New mothers CAN breastfeed while returning to school or work. A private space for IU Columbus students, faculty, and staff who are lactating is available in the Research Center (RC 105) and in one of the Summerville Room breakout rooms (LC Room 1403).
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding is recommended for at least one year after birth because of the associated health benefits to children. In addition, women who have breastfed are less likely to develop breast and ovarian cancers and have a decreased risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause. The availability of a dedicated private space for nursing mothers, like at IU Columbus, will assist in the transition back to work or school after giving birth. It also helps reduce employee/student stress by providing new mothers with a supportive environment.
There are many resources and support services available to new mothers who have questions about lactation and breastfeeding, including how to pump and store milk, how to talk with your supervisor about scheduling lactation breaks, etc. Here are a few resources for your information:
Provides that state and political subdivisions: (1) shall provide for reasonable paid breaks for an employee to express breast milk for the employee's infant child; (2) must make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location other than a toilet stall in close proximity to the work area where the employee can express the employee's breast milk in privacy; and (3) must make reasonable efforts to provide for a refrigerator or other cold storage for keeping breast milk that has been expressed.
Provides that other employers that employ 25 or more individuals, to the extent reasonably possible, must provide: (1) a private location for an employee other than a toilet stall to express the employee's breast milk during any period away from the employee's assigned duties; and (2) a refrigerator or other cold storage space, or allow the employee to provide the employee's own portable storage device, for keeping the expressed milk until the end of the employee's work day.
Provides that, except in the case of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith, an employer is not liable for any harm caused by or arising from: (1) the expressing of an employee's breast milk; or (2) the storage of expressed milk; on the employer's premises.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.
IU Columbus
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