August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the benefits of human milk while also working to protect, promote, and support lactation practices and policies. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and reduce inequalities among lactating people.
The 2024 theme for National Breastfeeding Month is Nourish, Sustain, Thrive. (Note: Johns Hopkins strives to use inclusive language and prefers "chest-feeding" and "lactation" to "breastfeeding.") In August, each week will highlight and celebrate a different group, shining a light on the importance of lactation and promoting support for all. Two additional events take place in September.
- World Breastfeeding Week—Closing the Gap: Aug. 1-7
- Indigenous Milk Medicine Week: Aug. 8-14
- Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week: Aug. 15-21
- Black Breastfeeding Week: Aug. 25-31
- Workplace Lactation Week: Sept. 1-7
- Semana de La Lactancia Latina: Sept. 5-11
Lactation support at Johns Hopkins
The Johns Hopkins Lactation Support Program recognizes, honors, and supports those returning to work or study while expressing milk. Dedicated lactation rooms, located throughout Hopkins campuses and buildings, offer private spaces with hospital-grade pumps, sinks, and refrigerators to create a supportive environment for pumping. Four vending machines that sell accessory kits and other pump-related items are located on the Bayview, East Baltimore, and Homewood campuses. To learn about each lactation room's features and to gain access, register on the website.
Hopkins' Lactation Accommodations Policy upholds employees' legal right and necessity to express milk in the workplace and ensures reasonable break times and private spaces for expressing milk. To maintain compliance with the policy, JH affiliates who need to take lactation breaks during work or study hours are required to complete the Lactation Accommodations Request Form.
Additional resources and information can be found on the Lactation Support Program website.
Contact worklife@jhu.edu with any questions.
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