Lactation, Breastfeeding & Chestfeeding

Breast/chestfeeding provides many health, nutritional, economical, and emotional benefits to nursing individuals and their babies. There are also significant benefits to the community, workplace, and the environment. Learn more about the benefits of breast/chestfeeding.

What does state law say about nursing and lactating employees?

Under MN State Statute 81.939, employees have the right to express human milk for their infant during the year following the birth of the child. An employer cannot reduce an employee's compensation for time used expressing milk. Also, the employer must make reasonable efforts to provide a space, other than a bathroom or toilet stall, that is private and secure, and has access to an electrical outlet, for the purpose of expressing milk.

In the spirit of inclusion, Bloomington Public Health is broadening the terms it uses related to how people feed their babies. Inclusive language makes sure no one is excluded from the birth experience and gives us all our autonomy. View an Infant Feeding Glossary from the CDC.