by Pauline M. Campos
February 11, 2008

Not only is Oregon listed among the top five states with the highest breastfeeding rates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the city of Portland has also been listed as one of the best cities in America to have a baby.

If that’s not enough to make any breastfeeding mother wonder how fast she could pack her family’s bags and relocate to Oregon, maybe the right to pump at work would seal the deal?

That’s right, according to a new law that went into effect last month in the state, employers with 25 or more employees are required to provide both time and space to pump breast milk. (Read more here.)

All eyes are now on Oregon and its national precedent setting action. And while employers are reacting positively, it is still recommended that mothers intending to take advantage of their new right notify their employer’s human resources department to provide ample notice.

Basics include:

• Reasonable rest periods must be provided, which translates into a 30 minute break for every four hours worked. (Exceptions may fall under the “undue hardships” employer provision, which may affect nursing moms who may be the only employee working the graveyard or swing shift.)

• Breaks are not required by the new law to be paid. If an employer is required by another law or contractual obligation to provide paid rest or meal breaks, it is recommended mothers use that time instead for pumping.

• If an employee cannot pump during her regular break, she is entitled to additional, unpaid, 30-minute pumping breaks.

• A private location, other than a public bathroom or toilet stall, must be provided that is near the employee’s work station.

• The employee is responsible for storing her own pumped milk while the employer must allow workers to bring in coolers or insulated containers and provide space to store the container.

• Breastfeeding moms are covered by the law until their child reaches 18 months of age.

• Employers who do not comply can face penalties of up to $1,000 in the form of civil fines.

“There is no nutrient as important to an infant as breast milk,” Oregon House of Representatives House Speaker Jeff Merkley was quoted as saying before the bill went to the Senate for approval. “This bill gives nursing mothers more opportunities to provide that nourishment to their children and that is something we should encourage in as many ways as possible.”

Hats off to Oregon lawmakers for recognizing the right of breastfeeding mothers to pump while at work. And here’s to the day that the other 49 states wake up and smell the breast milk!