MIT is dedicated to meeting the needs of its nursing mothers. To that end, the MIT Work-Life Center recently announced the opening of a new lactation room in MIT Human Resources in Room NE49-5000. This new room is an example of MIT’s continuing commitment to support new mothers as they return to work.
In the U.S., 75 percent of mothers breastfeed their babies, yet many wean their infants early due to lack of accommodation in the workplace. In recognition of the important health benefits that breastfeeding offers to both newborns and mothers, the federal government passed legislation in 2010 requiring that employers provide both private space and adequate break time to breastfeeding employees who choose to pump.
The MIT Work-Life Center has spearheaded efforts to enhance the number of lactation rooms across campus, and this newest lactation room is open to the entire MIT community, as well as to visitors. It features comfortable chairs, a hospital-grade breast pump, books and other resources for working mothers, a refrigerator for temporary storage of breast milk, and a kitchen and bathroom close by. This is the second lactation room in Building NE49; the other room is on the third floor (NE49-3053) and sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Finance.
The MIT Work-Life Center has information and resources to support mothers who continue breastfeeding once they return to work — and to support supervisors in establishing arrangements that accommodate work routines and create a supportive environment as outlined in MIT's Lactation Support Guidelines for Nursing Mothers and Their Supervisors.
Please call 617-253-1592 or visit the MIT HR childcare website to learn more about these resources, including a list of campus lactation rooms. MIT faculty, staff, postdocs — and families — can also access breastfeeding support through the MyLife Services benefit by calling 844-405-LIFE (5433) or emailing info@mitmylifeservices.com. MIT graduate students can find breastfeeding support through the MIT Graduate Assistance and Information Network: Call 844-MIT-GAIN (4246) or email info@mitgain.com.
