Lactation/Breastfeeding Support
If you are a new mother and want to pump or express milk on campus, the University wants to support your lactation/breastfeeding needs by offering lactation spaces and additional resources.
Lactation Spaces
We offer a number of lactation spaces on the Twin Cities campus—East Bank, West Bank, and St. Paul. See the complete list of lactation spaces. If you have additional questions and concerns about lactation spaces or resources, please contact Susan Warfield, (warfi002@umn.edu), Lactation Advocacy Committee member.
You can print out and post the sign below when using lactation spaces to ensure your privacy. Feel free to share the door sign with others.
Breastfeeding in Session door sign (pdf)
When You Are Expecting
We suggest that you contact your supervisor or HR consultant before or as soon as you return to work from parental leave to make arrangements to pump or express milk during the workday. Discuss the need for reasonable break time and a private place for you to pump or express milk. The following tip sheet prepared by the Lactation Advocacy Committee may be helpful in discussing your lactation needs with your supervisor.
How to Speak to Your Supervisor about Your Lactation Needs (pdf)
If you are covered by the UPlan medical program, you may want to take advantage of the Healthy Pregnancy program from Medica to give your baby a healthy start. As an expectant parent, the program can help you stay well and feel good throughout your pregnancy and after your newborn arrives. When you complete the program no later than August 31, 2018, you can earn 125 wellness points.
Information for Supervisors and HR Professionals
The University is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all our employees, including nursing mothers. As supervisors and human resources practitioners, we should support employees who express milk during the work day by providing a reasonable break time and a private space to pump or express milk. See Lactation Supervisor Guidelines (pdf).
The Lactation Advocacy Committee
The Lactation Advocacy Committee was founded in 2009 and has actively collaborated to support parents and advocate for lacation resources on campus.The Lactation Advocacy Committee invites any member of the U of M community to be a volunteer, if you are interested in supporting lactation resources on campus. Those interested should contact Sara Najm, (biel0032@umn.edu) or Melanie Soland, (opayx002@umn.edu).
View a Google Map of all Lactation Rooms across the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses (opens in a new window).