Beyond Awareness: Building Real Support for Breastfeeding Mothers

Every August, during National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we join the global conversation about the many benefits of breastfeeding and the life-saving gift of donor human milk. But there’s something we can’t ignore in these conversations—something that too often gets left out.

We cannot talk about breastfeeding awareness without addressing the reality that so many mothers simply aren’t supported in their breastfeeding journeys. While countless campaigns urge mothers to breastfeed, the truth is that our society often makes that goal incredibly difficult. Many workplaces don’t offer adequate maternity leave. Many lack private spaces for pumping or flexibility for infant care.

While there are federal laws in place requiring workplaces to provide a private, non-bathroom space for mothers to pump, not every employee is entitled to that protection. Until recently, large groups of working women—such as nurses and teachers—were left out. In fact, it wasn’t until the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act passed in late 2022 that these professions finally gained the right to reasonable break time and a private place to express milk at work. Even now, certain employees remain exempt, including those in very small businesses with fewer than 50 employees if compliance would cause “undue hardship,” airline flight crew, and a handful of other specific roles. This means that for many women, pumping at work is still far from guaranteed.

Too many mothers face the impossible choice between feeding their babies the way they want and keeping their jobs.

Here at Mothers’ Milk Bank of Tennessee, we know we can’t change the policies of the entire world—but we can choose to lead by example.

That’s why we are deeply committed to creating a work environment that truly supports breastfeeding mothers:

Three Months Paid Maternity Leave – We want our team members to have time to heal, bond, and establish breastfeeding without the stress of rushing back to work before they’re ready.

Babies Welcome at Work – Moms can bring their babies to the milk bank until they turn one year old, making it easier to continue breastfeeding and easing the transition back to work.

Flexible Remote Work for Our Donor Screeners – Many of our donor screeners are mothers themselves. We give them the freedom to set their own schedules so they can work around nap times, feedings, and the unpredictable rhythms of parenthood.

These aren’t just “perks”—they’re our way of living out our mission to nurture babies and families. My hope is that by sharing what we do here at Mothers’ Milk Bank of Tennessee, we might inspire more workplaces—big or small—to rethink how they support parents. Because when mothers have the time, flexibility, and encouragement they need, everybody benefits: babies thrive, families feel stronger, and communities grow healthier.

Breastfeeding awareness starts with understanding the barriers—and then taking steps, however small, to remove them.

— Amy Painter

Executive Director

Mothers’ Milk Bank of Tennessee

Photo of Director of Donor Screening Services, Kaitlyn Solomon nursing her son at his one year old photo session.