Stigmas Around Pumping at Work – Then and Now
Recent findings from an Aeroflow Breastpumps national survey highlight the impacts pumping breast milk has on new mothers in the workplace and the continual challenges breastfeeding mothers face in their career growth.
After surveying 667 mothers who have had children within the past two years and are working while breast pumping, it is incredibly clear that improved access to private pumping rooms, better maternity leave policies, and an increased acceptance of pumping at work would enable moms to more easily meet and exceed their breastfeeding goals, while simultaneously continuing in their professional development.
We conducted a similar survey in 2018 to uncover the stigma around breast pumping at work. Despite the six-year gap, and the Pump Act of 2022 expanding the legal right to ample breaks and private (non-bathroom) pumping spaces, the number of women who feel there is a stigma attached to pumping at work has increased from 60% in 2018 to 82% in 2024. While there has been an increase in the number of employers who have a pumping policy at work (from 50% to 68%), more women today stated their employer’s pumping policies have made them consider a career change.
Positive Progress Over the Last 6 Years
Basic Necessities for a Workplace Pumping Room
Does your employer provide these essentials in their pumping room/space?
Regression Over the Last 6 Years
Insights from Our Experts
“For women staying in a job where they are not provided both an adequate pumping space and a supportive environment, employee morale and even work productivity could be at risk when anxiety runs high and a mom feels her breastfeeding relationship is being put in jeopardy. It's important for companies to realize there is a cost to their decision not to create a supportive environment, and it shouldn't be a company vs. employee situation. Companies benefit greatly from moms in the workforce and they need to get on board with policies that respect and nurture a healthy work environment.”
– Nicole Peluso, IBCLC, CD, CAHPE, Manager of Lactation Services & Education at Aeroflow Breastpumps
“We have a long way to go in terms of societal acceptance of breastfeeding and pumping, despite an overwhelming abundance of information and literature about the benefits of breastfeeding. Also, there is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of employers supporting their pumping employees with adequate physical space, time, resources, and in an emotionally safe manner. Until we are able to provide adequate maternity leaves to working mothers in our country, the least we can do is provide ample support to breastfeeding moms when they return to work and are separated from their infants. Every breastfeeding mother deserves to be able to pump at regularly scheduled intervals in a quiet, private, and adequately equipped space, without fear of intimidation or the impact on their career trajectory and growth.”
– Jessica Madden, MD, Medical Director at Aeroflow Breastpumps
“While we are so encouraged by the strides that have been made, it’s disheartening to learn that a higher percentage of mothers don’t feel comfortable pumping at work as compared to our 2018 survey. These results only fuel us to continue working towards greater awareness and acceptance for breastfeeding and pumping mothers. We are committed to breaking down stigmas and ensuring mothers have the resources needed to feel empowered and supported while never compromising their careers in the process.”
– Jennifer Jordan, Vice President at Aeroflow Breastpumps
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