North Carolina

Mothers in North Carolina have the right to breastfeed in any public location, as long as they are legally allowed to be there. The federal FLSA’s PUMP Act provides workplace lactation accommodation protections for all breastfeeding employees, but North Carolina has no additional state-level lactation laws.

We’ve awarded North Carolina one drop on our scale.

NC Breastfeeding Laws: In Public

Mothers in North Carolina have the right to breastfeed in public. Read the law: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-190.9 (1993)

NC Breastfeeding Laws: At Work

All breastfeeding employees are protected by the federal FLSA’s PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act and entitled to reasonable break time and a private space (other than a bathroom) to pump at work for one year. North Carolina does not have any state-level workplace lactation accommodation laws.

NC Breastfeeding Information + Resources

In North Carolina, breastfeeding mothers are exempt from indecent exposure laws.

North Carolina offers a free resource toolkit to help breastfeeding mothers return to work.

The North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition’s mission is “[t]o facilitate collaborative community work through education and advocacy that creates an environment of genuine breastfeeding support for all families.” Visit here.

Visit the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee for a full list of state breastfeeding coalitions.

Breastfeeding Law Rating Key

One drop: There is no state-level workplace lactation legislation beyond the PUMP Act.

Two drops: State law exceeds the PUMP Act in one of the following ways: 1) Lower threshold for employer exemption; 2) Workplace protections beyond one year; 3) Requirements for lactation spaces (e.g. electrical outlets); 4) Protections for specific populations other than employees (e.g. students).

Three drops: State law exceeds the PUMP Act in at least two of the following ways: 1) Lower threshold for employer exemption; 2) workplace protections beyond one year; 3) requirements for lactation spaces (e.g. electrical outlets); 4) protections for specific populations other than employees (e.g. students).

Disclaimer: Please consult a professional for legal advice. Our information on breastfeeding laws is not a substitute for legal counsel.