Breastfeeding in the workplace

Colorado Lactation Laws

• Learn about Colorado Lactation Laws on the Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website.
  • Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition. (website)

Your rights at work

• Learn more about your rights at work. 
  • Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)

Employer training video

Developed by the Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition, the video goes step by step through the different elements a health department, breastfeeding coalition, or community-based organization should have in place to work with local employers.

• How to Work with Employers to be Breastfeeding Friendly. (YouTube)

Employer training slide deck

• Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition Employer printable slide deck. (PDF)
   

Breastfeeding and Working Moms

A 3-part video series created in 2010.

• Breastfeeding and Working Moms Part 1
  • Part 1 explains the importance and benefits of breastfeeding and introduces issues that may be encountered in the workplace.
    • Breastfeeding and Working Moms: Part 1. (YouTube video)
• Breastfeeding and Working Moms Part 2
  • Part 2 explains Colorado's Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Law and how it supports working moms who want to express milk during the workday so they can continue breastfeeding their babies.
    • Breastfeeding and Working Moms: Part 2. (YouTube video)
• Breastfeeding and Working Moms Part 3
  • Part 3 offers suggestions to working moms on how to approach their employer to secure time and a private place to express milk during the work day so they can continue to breastfeed their baby. 
    • Breastfeeding and Working Moms: Part 3. (YouTube video)
       

• Breastfeeding help, resources, and toolkits. (Colorado WIC webpage)

Colorado Lactation-Friendly Workplace (LFW)

• Colorado Lactation Friendly Workplace toolkit. (PDF)
• LFW Downloadable Action Plan. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• LFW Policy Templates. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• LFW Evidence Document. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• LFW Communications Plan Template. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)

Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition

The Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition (COBFC) supports positive and successful breastfeeding for mothers and families.

• Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition (COBFC). (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• Lactation Space Ideas. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• Professional Organization links. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• Policy templates. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• Signage. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• State and Federal Law Documents. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• Frequently Asked Questions on Lactation Accommodation. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)

Colorado lactation laws

• Colorado lactation laws. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition webpage)
  • Colorado lactation laws PDF handout. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition)
• Colorado WIC Breastfeeding Laws Explained. (Colorado WIC website)
• Colorado breastfeeding in public law. (PDF)
• Colorado Workplace Accommodation for Nursing Mothers Act. (PDF)
• Summary of breastfeeding state laws. (National Conference of State Legislatures website)

Federal laws

• Federal workplace legislation under health care reform PUMP Act. (US Department of Labor website)
• Promoting workplace wellness through breastfeeding support. (PDF)

Advice from moms

• You can work and breastfeed (English). (PDF)
• Usted puede trabajar y amamantar a su bebe (Spanish). (PDF)
• Outreach pocket card (English and Spanish). (PDF)
• 2010 Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition (COBFC) videos
  • You can work and breastfeed (English). (COBFC YouTube video)
  • Usted puede trabajar y amamantar a su bebe (Spanish). (COBFC YouTube video)

Sample workplace policies

• Generic policy A. (PDF)
• Generic policy B - Alternatives. (PDF)
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. (PDF)
• Colorado Division of Human Resources. (PDF)

• Back to work resources

• Back to work checklist. (PDF)
• Breastfeeding conversation starters. (PDF)
• Breastfeeding in the workplace. (webpage)
• Breastfeeding essentials. (webpage)
• Breastfeeding support at work is the law.
  • Life with Breastfeeding Toolkit for Parents (English). (PDF)
  • Tu Vida y la Lactancia (Espanol). (PDF)
• Lactation Friendly Recognized Employer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• Talking to your boss about your pump 
  • English. (University of California Law San Francisco PDF)
  • Spanish. (University of California Law San Francisco PDF)
• Tips for approaching your supervisor. (PDF)
• What to do if your employer refuses to comply. (United States Breastfeeding Committee website)
• Workplace Support - Federal PUMP Act law guide. (United States Breastfeeding Committee website)

