Welcome to Workplace Lactation Week™, a dedicated week celebrated along with National Breastfeeding Month. This year, we're focused on A World of Support: Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplaces Everywhere. This themed week serves as an invaluable resource for leaders, parents, and businesses, providing essential information, resources, and best practices to promote a truly supportive and lactation-friendly work environment for everyone.

Planning for this important initiative began in 2022, with the first-ever Workplace Lactation Week™ celebrated September 1-7, 2023. It is now celebrated annually from September 1st to September 7th to coincide with Labor Day.

The theme for Workplace Lactation Week 2025 is "A World of Support: Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplaces Everywhere." This theme emphasizes support in any work environment a parent occupies, meeting them where they are—whether they work in an office, a factory, remotely, in the field, or are traveling abroad. In the United States, a robust framework of federal, state, and local lactation laws now exists to guide organizations and truly support new parents. Key among these are the federal PUMP (Providing Urgent Maternal Protections) Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), all aimed at enhancing support and ensuring that working and pumping parents have the necessary protections and accommodations to thrive.

Beyond the U.S., the importance of workplace lactation support is recognized globally. Many countries have implemented their own national laws and policies, often drawing inspiration from international standards such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) Maternity Protection Convention, which advocates for maternity leave, health protection, and breastfeeding breaks as part of a comprehensive approach to supporting working mothers. Our collective goal is to foster environments where all parents, regardless of their location, feel supported in their decision to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.

Events for Workplace Lactation Week 2025 are in progress. We are tentatively planning on hosting:

• Creative Solutions for Lactation Accommodation in the Modern Workplace (U.S. focus)
• A Talk With The Only IBCLC within 5 Central African Countries and How She Supports Workplace Lactation (Global focus)
• IBCLC Info Session for aspiring lactation consultants located in Central Africa (African focus, pending timing)
• Social Media Campaign: Show Us Your Lactation Room - Tag @WorkplaceLactationWeek on Facebook and/or Instagram to highlight how you support workplace lactation!

Workplace Lactation Week™ is observed annually from September 1st to September 7th. This week not only celebrates the contributions of nursing mothers and parents in the workplace but also aligns with Labor Day, highlighting the vital role working and pumping parents play in the workforce. It's a time to recognize and support the efforts of working parents who balance the responsibilities of their careers and caring for their children.

Supporting nursing mothers at work goes beyond basic compliance; it fosters a workplace culture that values employees' well-being and recognizes the critical role of chest/breastfeeding. Here's why workplace lactation support matters:

1. Health and Well-being: Chest/breastfeeding offers unparalleled health benefits for babies, enhancing their immunity and overall development. For mothers, lactating reduces the risk of various health conditions such as ovarian, breast, and thyroid cancers, and promotes postpartum recovery.
2. Employee Retention and Satisfaction: Providing lactation support demonstrates care and commitment to employees, leading to higher job satisfaction and improved retention rates.
3. Increased Productivity: When nursing mothers and parents have access to comfortable and designated lactation spaces, they can express human milk efficiently and return to work with increased focus and productivity.
4. Legal Compliance: Complying with lactation support laws not only avoids penalties but also reinforces a company's commitment to ethical practices and family-friendly policies.

• Stay informed about the specific legal obligations in each country where you have a presence. This includes understanding national labor laws, parental leave policies, and explicit provisions for breastfeeding or expressing milk at work.
• Implement policies that meet or exceed local legal requirements, striving for global best practices that foster a positive and supportive environment for all employees, regardless of their location.
• Continuously review and adapt policies to reflect evolving legislation and cultural norms surrounding breastfeeding support worldwide.

Collaborate with Experts: Partner with workplace lactation experts, breastfeeding organizations, and government organizations to enhance your network and support parents at work.

Community Events: Join our community events, where nursing mothers, parents, leaders, and businesses can connect, share experiences, and inspire each other to support working parents.

Spread the Word: 

• First celebrated in 2023, 2025 is the Third Annual Workplace Lactation Week™!
• Official Facebook Page: Facebook.com/WorkplaceLactationWeek
• Official Instagram Page: @WorkplaceLactationWeek or Instagram.com/WorkplaceLactationWeek
• Download The 2025 Logo
• Hashtags: #WLW #WLW2025 and #WorkplaceLactationWeek

Feedback and Surveys: Engage with participants and gather feedback to assess the effectiveness and impact of your workplace lactation support programs and readiness for new and existing legislation.

Tracking Progress: Monitor absenteeism rates, employee satisfaction, and retention data to measure the positive impact of lactation support on your organization. The “Business Case for Breastfeeding” is a great example of the positive impact supporting pumping parents has on the bottom line.

Join us during Workplace Lactation Week™ 2025 in celebrating the remarkable contributions of nursing mothers and parents in the workplace. Together, we can create a nurturing and supportive environment that empowers working parents, boosts employee well-being, and sets the stage for a thriving and positive workplace.