Breastfeeding & Lactation Support

Boston University is committed to meeting the needs of parents returning to work and ensuring that managers have the information they need to support them. This includes ensuring the availability of lactation rooms, located at:

Charles River Campus

Fenway Campus

Medical Campus

Background Information

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act was amended to include the following requirements of employers with 50 or more employees:

  • Allow parents reasonable, unpaid breaks to express breast milk for their child for two years after the child’s birth. This break time is given each time the person has the need to express milk.  Pumping time must be paid if the employee is not completely relieved from duty during the time they are pumping.
  • Provide a location, other than a bathroom, for parents to use to express milk. This space must be shielded from view and free from intrusion by coworkers and the public.

When a lactation room is not available, a space that meets the following minimum requirements must be made available for a parents to express milk:

  • Private space, shielded from view, with a door that can be locked from the inside
  • A chair and a table to rest the breast pump and supplies
  • An electrical outlet for plugging in a breast pump
  • Close proximity to a sink with hot and cold water

For More Information and Support

  • Please contact your HR Business Partner for information about returning to work after birthing or adopting a child, or supporting an employee who is returning to work.
  • If you have any questions about the lactation rooms at Boston University, please email lactroom@bu.edu.
  • The Office of Family Resources is committed to helping families manage the challenges of work life and family life. This office provides a number of resources and services to support families in the Boston University community.
  • The Faculty & Staff Assistance Office is a free, confidential resource for BU employees who may be experiencing difficulties that affect their personal life or work performance
  • Additional information about other available resources can be found on the BU Medical Group Lactation Room page