The Student’s Guide to Breastfeeding & Pumping on College Campus

You have the right to nurse or breast pump - as well as to the time, space, and privacy to do so. Find answers to your questions about where, when, and how to comfortably breast pump or nurse while attending college on campus.

Being a student mom might seem impossible sometimes, but we’re here to support you and show you that it can be done!

Are there laws around breastfeeding support for students?
Title IX, a federal law, prohibits discrimination based on sex. This includes discrimination based on pregnancy-related conditions such as lactation, breastfeeding, and breast pumping. 

Under Title IX, educational institutions that receive federal funding are required to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant and parenting students. This may include lactation support such as access to private and clean spaces for expressing breast milk, and reasonable break times to do so. Additionally, institutions may need to make accommodations with class scheduling to ensure that lactating students have the opportunity to express milk as needed.

If I miss class to pump or breastfeed, could my grades drop?
Pregnancy and related medical conditions are covered by Title IX federal law. If you’re penalized for missing class time or school work due to lactation, that may constitute illegal discrimination.

Can I pump and/or breastfeed at college?
Many college campuses are supportive of breastfeeding and pumping for nursing mothers.

Colleges often have policies in place to accommodate the needs of breastfeeding students. It's a good idea to check with your college's Title IX, health services, or student affairs office to find out about the specific facilities and resources available for breastfeeding or pumping on campus.

For students in Colorado, several colleges have lactation policies published online, including University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, and University of Colorado. These policies frequently recognize that appropriate adjustments should be made to accommodate lactating students, and address common issues:

• Whether lactation rooms are available
  
• How to work with instructors to get accommodations
  
• Whether refrigeration for breast milk is provided
  
• Accommodations during tests and exams
  
• Times/breaks to pump and/or nurse
  
• Who to contact with questions
  
• Whether students may bring children to campus or classrooms
  

For any questions about the policy, or for questions that are not addressed in by the lactation policy, typically colleges will refer students to the Title IX coordinator for further information.

Where can I pump breast milk on college campus?
Here are some common places where you might find lactation rooms on a college campus:

• Health Services or Wellness Centers
  
• Student Health Clinic
  
• Library
  
• Student Union or Campus Center
  
• Dedicated Lactation Centers
  
• Family Resource Center
  
• Human Resources or Employee Services
  
• Residence Halls or Student Housing
  
• Women’s Centers
  
• Online Campus Maps
  

If you're having trouble finding a suitable space for pumping or breastfeeding, consider contacting the campus health services, counseling center, or the office of student affairs. They can help ensure that you have a comfortable and supportive environment for pumping breast milk while on campus.

What is a lactation room?
Some colleges may provide lactation rooms, which offer privacy for breastfeeding and/or breast pumping. These rooms - they may also be booths or pods - offer a cleaner alternative to restrooms and locker rooms. 

What should I bring with me to the lactation room?
This depends on your personal preferences and the specifics of the lactation room, but you may consider bringing:

• Breast pump
  
• Storage containers
  
• Cooler bag
  
• Nursing cover or shawl
  
• Chair cushion or pillow
  
• Hygiene items
  
• Nipple cream
  
• Extra breast pump parts
  
• Entertainment
  
• Water bottles and snacks
  
• Hands-free pumping bra
  
• Breastfeeding pillow
  
• Timer
  
• Charger for electronics
  

Being a student mom is hard. We want to help make it easier.

It’s important to note that breastfeeding is protected by law in many places, including on college campuses. If you're unsure where to breastfeed or encounter any challenges, consider reaching out to campus resources, such as health services or student affairs, for assistance.

Are you a pregnant student experiencing an unplanned pregnancy? Are you wondering how you’re going to feed your baby and also stay in college? We can help you navigate this new chapter of life. We have many free resources available to you - including tuition assistance, career development counseling, and even housing. Call or text us today at (720) 386-6009 to learn more, or visit our pregnancy Help page.