Most working mothers lack reliable lactation support at work, survey shows

While breastfeeding remains a priority for parents, structural barriers continue to make the journey challenging — especially in workplaces.

According to a survey by Mamava and Medela, nearly 90% of parents cited the health benefits of breastfeeding — for both baby and mother — as their primary motivation, and nearly half (45%) said they breastfed specifically to avoid relying on formula. While 66% of respondents met the recommendation to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, sustaining the practice beyond one year remains a challenge: Only 54% were still breastfeeding at one year, and just 16% continued to two years, the updated target recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization. 

These findings highlight how difficult it is for parents to meet updated health guidelines without stronger support systems in place, according to Sascha Mayer, Mamava's cofounder. 

"Breastfeeding looks different for different parents, but one thing we know for certain is that support for breastfeeding — in workplaces and in public — is not meeting the needs of today's parents," Mayer said in a release. 

Read more: How lactation support in the workplace benefits employees and businesses

Pumping presents major barriers

Pumping emerged as one of the most significant challenges for breastfeeding parents, as navigating pumping equipment and finding places to pump were two major obstacles, according to the survey. 

These hurdles highlight the importance of dedicated lactation spaces in workplaces and public areas — equipped with amenities like hospital-grade pumps, cleaning supplies, and secure storage for milk and equipment. For employers in particular, investing in these resources represents a tangible opportunity to reduce some of the biggest challenges parents face.

"There obviously needs to be a setup to use the breast pump — a comfortable place to sit, a place to power the equipment," Mayer previously shared with EBN. "And while this is often an opportunity for a new mom to multi-task, to check emails or take a conference call, we also encourage employees to use this as a break time. You need the headspace sometimes to produce milk." 

Read more: Here's what a breastfeeding-friendly workplace looks like

Yet although 76% of respondents work either full or part time, less than half (44%) feel supported at work, and one in three lack reliable access to a lactation space. Even more concerning, only 55% are aware of their protections under the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, a 2022 federal law requiring employers to provide lactation accommodations. The data points to an urgent need for employers to improve both physical infrastructure and employee education around rights and resources.

For HR and benefits leaders, the survey underscores the importance of going beyond compliance and creating a truly supportive culture for new parents. In addition to dedicated lactation rooms and hospital-grade pumps, employers should consider flexibility for new parents, especially for those managing pumping schedules.  

Additionally, health and wellness benefits can play an important role for new parents. Covering access to lactation consultants through insurance, or offering onsite or virtual consultations, gives parents professional guidance when they need it most. For employees who travel, providing safe breast milk shipping services helps ensure that feeding goals don't have to be disrupted by work commitments.

Read more: This CEO supports working moms by creating state-of-the-art nursing suites

Finally, broader family-friendly benefits can reinforce these efforts. Paid parental leave, on-site childcare or partnerships with local providers can ease the transition back to work. Together, these policies create an ecosystem of support that helps working parents succeed both at home and on the job.

"All of these things make it less disruptive for the employee and thus for the employer, by providing all of that support," Mayer shared with EBN. "Ultimately, we're going to save the employer money because of the medical and health benefits for both maternal health and for child health, and there's momentum around providing support in order to keep employees happy and engaged."