• Breastfeeding support, information, and pumps

• Colorado WIC. (WIC website)

• CDC

• The CDC website includes a Breastfeeding Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

• Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition

• Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)

• Colorado laws

• Colorado lactation laws support breastfeeding (English). (PDF)
• Leyes de lactancia materna de Colorado (Spanish). (PDF)

• Colorado WIC

• Colorado WIC website and resources are available in English and Spanish.
• Breastfeeding support, information, and pumps. (Colorado WIC website)
• Amamantando. (Colorado WIC website)
• Breastfeeding help, resources, and toolkits. (Colorado WIC webpage)
• Ayuda para la Lactancia. (Colorado WIC webpage)

• Employer breastfeeding information

• Breastfeeding information for employers at a glance. (PDF)
• Lactation-Friendly Workplace toolkit for employers. (PDF)
• Promoting employee wellness handout for employers. (PDF)
• Employer recognition program info flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)
• How to be an advocate flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)

• Insurance Covered Lactation Support

• Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
  • The Cover All Coloradans website includes Health Benefits for Children and Pregnant Persons.
  • Durable Medical Equipment website - Health First Colorado - Breast Pump Coverage
  • Breast pump provider - access list for members. (PDF)
    • Private Insurance (Healthcare.gov website)
    • Affordable Care Act (US Department of Health and Human Services website)
      • Breastfeeding coverage. (Healthcare.gov website)
      • National Women's Law Center Breastfeeding Benefits Toolkit. (PDF)
      • Find a pump. (Insurance Covered Breast Pumps website)
      • Questions to ask your insurance. (WIC breastfeeding website)

• Lactation-friendly child care providers and child care resources

• Find a Lactation-Friendly Child Care Provider in Colorado. (Healthy Child Care Colorado website)
• Breastfeeding in child care. (PDF)
• Choosing a breastfeeding-friendly child care. (PDF)
• Tips for Starting Your Breastfed Baby in Child Care: A toolkit for parents. (PDF)
• Consejos para que Su Bebe Comience a ir a la Guarderia: Un manual para los padres o tutores. (PDF)

• Lactation-friendly workplaces

• Lactation-Friendly Workplaces
  • Find a Lactation-Friendly Recognized Employer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
  • Employer recognition program info flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)
  • How to be an advocate flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)

• Lactation support covered by insurance

• Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
  • Cover All Coloradans' Health Benefits for Children and Pregnant Persons. (Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing website)
  • Durable Medical Equipment website - Health First Colorado - Breast Pump Coverage
  • Breast pump provider - access list for members. (PDF)
• Private insurance - Affordable Care Act
  • Breastfeeding coverage. (HealthCare.gov website)
  • National Women's Law Center Breastfeeding Benefits Toolkit. (PDF)
• Find a pump. (Insurance Covered Breast Pumps website)
• Questions to ask your insurance provider. (WIC Breastfeeding Support website)
• WIC Breastfeeding resources. (WIC website)

• La Leche League

• La Leche League of Mountain Plains website includes Colorado Groups. (La Leche Colorado website)
• La Leche League International. (La Leche International website)

• Letter to physicians

• Letter to physicians. (PDF)

• Maternal and Child Health (MCH) priority

• Promote positive child and youth development. (webpage)
• Healthy Eating Active Living. (webpage)

• Note to breastfeed

• Health care provider's medical note to breastfeed. (PDF)

• Office on Women’s Health 

• The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) website offers breastfeeding tips and workplace support in English and in Spanish. You can also call the OWH HELPLINE: 1-800-994-9662 7 a.m. — 4 p.m. MST, Monday—Friday.
  • Breastfeeding tips. (Office on Women's Health website)
  • Lactancia materna. (Office on Women's Health website)
  • Breastfeeding at home, at work, and in public. (Office on Women's Health website)
  • Lactancia materna en el hogar, en el trabajo y en público. (Office on Women's Health website)

• Your rights at work

• Your Right to Milk Expression at Work (English). (PDF)
• Su Derecho a Extraerse Leche Materna en el Trabajo (Spanish). (PDF)
   

Being a lactation-friendly workplace demonstrates an organization’s commitment to supporting families, assists parents in achieving their lactation goals, and creates a positive, family-friendly image for your organization. It is also a strategic way to attract, retain, and engage employees.

