How to Design a Lactation Space

For new moms returning to work, there may be no greater intersection between their personal lives and their professional identities than pumping breast milk. Breastfeeding employees need both time and a private space to pump.

But expressing milk at work can be uncomfortable when lactation rooms aren’t specifically designed around the physical and physiological needs of pumping. If your goal is to provide thoughtful, user-centered lactation spaces for breastfeeding employees, here are four key factors to consider.

1) Understand the essentials of a dignified lactation space.

Lactation is a physiological response, so it’s important that breastfeeding employees can plug in, relax, and express milk . And, of course, breast milk is food, so the space also needs to be sanitary and easy to clean. At a minimum, a lactation space needs to provide the following:  

• Privacy to ensure that pumping parents feel secure

• A comfortable seat to relax for letdown

• An outlet for a breast pump

• An easy-to-clean surface for a breast pump

Additional amenities add value and demonstrate empathy and understanding of end-users’ needs:

• A USB port for charging devices

• A mirror so employees can ensure they are neat and tidy after pumping

• Hand sanitizer

The best-in-class lactation accommodations, as recommended by the American Institute of Architects, include the following:

• A sink

• Access to a refrigerator near (but not inside of) the lactation space so employees can store and collect their milk even while the lactation space is occupied

• HV/AC to ensure a comfortable interior atmosphere

Depending on the organization and venue, however, additional elements such as plumbing or a refrigerator may not be feasible or desirable. 

2) Consider the needs of end-users.

How many breastfeeding parents will need a space? Are they visiting guests or employees? The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends at least six milk expression stations for every 1000 female employees. But keep in mind the perennial problem when it comes to women’s bathrooms: There are never enough. Don’t let the lactation room replicate this problem. Limited lactation spaces can also lead to loss of time and productivity for both employees and employers. The best lactation spaces are easily accessible by breastfeeding employees when and where they need them.

3) Assess your resources and space constraints.

If you’re building out a new lactation room, take a lactation-first approach by involving all stakeholders early on, understand traffic patterns, and identify spaces that are centrally located. Keep in mind, however, that building out a new lactation room can involve construction permits, plumbing, electrical, and loss of square footage. In addition, construction can cause disruption and be time-consuming, not to mention expensive.

4) Retrofitting? Think beyond the storage closet.

So you didn’t plan for a lactation room? Don’t worry. All too often workplace lactation spaces are an afterthought, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t help breastfeeding employees feel comfortable and supported. If you’re thinking of repurposing spaces like a storage closet, empty conference room, or a borrowed office, keep in mind that temporary solutions don’t communicate a clear message of lactation support. Forward-thinking companies recognize that designing appropriate lactation spaces is a crucial amenity for a truly inclusive workplace.

Mamava designs solutions to empower breastfeeding and pumping parents on the go, like our freestanding lactation pods, Mamava’s lactation space locator app, and other helpful resources.

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