Lactation Policy | GME Institutional Manual

Policy Statement

In alignment with State, Federal, ACGME Institutional Requirements, and the University of Minnesota's policies, all residency and fellowship training programs must ensure that adequate break time is provided for lactating individuals to express milk following the birth of their child. Program directors, chief residents, and trainees should collaborate to establish a break schedule that accommodates the needs of the lactating individual without significantly disrupting the training program's operations.

The University of Minnesota and Clinical Affiliates offer designated Lactation Rooms. These rooms are private, quiet, and comfortable spaces equipped for expressing and storing breast milk. Consistent with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, no lactating individual shall be required to use a bathroom to express milk.

Related Information

The University of Minnesota Graduate Medical Education administration and training programs fully support your decision to continue providing breast milk for your baby. Breastfeeding is well-documented to significantly enhance the health and well-being of both you and your baby.

University of Minnesota: Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnancy and Related Conditions
Minnesota Statute 181.939 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=181.939)
Minnesota Statute: 145.905 Location for Breastfeeding (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=145.905)
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, known as the “Affordable Care Act”) http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ148/pdf/PLAW-111publ148.pdf (section 4207)
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”), signed into law on March 23, 2010 (P.L. 111-148), amended Section 7 of the FLSA, to provide a break time requirement for nursing parent.
Break Time for Nursing Parents FAQ

Procedures

The current list of Lactation Rooms can be accessed via this link https://lacspaces.umn.edu/ and clicking on the list of public lactation spaces on the Twin Cities Campus. For hospital site specific lactation spaces download the Med-Ed to Go App.

Planning Breaks:
- Lactating individuals are encouraged to work with their program director or chief resident to create a reasonable schedule that includes breaks for expressing milk. These breaks should be integrated into the daily schedule in a way that supports the individual's needs while maintaining the integrity of the training program.
Off-Site Rotations:
- When rotating to hospitals or sites outside the University of Minnesota, lactating individuals should contact the Graduate Medical Education (GME) coordinator or site director in advance to arrange access to a private room for expressing milk. The GME program administrator or site director will also assist in planning appropriate break times during the rotation.