BREASTFEEDING

💙 MOM’S SUPPORT MATTERS

This isn’t something you have to do alone—it is a family journey that works best with time, patience, and teamwork.

“Feeding your baby is a family affair. It takes time, practice, patience—and teamwork. Your family, especially your partner, will be vital to helping you meet your breastfeeding goals. It’s a good idea to talk about your decision to breastfeed before your baby arrives. This will give you time to learn, prepare, and plan together.”
USDA WIC Breastfeeding Support

Before your baby arrives, it can be helpful to begin by creating a simple plan for breastfeeding —thinking about what support you may need, who can help, and how you will prepare together as a family.

👨‍👩‍👧 SUPPORT FROM OTHERS

Every member of the family and community can play an important role in supporting a new mother as she adjusts to life with a new baby.

Dear Fathers:

You play a powerful role in this journey. Your support helps ensure both mom and baby stay healthy and feel supported. As you adjust to parenthood together, communicate often, share responsibilities, and look for small ways to help each day. Your presence and encouragement matter more than you may realize.

Dear Grandparents:

Your role is one of steady love and guidance. One of the greatest gifts you can offer is encouragement and support as your daughter or daughter-in-law learns to breastfeed. Whether through kind words, helping with daily tasks, or simply listening, your support helps create a calmer and more confident experience for both mom and baby.

Dear Friends & Family:

Your support can make a real difference. Learning about breastfeeding, respecting boundaries, offering practical help, and creating a supportive environment all contribute to a smoother transition. Small acts of encouragement go a long way in helping new parents feel confident and supported.

Dear Neighbors & Community:

Just a friendly reminder that feeding your baby is a natural and protected part of motherhood. In Utah, mothers are supported in their right to breastfeed in public, and it is always considered appropriate and lawful.

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a federal law that requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to workers with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship for the employer. These protections help ensure that pregnant workers can remain safely employed while receiving the support they need during pregnancy and recovery.

Why This Law Matters

Most first-time pregnant women continue working until their final month of pregnancy. At the same time, many workers report concerns about discrimination or lack of reasonable accommodations during pregnancy, and some consider leaving their jobs as a result. Because most working women will experience pregnancy while employed at some point in their lives, workplace protections like the PWFA play an important role in supporting both employees and employers.

Examples of Reasonable Accommodations

• Additional, longer, or more flexible breaks to eat, drink, rest, or use the restroom
• Changes to work schedules, such as shorter hours, part-time work, or later start times
• Permission to carry food or water during work when it is normally restricted
• Leave for medical appointments or recovery after childbirth

Employer Guidance

Employers are encouraged to train supervisors and staff on PWFA requirements so they are prepared to respond to accommodation requests in a consistent and supportive manner.

Fair Labor Standards Act (Pump at Work Protections)

Federal law also requires employers to provide reasonable break time and a private space (not a bathroom) for employees to express breast milk for up to one year after childbirth. These protections support nursing employees as they return to work.

Utah Workplace Lactation Law

Utah law requires public employers to support breastfeeding employees by providing reasonable break time and access to a private space for expressing milk when possible. Employers are also expected to adopt workplace policies that support breastfeeding and ensure employees are not discriminated against for breastfeeding in the workplace.

Key Utah Workplace Requirements

1. Provide reasonable break time for breastfeeding employees
2. Provide access to a private space and, when available, refrigeration or safe storage
3. Adopt workplace policies that support breastfeeding employees
4. Prohibit discrimination against employees who are breastfeeding

Sources

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (PWFA guidance), U.S. Department of Labor (Pump at Work protections), Utah State Legislature (H.B. 242 workplace lactation law), U.S. Census Bureau (maternal employment data), and the Bipartisan Policy Center (workplace pregnancy accommodation survey research).

When to Prepare

Prepare during your third trimester by learning about breastfeeding and joining a support group for nursing moms.

What to Expect

Experiences vary, and whether it’s your first or not, each baby is unique, making breastfeeding a learning process.

How To Make It Work

Cesarean Birth – Breastfeeding after a C-section fosters bonding.

Multiple Babies – Nursing multiples is tough, but crucial.

Premature Babies – Preemies require breastmilk’s benefits even more due to their heightened health risks.

Feeding Positions – Choosing the ideal breastfeeding position varies. Opt for what suits you and your baby best.

Hunger Cues – Be aware so you can feed your child promptly and maintain feeding awareness as they grow.

First Weeks – Breastmilk offers optimal nutrition and gentleness for your baby’s developing system.

Combating Soreness – Nipple care strategies for lactating mothers.

Your Personal Care Matters

Emotional Roller Coasters – Pregnancy and motherhood bring excitement, joy, anxiety, and overwhelm.

Maternal Mental Health – Postpartum depression and anxiety affect 1 in 8 Utah women.

Proper Nutrition – Nutrition is important for breastfeeding, especially in the first 2–3 weeks.

We Have Community Support Available

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) – WIC offers nutrition support, breastfeeding aid, and food assistance for eligible families. Services include nutrition education, peer counseling, breastfeeding support, and breastfeeding aids.

🏥 Hospital Breastfeeding Support

The following hospitals in Southwest Utah offer breastfeeding and lactation support.

🍼 Pump Rentals

Providers offering equipment support to help continue breastfeeding at home or returning to work.