Why are lactation rooms necessary?
Lactation rooms do not need to be big or expensive. In fact, many organizations find that small rooms work quite well and are less in-demand than larger areas. At a minimum, the room should be accessible to employees with disabilities, assure privacy, have electricity for a breast pump, have adequate lighting and ventilation, include a table and comfortable chair, and have appropriate hand washing and cleaning supplies. Ideally, a lactation room would also be centrally located and provide the following: a sink or close proximity to a sink, a refrigerator, separate temperature control, a hospital-grade pump, a nursing stool, and attractive dcor. Many organizations choose to decorate the room to look like a nursery, or with baby pictures, to encourage rapid “let-down” of milk—and minimize pumping time. Lastly, the cost of establishing lactation rooms varies greatly based on the setup and design of each individual room. The majority of these costs are incurred up front when the room is es
