Several populations in the higher education environment, such as graduate students, faculty, staff, visitors and some undergrad students, may need access to breastfeeding spaces. Despite strong evidence for the health benefits of breastfeeding, many mothers cannot continue breastfeeding their infants upon their return to work or school. Students are especially affected by this transition because they do not have legal protection that requires designated lactation space or time to express milk to be provided by places of education. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing moms breastfeed for a year if possible. However, for many working mothers, maternity leave ends before their babies are weaned, making it difficult to keep up milk production. Lactation rooms provide a secure place for these employees to pump milk while at work.
How is Auburn University providing access to appropriate lactation spaces so new mothers can participate fully in work and study? To open an Auburn University lactation space in Haley Center, courtesy of Tiger Babies®, was the mission of Dr. Ann Lambert, associate clinical professor and Laurie Harris (previous assistant clinical professor at AUSON). With help from AU Executive Director of Operations, Dan Whatley, and the Dean of Nursing, Gregg Newschwander, she was able to procure the space for the School of Nursing for nursing moms on campus. Lambert also received an Alabama Nurses Foundation Community Grant from the Alabama State Nurses Association. “These grants must be utilized to address current health needs or issues in Alabama, so we were able to apply the funds to this space,” she added. Other original Tiger Babies® team members include Dr. Chih-husan Wang, associate professor in the College of Education, who analyzed survey information from breastfeeding mothers as part of the team’s data collection process. Shu-wen Tzeng, associate professor in the School of Industrial and Graphic Design developed the logo for the Tiger Babies® Tent, Pods, and it is utilized for all Tiger Babies-related media and advertising.
“We chose Haley Center because approximately 10,000 students, faculty and staff pass through here daily. There are over 500 faculty and staff members who work in the building, and we had received several requests from them to provide a space in Haley where they are currently working or attending classes. Since it is also close to the stadium, it can be utilized during game days. In addition to this space, there are 15 other lactation spaces on campus,” Lambert added.
(Auburn University has more information on lactation sites at: www.auburn.edu/administration/human_resources/employee_relations/lactation-spaces)
“One of my biggest fears about coming back to school on campus was how I would continue nursing,” said Madison Parker, a new mom and student. “The thought of trying to coordinate that on campus seemed impossible and overwhelming. This nursing room is an incredible resource that will definitely assist student moms in their journey towards graduation.”
“When I first had my daughter, my biggest concern was finding time and space to pump in between classes,” said another new mom and student, Veronica Cherry. “I spent many times pumping in the stalls of bathrooms or in my car. It was inconvenient and discouraging to say the least. With this addition of a nursing room in Haley, I believe many student moms, as well as professors, will be able to continue their breastfeeding journey in a comfortable and empowering way.”
Emma Walton, an undergraduate nursing student, decorated the Haley Center space with funds raised from the sale of t-shirts. The room has a comfortable chair and side table, hooks for book bags, artwork and décor to provide a comfortable, and relaxed atmosphere. A sign-in sheet for visitors is provided to assist with monitoring the room’s usage. “You can see and feel the room was decorated with love,” said Michelle Schultz, an Auburn resident and director of Baby Steps.
Federal law protects the right of employees to have a private space to pump and reasonable breaks to accommodate the time necessary to pump. The Fair Labor Standards Act says that employers must provide a private space that is not a bathroom for a new mother to use for pumping breast milk. The space should be comfortable, private, free from intrusion by other employees or the public, accomplished with a locking door and covered windows. If a dedicated room cannot be set aside, the same function can be achieved with a tall privacy screen or other private but temporary space.
Having a secure, private location helps nursing mothers relax enough for a pumping session and helps them complete the session faster, too. It gives them a place to carry out this biologically important task while on the job and space to accommodate the necessary supplies. Supporting nursing mothers affects the health of both the mom and her baby. Nursing moms experience lower rates of postpartum depression and reduced risk of cancer. Breastfed babies experience lower risk of infection in the short term and lower risk of diabetes, obesity, and asthma in the long-term. The new lactation space in Haley Center is just another way of showing the Auburn Family cares.