Steps to take

1. Learn about Colorado Lactation Laws. 
2. Watch the Employer Training Video (~15 minutes). Review the printable slide deck. 
3. Review the Colorado lactation-friendly employer toolkit. 
4. Check out additional resources and apply for statewide Lactation Friendly Workplace recognition through the Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition
5. Submit your application.
6. View a list of Lactation Friendly Recognized workplaces. 

Additional employer resources

• Colorado Workplace Accommodation for Nursing Mothers Act. (PDF)
• Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers on the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment website.
• Break Time for Nursing Mothers webpage on the U.S. Department of Labor website.
• Workplace Support in Federal Law webpage on the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee website.
• Supporting Nursing Moms at Work: Employer Solutions information on the Office on Women’s Health website.
• Business Case for Breastfeeding webpage on the Office on Women’s Health website.
• Lactation Break Time and Space in all Industries - examples and support for creating lactation spaces and assisting employees on the Office on Women’s Health website.
• The CDC Guide to Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers and Babies PDF.
• The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding on the US Department of Health and Human Services website.
• Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website.
• Make a Breastfeeding-Friendly Health Department webpage on the Dakota County website.

Breastfeeding support, information, and pumps

• Colorado WIC breastfeeding support, information, and pumps. (WIC website)

Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition

• Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)

Colorado laws

• Colorado lactation laws support breastfeeding (English). (PDF)
• Leyes de lactancia materna de Colorado (Spanish). (PDF)

Colorado WIC

Colorado WIC website and resources are available in English and Spanish.

• Breastfeeding support, information, and pumps. (Colorado WIC website)
• Amamantando. (Colorado WIC website)
• Breastfeeding help, resources, and toolkits. (Colorado WIC webpage)
• Ayuda para la Lactancia. (Colorado WIC webpage)

Lactation-friendly child care providers

• Find a Lactation-Friendly Child Care Provider in Colorado. (Healthy Child Care Colorado website)

Lactation-friendly workplaces

• Find a Lactation-Friendly Recognized Employer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
• Employer recognition program info flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)
• How to be an advocate flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)

Lactation support is covered by insurance

• Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
  • The Cover All Coloradans website includes Health Benefits for Children and Pregnant Persons.
  • Durable Medical Equipment website - Health First Colorado - Breast Pump Coverage
  • Breast pump provider - access list for members. (PDF)
• Private insurance - Affordable Care Act
  • Breastfeeding coverage. (HealthCare.gov website)
  • National Women's Law Center Breastfeeding Benefits Toolkit. (PDF)
• Find a pump. (Insurance Covered Breast Pumps website)
• Questions to ask your insurance provider. (WIC Breastfeeding Support website)

La Leche League

• La Leche League of Mountain Plains website includes Colorado Groups. (La Leche League Colorado website)
• La Leche League International. (La Leche International website)

Workplace support

• Workplace Support - Federal PUMP Act law guide. (United States Breastfeeding Committee website)
• What to do if your employer refuses to comply. (United States Breastfeeding Committee website)
• Office on Women's Health Resources
  • Office on Women’s Health Breastfeeding Tips. (Office on Women’s Health website)
  • Office on Women’s Health Workplace Support. (Office on Women’s Health website)
  • Call the OWH HELPLINE: 1-800-994-9662 7 a.m. — 4 p.m. MST, Monday — Friday (except on federal holidays).