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Lactation Network at Clemson University

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A view of the front of the Cooper Library from the top of a grassy hill.

Clemson University promotes a family-friendly work and study environment for mothers and their infants. As a part of Clemson’s goal to provide employees, student workers and students with work/life balance, the University strives to offer clean, private space for new mothers to nurse and/or express breastmilk and flexible opportunities to do so during the work/school day.

Breastfeeding Information

The Clemson Lactation Network is a combination of:

  • Dedicated lactation rooms
  • Public spaces where one might be able to express milk
  • Reservable space for you to express milk (e.g., conference room)
  • Space volunteered by individuals

Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law

Effective March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act amended the Fair Labors Standard Act to require employers to provide a nursing mother reasonable break time to express breast milk after the birth of her child. The amendment also requires that employers provide a place for an employee to express breast milk other than a bathroom.

Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 207) is amended by adding at the end the following:

  1. An employer shall provide-
    1. A reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk; and
    2. A place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.
  2. An employer shall not be required to compensate an employee receiving reasonable break time under paragraph (1) for any work time spent for such purpose.
  3. An employer that employs less than 50 employees shall not be subject to the requirements of this subsection, if such requirements would impose an undue hardship by causing the employer significant difficulty or expense when considered in relation to the size, financial resources, nature, or structure of the employer’s business.

Nothing in this subsection shall preempt a State law that provides greater protections to employees than the protections provided for under this subsection.

Talking to my employer about lactation breaks

Tell your supervisor, manager, or Human Resources Partner during your pregnancy that you will need time and a space to pump breast milk when you return to work.

Your supervisor may not understand your needs once you return to work. Simply explain that you are going to continue breastfeeding and that you need flexible breaks and privacy in order to express milk while at work.

What to do if a lactation room is not clean

Please contact the CU Custodial Management Team at 864-656-0241 from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. or at 864-656-4950 from 1 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Additional Resources

 

Dedicated lactation rooms

  • Cooper Library
    • One room, 300D, a 77 square foot room located next door to the 309 Classroom
    • Available for walk-ins. See main circulation desk for key
    • Sink access across the hall
    • Bathroom facilities across the hall
    • Electrical outlets and comfortable furniture, and a table
    • Electric pump available
    • Microfridge
  • Poole Agriculture Center
    • One room, F-148
    • Keypad access lock, electrical outlets, and comfortable furniture
    • For room access, contact Leigh Dodson: 112 Poole Agriculture Center, 656-3660
    • 2 microfridges
  • Edwards Hall
    • One room, number 402
    • Sink access and paper products in adjacent kitchen area
    • Electrical outlets, comfortable furniture, and a table
    • For reservations, contact Mandy Topper (atopper@clemson.edu) or call 656-7640. Key may be picked up in 116 Edwards Hall, Monday – Friday from 8 am - 4:30pm
  • Advanced Materials Research Lab
    • One room, 2nd floor by mailroom
    • Key access, electrical outlets, tables, pack and play, mini-fridge and comfortable furniture
    • Sink in nearby break room
    • For room access, contact Wendy Baldwin: 656-6337
  • Littlejohn - Available on Athletic Event Days
    • One room on the north side of the building at the entrance off Ravenel Road
    • Sink available across the concourse
    • Electrical outlet and comfortable furniture
    • Walk-in access is available
  • Watt Family Innovation Center
    • One room, number 306JA
    • Sink available in the room
    • Microfridge
    • Electrical outlet and comfortable furniture
    • For room access, contact 656-9240 or 656-9409
    • Walk-ins: See Service Desk on main level for access
  • Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
    • One room, number G09 located on the ground floor of the atrium
    • Sink access
    • Electrical outlet and hospital grade chair with desk arm
    • Accessible by card access with “in use” signage
  • Clemson Centre (downtown Clemson)
    • One room, number 345
    • Sink access and paper products in adjacent break room
    • Electrical outlets, comfortable furniture, and a table
    • Room is accessibility via CU employee card access
    • Reservations required and can be booked through Outlook using room location CC3F-345
  • McWhorter Softball Stadium - Available on Athletic Event Days
    • One room, 123 - next to First Aid
    • Sink access
    • Electrical outlet and comfortable furniture
  • IPTAY Center Building
    • One room, number 306
    • Open weekdays 8am-5pm
    • Walk-Ins: See front desk on main level for access
    • Sink access
    • Electrical outlet and comfortable furniture
  • Humanities Hall
    • One room, HUM 155
    • Lockable room with keypad access
    • Available for walk-ins or appointments by contacting vhchapm@clemson.edu or 108 Strode Tower
    • Sink and paper products in room
    • Electrical outlet, comfortable furniture, and a table
    • Changing Table in room