Q: I gave birth to a beautiful little boy six weeks ago. In another five weeks I have to go back to the office and leave my baby with a caregiver. I’m very concerned about how I am going to be able to provide my little guy with breast milk. I’ve always read that breast milk is best and — after hearing about all the formula shortages last summer — I’m determined to keep him away from formula. My mom said she had to sneak into the bathroom to pump, back in the day. I’ll do that if I have to, but haven’t things improved some?

A: Until just over a decade ago, nursing moms who wanted to pump during working hours had to hope for an understanding employer. Then, in 2010, Congress passed the “Break Time for Nursing Mothers” law, amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. The new law required covered employers to give moms “reasonable break time” to express milk for one year after a child’s birth and provide a place — other than a bathroom — “that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public.” The law, however, had two big exceptions: It only applied to hourly “non-exempt” workers, not workers who receive a salary or commission, and the list of “covered” employers excluded businesses with fewer than 50 employees (although they had to show that complying with the law would impose an “undue hardship).

In late December 2022, Congress passed the Providing Urgent Material Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act) to remedy some of the omissions of the...

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