Survey: More work needs to be done to support pumping in workplace

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Eighty-two percent of working mothers say their workplace could provide more support for breast pumping, according to a new survey from Aeroflow Breastpumps. 

Aeroflow Breastpumps surveyed 667 mothers who have had children within the past two years and are working while breast pumping. 

Improved access to private pumping rooms, better maternity leave policies, and an increased acceptance of pumping at work would enable moms to more easily meet and exceed their breastfeeding goals, while simultaneously continuing in their professional development, according to survey respondents. 

Notable survey results include: 

• Despite 75% of working mothers having a private pumping space at work, almost half (44%) have had negative interactions with their coworkers about pumping and breastfeeding. 

• Even though the PUMP Act of 2022, which expanded the legal right to ample breaks and private pumping space, has now been in effect for more than a year, 83% of working mothers state there is still a stigma attached to moms who breast pump at work. 

• While there have been significant improvements in providing space and resources for working mothers to breastfeed, 59% stated they are concerned that breastfeeding/pumping could impact their career growth. 

• More than 54% say that their employer’s pumping policies have made them consider a job/career change. 

Aeroflow Breastpumps conducted a similar survey in 2018. The number of women who feel there is a stigma attached to pumping at work has increased from 63% in 2018 to 83% in 2024. While there has been an increase in the number of employers who have a pumping policy at work (from 49% to 69%), more women today stated their employer’s pumping policies have made them consider a career change. 

“These survey results from 2018 and 2024 show that despite small gains for pumping mothers over the past few years and the abundance of information we have around the benefits of breastfeeding, there is still a lot of room for improvement in societal acceptance of breastfeeding mothers from employers,” said Dr. Jessica Madden, medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps. “The need for employers to provide sufficient physical space, time, resources, and emotional support to nursing employees is still paramount. Until we are able to provide adequate maternity leave policies to working mothers in our country, employers must provide ample support to breastfeeding moms when they return to work and are separated from their infants.” 

To view the full findings of the survey, please click here.