It’s important that breastfeeding mothers in Wisconsin be aware of their right to breastfeed in public and at their workplace, and that employers be aware of their responsibilities to provide their female employees with the proper accommodations.

According to a Wisconsin state law established in 2010, a mother may breastfeed her child in “any public or private location where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be.”

In addition, the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to provide a place for breastfeeding mothers to pump and reasonable breaks. This requirement applies to all women who are nursing their child during the first year of that child’s life. The space provided for the mother should be a place other than a bathroom that is shielded from public view and allows her to lock the door or post a privacy sign that prevents her from being intruded upon. The space also must have a place to sit and a table (or other flat surface) for her to place the pump on. The federal law does not require employers to compensate mothers for the break-time.

The U.S. Department of Labor advises employers to be flexible in providing nursing mothers with appropriate break time. According to the Department, 2 – 3 breaks will be needed during an eight-hour shift, but it’s important to realize that can vary for women based on the age of their child and their nursing schedule. Employers should also be aware that the mother will typically need 15 – 30 minutes to set up, pump, clean up and store the milk.