Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Support
Breastfeeding/chestfeeding is the natural and healthy way for parents to feed their babies and provides the best source of nutrition in most cases to infants. Breast milk has health benefits for mom, too. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months and breastfeeding up to a year for optimal growth and development.
Benefits of breastfeeding for parents and baby.
Get support
- Lactation Resources in Ramsey County.
- Ramsey County Lactation Lounge at Hyland Library: drop in lactation support, get questions answered, socialize, connect.
- Ramsey County WIC Program: lactation support, nutrition education and food support for children 0-5 years, pregnant and post-partum parents. Call 651-266-1300 or fill out this form to see if you are eligible.
Laws protecting lactation
- MN State Statute: Nursing Mothers, Lactating Employees and Pregnancy Accommodations.
- Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA).
- Know your rights: videos for employees.
Questions? Need more information, or your employer is unwilling to comply with the law, contact: [email protected] or call 651-284-5075.
Resources for returning to work
- Breastfeeding and going back to work. (office of Women’s Health)
- How to pump video.
What you need to express milk at work:
- Breast pump.
- Check with your insurance company to see if they offer discounts.
- Breast pump kit: bottles, valves, membranes, correct sized flanges.
- Breast milk expression bags.
- Soap and bottle brush for cleaning pump parts.
- Picture of your baby (optional).
- Shawl or blanket to stay warm (optional).
- Hands free pumping bra (optional).
- Freezer pack and cooler case (in case there is no access to a fridge).
Forgot your pump? Try hand expression.
- Hand expression If you’re ever in a pinch and don’t have access to your breast pump, you can hand express.
- Pumping and storing breastmilk.
Pregnant workers and new parents' rights
- Pregnant workers and new parents | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (mn.gov)
- Folleto de Derechos de los Padres del Departamento de Trabajo e Industria de MN (PDF)
- Buugyaraha Xuquuqda Waalidka MN Waaxda Shaqada iyo Warshadaha (PDF)
- Daim Ntawv Tseb rau lub MN Department of Labor and Industry txog Niam Txiv Tej Cai (PDF)
- MN Department of Labor and Industry Parental Rights Brochure (PDF)
Resources for employers
What employers need to know about pregnancy and parental rights: Videos in English,, Hmong, Somali and Spanish
Requirements of a lactation space:
- Close to the work area.
- A space other than a bathroom.
- Shielded from view.
- Free from intrusion from coworkers and the public.
- Close to a working electrical outlet.
- If no space exists, the employer may temporarily designate a space or make a space available when needed by employee. Must be a functional space (has a place to sit other than floor, flat surface to place pump/equipment)
Become a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace recognized by the Minnesota Department of Health to best support your employees
Contact Us
Related Resources
- Breastfeeding Resources (PDF)
- COVID-19 and Breastfeeding (PDF)
- Workplace Pregnancy and Parental Rights (Video clips)
- Know Your Rights (Video clip)
- Breast/Chestfeeding Friendly Public Spaces (Video clip)
- Employers Supporting Lactating Employees (Video clip)