Converting a nursing room vs. a regular meeting room: what is allowed and what is not?

An empty meeting room seems the quickest solution when a colleague returns from leave and needs to nurse. However, a standard meeting room with glass walls and a door that opens from the outside rarely meets legal requirements. In this article: what a nursing space (also called a nursing room) must include, why simply designating an empty space is not legally sufficient, and how you can renovate an existing space to be compliant.

Is a Nursing Room Mandatory?

Yes, in the Netherlands, this is explicitly laid down in law. Employers are obliged under article 3.48 of the Arboportaal Work Environment Regulation and article 4.8 of the Working Hours Act to provide a hygienic, lockable space from the inside for expressing milk or breastfeeding. In addition, employees are entitled to pumping time during working hours, up to nine months after childbirth, up to a quarter of the working day, with full pay (Working Hours Act, articles 4.5 and 4.8).

In Belgium, the focus in legislation differs slightly: nursing mothers are entitled to paid breastfeeding breaks until nine months after childbirth (one break of 30 minutes for a workday starting from 4 hours, two breaks from 7.5 hours onwards), funded through the health insurance system (ACV). While there is no explicitly separate standard for the space itself as strictly defined as in the Netherlands, general welfare legislation still obliges employers to provide a healthy, safe, and respectful work environment. In practice, this translates to the same type of space as required in the Netherlands.

Why a regular meeting room usually does not suffice

These are the most common challenges when using a regular meeting room as a nursing room:

• No door that can be locked from the inside. Many meeting rooms have doors that can be opened from the outside with a card or key, but cannot be locked from the inside. This does not meet the Arbobesluit requirement.
• Glass walls without privacy film. Transparent walls are designed to promote visibility and collaboration—the opposite of what a nursing room requires.
• No rest bench or armchair. The law requires a bed or rest bench; a simple office chair is insufficient.
• No cooling facilities nearby. Expressed milk must be able to be stored cool; without a refrigerator nearby, this is not practically arranged.
• Poor ventilation or climate control. Meeting rooms are often designed for short-term use with many people, not for individual, longer stays.
• Incorrect location. A room next to a busy thoroughfare or right next to the elevator does not provide sufficient rest and privacy, even if the door is locked.

A car or a disabled toilet is, by the way, not a valid alternative: both explicitly do not meet the legal requirements (Arboportaal).

What is allowed: converting a meeting room into a nursing room

The good news is that an existing space can often be converted well, as long as you consider the following points:

1. Internal locking mechanism. Replace the door lock or add a simple latch system so that the room can be securely locked from the inside.
2. Privacy on the walls. Glass walls equipped with blinds, film, or temporary wall coverings — for example, with an acoustic partition wall if the space also needs soundproofing.
3. Comfortable seating. An armchair or small bench, plus a storage table for the pumping equipment.
4. Refrigerator nearby. This does not need to be inside the room, as long as it is close and easily accessible.
5. Separate entrance or clear scheduling. Since the room is no longer available as a meeting space during use, a reservation system (e.g., via a room booking tool) works well to prevent double bookings.

Unsure if renovating is practically feasible, for example due to the location or the structural condition of the space? Then a standalone, ready-made solution like Cosy S is often quicker and involves less structural work than renovating.

Renovating or buying a standalone nursing room: what suits your situation?

Both routes are legitimate — the choice mainly depends on how much suitable space you already have and how often the need arises. Also read our detailed comparison in the complete guide for office nursing rooms and the exact requirements on nursing room requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is a nursing room (nursing pod) mandatory at work?
In the Netherlands, yes: the Arbobesluit (art. 3.48) and the Arbeidstijdenwet (art. 4.5 and 4.8) require employers to provide a hygienic, lockable space from the inside. In Belgium, the legal focus is on paid breastfeeding breaks; general welfare legislation additionally requires a healthy work environment.

Can I use a meeting room as a nursing room?
Only if it is adapted: an internal lock, privacy for any glass walls, a comfortable seating area, and a refrigerator nearby. An unmodified meeting room with glass walls and a door that can only be locked from the outside does not meet the requirements.

What does it cost to convert a space into a nursing room?
This depends on the condition of the space: a simple adjustment (lock, film, chair) is relatively inexpensive, while a full acoustic and climate control adaptation costs more. A ready-made standalone solution can be a faster alternative if there are doubts about structural feasibility.

Can I also rent a nursing room instead of buying or renovating?
For offices that only temporarily or occasionally need a nursing room, or those who want to try out what works first, a rented or leased solution may be worth considering alongside buying or renovating — ask your supplier about this.

Sources: Arboportaal — Breastfeeding and Pumping (arboportaal.nl); Arbobesluit art. 3.48 and Arbeidstijdenwet art. 4.5/4.8 (via Arboportaal); ACV — Breastfeeding Leave and Breaks (hetacv.be).

Last updated on 24 October 2026 by Stijn Belmans