be physically comfortable while at work and to collect and store milk that can be given to her baby when they are apart.

How often does an employee need to pump her milk?

Most women can avoid discomfort and maintain their milk supply by pumping every 3 – 4 hours. In most situations, an employee can express her milk during normal meal and break times. Purdue University is not required to provide additional paid break time to breastfeeding employees. However, additional time may be needed, and supervisors are encouraged to grant reasonable flex scheduling to accommodate the need. 

How is the expressed milk stored?

Employees should label all milk expressed with their name and date collected so it is not inadvertently confused with another employee’s milk. Each employee is responsible for proper storage using a personal cooler that can be stored in either the building refrigerator or as a stand-alone unit.

Are there other resources available to employees?

Informational materials from Human Resources will be provided to employees in their leaves paperwork highlighting the employee responsibilities of communication with supervisors. Employees can also request a Mother’s Packet which includes information on healthy eating for mother and infant, proper milk storage, and lactation space signage.

National resources for mothers 

  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services / Office of Women’s Health
    www.womenshealth.gov (800) 994-9662
    Offers downloadable information sheets on breastfeeding, trained peer counselors, and “Easy
    Guide to Breastfeeding” booklets available for five different audience groups of women
  • Healthy Mothers / Healthy Babies Coalition
    www.hmhb.org/publications.html
    Offers informational booklets for working mothers available in English and Spanish
  • LaLeche League International
    www.llli.org 1-800-LALECHE
    Offers numerous publications, including books and pamphlets on breastfeeding, parenting, and
    managing employment with breastfeeding, articles on working and breastfeeding, and a toll-free breastfeeding information line
  • Choose My Plate.Gov
    www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/daily-food-plans/moms.html
    A personalized daily food plan show foods and amounts right for you based on your stage of
    pregnancy

Local and State resources for mothers