Indiana

Breastfeeding in Indiana

Breastfeeding in Indiana is supported by a range of laws, programs, and resources designed to ensure that parents can breastfeed their infants safely and comfortably, whether at home or in public.

Legal Protections for Breastfeeding

Right to Breastfeed in Public

Mothers in Indiana have the right to breastfeed in any public or private location they are legally allowed to be. In addition to the federal FLSA’s PUMP Act, which provides workplace lactation accommodation protections for all breastfeeding employees, Indiana laws provide an extra level of support.

Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Mothers

Indiana does not explicitly exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty. However, mothers may request a deferral or exemption based on individual hardship.

Workplace Protections for Breastfeeding

The federal FLSA’s PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act protects all breastfeeding employees, but Indiana state law is even stronger. State law requires employers with more than 25 employees to provide breastfeeding mothers a private space (other than a bathroom) to pump, and paid break time to do it. (The PUMP Act allows exemptions for employers with 50 or fewer employees.) .

Support for Breastfeeding Families
Indiana WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program): Offers lactation counseling, breast pumps, and peer support. Provides educational materials on topics like latching, milk supply, and pumping.

Indiana Breastfeeding Coalition: Provides advocacy, education, and support networks for breastfeeding families.

Lactation Support at Hospitals and Clinics: Many hospitals and healthcare providers in Indiana offer lactation consultants (IBCLCs) for one-on-one assistance, breastfeeding classes before and after birth, and Milk banks, such as the Indiana Mothers' Milk Bank (IMMB), which provides donated breast milk for babies in need.

Community Support & Online Resources
La Leche League of Indiana offers free breastfeeding support groups and guidance.
Indiana 211 connects families to local lactation resources. (Dial 211)

Breastfeeding Hotlines & Support
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1-800-994-9662

Breastfeeding in Rural and Remote Communities
Virtual and Telehealth Lactation Support
Indiana WIC Breastfeeding Support: Offers virtual lactation counseling and peer support.
Telehealth Lactation Services: Some hospitals and private lactation consultants offer virtual visits.

Rural Hospital and Clinic Support
Many Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) have trained staff to support breastfeeding.
Some rural health clinics participate in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to promote breastfeeding-friendly practices.

Breastfeeding Coalitions & Community Groups
Indiana Breastfeeding Coalition partners with rural healthcare providers to expand lactation support.
La Leche League of Indiana offers virtual and in-person meetings, even in rural areas.

Mobile and Local Support Programs
Some counties have mobile lactation consultants who visit new mothers at home.
Local health departments sometimes offer breastfeeding education through home visiting programs like Nurse-Family Partnership.
Breastfeeding in Indiana

Breastfeeding in Indiana is supported by a range of laws, programs, and resources designed to ensure that parents can breastfeed their infants safely and comfortably, whether at home or in public.

Legal Protections for Breastfeeding

Right to Breastfeed in Public

Mothers in Indiana have the right to breastfeed in any public or private location they are legally allowed to be. In addition to the federal FLSA’s PUMP Act, which provides workplace lactation accommodation protections for all breastfeeding employees, Indiana laws provide an extra level of support.

Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Mothers

Indiana does not explicitly exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty. However, mothers may request a deferral or exemption based on individual hardship.

Workplace Protections for Breastfeeding

The federal FLSA’s PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act protects all breastfeeding employees, but Indiana state law is even stronger. State law requires employers with more than 25 employees to provide breastfeeding mothers a private space (other than a bathroom) to pump, and paid break time to do it. (The PUMP Act allows exemptions for employers with 50 or fewer employees.) .

Support for Breastfeeding Families
Indiana WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program): Offers lactation counseling, breast pumps, and peer support. Provides educational materials on topics like latching, milk supply, and pumping.

Indiana Breastfeeding Coalition: Provides advocacy, education, and support networks for breastfeeding families.

Lactation Support at Hospitals and Clinics: Many hospitals and healthcare providers in Indiana offer lactation consultants (IBCLCs) for one-on-one assistance, breastfeeding classes before and after birth, and Milk banks, such as the Indiana Mothers' Milk Bank (IMMB), which provides donated breast milk for babies in need.

Community Support & Online Resources
La Leche League of Indiana offers free breastfeeding support groups and guidance.
Indiana 211 connects families to local lactation resources. (Dial 211)

Breastfeeding Hotlines & Support
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1-800-994-9662

Breastfeeding in Rural and Remote Communities
Virtual and Telehealth Lactation Support
Indiana WIC Breastfeeding Support: Offers virtual lactation counseling and peer support.
Telehealth Lactation Services: Some hospitals and private lactation consultants offer virtual visits.

Rural Hospital and Clinic Support
Many Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) have trained staff to support breastfeeding.
Some rural health clinics participate in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to promote breastfeeding-friendly practices.

Breastfeeding Coalitions & Community Groups
Indiana Breastfeeding Coalition partners with rural healthcare providers to expand lactation support.
La Leche League of Indiana offers virtual and in-person meetings, even in rural areas.

Mobile and Local Support Programs
Some counties have mobile lactation consultants who visit new mothers at home.
Local health departments sometimes offer breastfeeding education through home visiting programs like Nurse-Family Partnership.