Workplace Breastfeeding Systems Ease Pumping
New workplace lactation systems help nursing employees by providing pumps and sterile kits, reducing daily gear.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Child Care
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MilkMate, founded in 2020, provides workplace lactation systems that include FDA-cleared breast pumps and pre-sterilized kits to assist nursing employees. The service helps companies meet requirements for providing private pumping spaces.
Why it matters
Managing lactation logistics often creates a burden for working mothers, and many employers still struggle to provide non-bathroom spaces for pumping. MilkMate aims to alleviate these logistical hurdles as organizations work to comply with regulations like the PUMP Act.
MilkMate currently operates over 300 installations across more than 100 employers in the U.S. and Mexico. The company has supported over 30,000 pumping sessions, reporting that 97% of users experienced a seamless return to work.
The players
MilkMate
A company that provides workplace lactation infrastructure and has raised $10 million in funding.
The details
The MilkMate system outfits dedicated rooms with multi-user breast pumps and pre-sterilized breast shield kits to remove the need for employees to bring personal gear. By providing these kits, the system eliminates the 15 plastic pieces typically required for a single pumping session. The company manages all restocking and maintenance behind the scenes for client employers.
Timeline
2011: Author experiences the challenge of pumping in a bathroom.
2020: MilkMate is created to improve workplace lactation support.
December 2022: The PUMP Act is signed into law.
April 2026: A study highlights the difficulty for employers in finding non-bathroom pumping spaces.
The Home Front
Workplace lactation support is evolving from an ad-hoc arrangement into a standard logistical expectation for employers. This shift follows the implementation of the PUMP Act, which mandates private space for nursing parents for up to a year after birth.
If you are returning to work while nursing, check if your employer provides a dedicated lactation room that is not a bathroom. You can inquire if your HR department offers pre-stocked breast pump supplies or if you need to coordinate the transport of your own equipment.
The takeaway
Workplace lactation support can significantly reduce the amount of equipment employees need to carry daily. Families should advocate for employer-provided, non-bathroom spaces as a standard logistical support for the first year postpartum.
Further reading
Learn more about balancing work and family life in our Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Forbes.
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Should employers be responsible for providing all necessary equipment for nursing mothers in the workplace?
