Lactation Support Resources

Can you return to work and breastfeed? Yes! The longer you breastfeed, the healthier it is for you and your baby. Purdue University encourages expectant mothers to talk with their supervisor about their lactation plans a few weeks prior to returning to work. All supervisors and managers have been informed of the lactation spaces available and will work with you to establish space and your schedule. See the Employee Responsibilities and Resources pdf for details.

Additionally, registering for Purdue’s Lactation Support Program will offer you a variety of assistance and resources, including help with speaking with your supervisor. You can also contact Human Resources at 765-494-2222 for help at any time.

Lauren Ema, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, RNC-NIC, IBCLC, CLC, is a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner and international board-certified lactation consultant at the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. Lauren hopes that lactation services available on campus will help Purdue families navigate the challenges of infant feeding amidst parental leave and after return to work. Research has shown that employer-based lactation support programs decrease employee sick time and increase employee productivity, retention and satisfaction.

“Infant feeding affects a family’s everyday life, she shared. “Whether they are breastfeeding, mixed feeding or formula feeding, families and their children are more likely to flourish when they have a knowledgeable clinician guiding them and supporting them in their decisions along the way.”

Consultations are available in-person and virtually to all benefits-eligible employees and dependents covered on a Purdue medical plan. Call the CHL at 765-494-0111 to schedule a lactation consultation.

Building Healthy Families, a wellness program courtesy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, is a program to support growing families.

Offering personalized digital support through the Sydney™ Health mobile app or on anthem.com, Building Healthy Families’ convenient hub offers an extensive collection of tools and information – including access to virtual lactation support – to help you navigate your family’s unique journey at no extra cost to you.

More information about Building Healthy Families is available here.

Breastfeeding Support on LiveHealth Online offers virtual lactation consultations to help with a variety of common concerns, including latching, keeping your supply up with pumping, breasfeeding and going back to work and more. Sign up for LiveHealth Online and select “Breastfeeding Support” to schedule an appointment.

More information on LiveHealth Online’s Breasfeeding Support is available here.

Employees or their supervisor should contact the lactation space contact at least one month prior to needing the space. That person will assist in making arrangements for the employee to utilize the space privately. When more than one breastfeeding mother needs to use the designated lactation room, the contact person and mothers should negotiate milk expression times that are most convenient or best meet their needs.

Each location is maintained by the contact person listed. If you find additional space in a building not listed here or the information about a lactation space provided is not accurate, please contact us at 494-2222.

As part of Purdue University’s continued commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers, the following language has been put into building design handbooks:

Lactation Facilities

• Every building should have at least one space that can be used as a lactation room. The space should allow mothers to collect breast milk conveniently and in privacy. This requires comfortable seating, along with a work counter, electrical outlet for a breast pump, and a sink all within arm’s length.
• Refrigerated storage does not need to be provided in this room.
• It is not essential that this be a dedicated room. It could be a small conference room that is centrally scheduled for use by anyone in the building.
• Lactation rooms must be lockable.
• Lactation facilities may be adjacent to restrooms but should not be within restrooms.

A list of lactation spaces on the West Lafayette campus for faculty and staff is available here.

Purdue University is not required to provide additional paid break time to breastfeeding employees. In most situations, an employee can express her milk during normal meal and break times. However, additional time may be needed and supervisors are encouraged to reasonably flex schedules to allow for these exceptions. For assistance or additional information, supervisors can contact Human Resources at 765-494-2222 or complete the Information Request form.

Supervisor Responsibilities and Resources are outlined to provide additional information to those in supervisor/manager roles.

Purdue strives to be a partner in the success of all students, including student parents. To receive a mother’s packet with resources for expecting and breastfeeding mothers, please submit this form. As part of the Healthcare Reform Act, all medical plans are required to provide coverage for breast pumps. Please check with your insurance carrier for additional details and recommendations on obtaining yours.

Visit Purdue’s Span Plan Nontraditional Student Services for additional resources and guidance.

A partial list of the lactation spaces on campus is available here. These spaces are considered student-friendly – all are located in central, convenient locations and do not require key access to enter.
(Full list of campus lactation spaces)

Purdue University provides lactation spaces around campus for employees who need to express milk during their work hours. Due to building space, some spaces are multiuse and must be scheduled for utilization, but several lactation spaces are designated and permanent. Room contacts should then assist in scheduling the space to be privately utilized. When more than one breastfeeding employee needs to use the space, room contacts and employees should negotiate milk expression times that are most convenient or best meet their needs.

Lactation Space Contact Responsibilities and Resources are provided to assist those scheduling lactation spaces and more.

Appropriate signage for lactation space is available to download and print if needed.