Lactation Support Programs
Are you a university student, faculty, or staff member who is nursing your baby?
The university offers designated lactation rooms and loans refrigerators to support your lactation needs.
Lactation Support Rooms
Important information about lactation rooms:
- Each Lactation Support Room provides a private, clean, comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for mothers to nurse, express milk, and keep their milk fresh with refrigeration.
- Rooms are operated on a first-come, first-served basis. For those authorized to use the room, times may be either scheduled or drop-in depending on the number of users.
- Most rooms are equipped with hot and cold running water, a microwave, a refrigerator and comfortable seating.
- For more information or to obtain access, contact Jen Mirabile, Sr. HR Programs Coordinator at 541-346-2195 or mirabile@uoregon.edu.
Lactation Support Rooms by Location (lactation pumps are not provided)
UO Family Friendly Map
(includes lactation room information)
Room schedules can be viewed on the university's Outlook calendar. Open your Outlook calendar and select "Open Calendar" on the top menu, select "From Room List" and search by "More Columns." Type in "lactation"and search for rooms.
All rooms are locked for privacy and require scheduling.To obtain access, contact Jen Mirabile, Sr. HR Programs Coordinator at 541-346-2195 or mirabile@uoregon.edu.
- Allan Price Science Commons and Research Library, Ground Floor
Go to the library information desk and ask for directions to the room. Room has outlets and refrigeration available.
- CPFM Warehouse, Room 117A
The room is located in the CPFM Warehouse on the ground floor. This is building #130 on the university campus map and is located on the north side of Franklin Boulevard.
- Erb Memorial Union 012, ASUO Women's Center will reopen on September 7
The UO Women’s Center (EMU 012) will reopen for Fall Term 2021 on Tuesday, September 7. The Women's Center Lactation Room operates on a first-come, first-serve basis with no sign-in sheet when the WC is open. If you have further questions about this facility please contact the center directly at 541-346-4095 or email womenctr@uoregon.edu. - Knight Law School, Room 231B
The room is located on the 2nd floor of the Law School in the law library. Room has outlets and refrigeration available.
- Lewis Integrative Science Building (LISB), Room 311.
The room is located on the 3rd floor on the east side of the building. Room has outlets and refrigeration available.
- McKenzie Hall, Room 364
The room is located on the 3rd floor in the interior hallway. Room has outlets and refrigeration available.
- Oregon Hall, Room 391
Room has outlets and refrigeration is available.
- Physical Education and Recreation Center, Ground Floor
The room is located on the ground floor in the first hallway on the right. Room has outlets and refrigeration available.
- Prince Lucien Campbell Hall (PLC), Room 30
The room is located on the ground floor of PLC. Room has outlets and refrigeration available. - Tykeson Hall, Room 320
The room is located on the third floor. Room has outlets and refrigeration available. - University Health Services Bldg., Room D224
The room is located on the second floor. Room has outlets and refrigeration available.
Request a Sign
Using the international symbol for breastfeeding is one way for nursing mothers on campus to communicate to those around them the need for privacy while nursing or expressing milk.
Contact Jen Mirabile to request a free sign.
Other Lactation Room Options
If the designated campus lactation rooms do not meet your needs, please talk to your supervisor. There may be an appropriate space within your unit or work area that could be made available for your use.
If you or your supervisor have questions, contact Jen Mirabile, Sr. HR Programs Coordinator at 541-346-2195 or mirabile@uoregon.edu.
Personal Refrigerator Loan Program
The university has a limited supply of refrigerators available to loan nursing mothers -students, faculty and staff. These apartment-sized personal refrigerators are for use in their campus offices and workspaces to store expressed milk. The loan period is generally 3 to 12 months and may be longer depending on the employee's needs.
To find out more information or reserve a refrigerator, contact Jen Mirabile, Sr. HR Programs Coordinator at 541-346-2195 or mirabile@uoregon.edu.
Breastfeeding Resources
La Leche League of Oregon offers support, encouragement and information to mothers breastfeeding their babies.
State Law provides women protections related to breastfeeding. Oregon State Law, ORS 109.001 (2017) allows a woman to breastfeed in public. House Bill 2593 , expands and amends ORS 653.077, Oregon's current lactation in the workplace law. HB 2593 requires all employers, regardless of size, to provide nursing mothers with "a reasonable rest period to express milk each time the employee has a need to express milk." This language allows nursing mothers to take unpaid lactation breaks when needed. While these rest breaks are unpaid, there is an exception if a nonexempt employee takes their lactation break during a paid rest period.
- Guidance regarding unpaid rest periods for the expression of milk can be found on the Bureau of Labor and Industries website. If you have additional questions please contact Jen Mirabile, Sr. Programs Coordinator at mirabile@uoregon.edu or 541-346-2195.
The Mom's Roomby Medela offers access to breastfeeding tips, education, resources and a community of other breastfeeding Moms. It's really important to identify your support network. Take a look at the 4th Trimester Project for ideas about what may be important to you during this time.
Two helpful book recommendations for employees returning to work and breastfeeding areThe Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody and Work. Pump. Repeat. by Jessica Shortall.
For further information about breastfeeding, visit the Oregon Health Authority website.