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Lactation in the Workplace Resources

The University of Kentucky has Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Guidelines in place to encourage and support mothers in the workplace. Both babies and mothers derive many benefits from breastfeeding, such as fewer illnesses, fewer infections, and lower health care costs. Moreover, employees who breastfeed are happier and more engaged in the workplace. UK Work-Life is committed to assisting mothers in finding an easily accessible, secure space to express milk at work. E-mail or call us at 218-0461 for individual consultations.

The basic needs of breastfeeding employees are minimal:

• Privacy for milk expression - A private office (with lock) or an on-site, designated room with an electrical outlet.
• Flexible breaks and work options - Women need to express milk every three hours to maintain milk production, needing 2-3 breaks during an 8-hour work day. On average, each milk expression can take approximately 15 – 20 minutes but will vary from mother to mother, depending upon a number of factors such as physical health, emotional and physical stress, milk production, prior experience with lactation, and equipment.
• Education - Information and resources to support the mother (and father) in balancing the requirements for breastfeeding with their job responsibilities.
• Support - A positive, accepting attitude from upper management, supervisors and coworkers helps breastfeeding employees feel confident in their ability to continue working while breastfeeding.

Finding a Space

Now that you've returned to work, it is important to find a private space to express milk. UK is in the process of developing designated lactation spaces for employees around campus. Download our Lactation Room Sign in Sheet here (pdf).

Currently, four designated lactation spaces exist:

Patterson Office Tower
This lactation space is located in Patterson Office Tower 214A (second floor). You can access the room via the kitchen between 7:30/8:00 AM and 6:00 PM Monday – Friday; this space is closed on the weekends. No key is needed since the door locks from the inside. You are welcome to stop by POT 202 in the Dean’s office to have someone show you the room.

Contact and reservations: Please contact Abbie Loynachan 859-257-1375 or abbie.loynachan@uky.edu to reserve the room.

Kentucky Clinic
This lactation space is on the ground floor of the Kentucky Clinic in room K005. There are 2-3 privacy spaces within the room for lactation expression. You can access this room 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday – Friday; it is closed on the weekends. To use the room, stop by the information desk on the 1st floor of the Kentucky Clinic and sign-out the key; please return this key to the information desk after you leave.

Contact and reservations: Contact the Kentucky Clinic Information Desk at 257-9805. Reservations can be made in person at the Information Desk.

Moms Express, Chandler Hospital
This lactation space is located in room N301G, and is easily accessible by taking Elevator C to the third floor. You can access this room 24/7 except for some holidays. The room remains unlocked, but please go to the nursing station down the hall if you cannot open the door. There are 3 pumping stations separated by curtains and partitions. Medela Symphony hospital grade pumps are available, but mothers will need to bring their own tubing.

Contact and reservations: Contact the lactation department for more information about this room: 859-323-4880 or beeper: 859-330-6396. Reservations are not available.

UK Good Samaritan Hospital
This lactation space is located in Room B103A -- across from the Security/ID Badge Office on the 1st floor. You can access this room via a key code (available by calling the Administration Office at 226-7150) or asking Security for access.

Contact and reservations: For additional information or to reserve the room, contact the Administration Office 24/7 at 226-7150.

If you are not close to a designated space, consider other possibilities:

• an office (your own or a borrowed one)
• a conference room (schedule yourself at regular times)

For help locating space, please contact:

• Natalie Pendleton, UK Work-Life, at 859-218-0461 or natalie.pendleton@uky.edu
• Carrie Davidson, Health & Wellness, at carrie.davidson@uky.edu

New UK Lactation Guidelines

Recognizing the importance of breastfeeding for both mothers and their infants, and of promoting a family-friendly work and study environment, the University provides breastfeeding and lactation guidelines. Read more.

Lactation Resources and Links

Where to find breastfeeding help and support.

UK Employee Success Stories

UK employees offer suggestions on how to continue breastfeeding after you return to work. Learn more.

We are looking for success stories and tips from mothers who have successfully managed breastfeeding while working at UK. If you have advice or information you would like to share, please e-mail your information to natalie.pendleton@uky.edu in the Work-Life office.