A new resource for new mothers
A new “lactation pod” provides new moms a private space for pumping or breastfeeding at UF health science center
Oct. 26, 2017 — New mothers now have another convenient resource available at our Archer Road hospital/health science center complex: A new modular “lactation pod” for moms on the go provides a private space for pumping or breastfeeding.
“With our large population of faculty, staff, residents and students, as well as patients and visitors, we needed another discreet and welcoming lactation space at the academic health center,” said Dennis Hines, UF Health Medical and Health Administration associate director.
UF Business Affairs purchased the $15,000 mobile unit. It was installed in September in a centrally accessible space near the first-floor outpatient pharmacy, between the UF Health Shands Hospital Atrium and UF College of Dentistry/west entrance.
Mamava, the manufacturer, designed the pods to “reach mamas where they travel, receive health care, work, shop and play.” They are often located in medical facilities, airports and malls, for example. Compact yet comfortable, they offer a locking door that indicates if the unit is vacant or occupied. Each well-lit pod has two molded plastic benches, a shelf, an electrical outlet and a USB port. They can easily be moved when needed.
A new lactation pod offers a first-floor option for nursing mothers, located between the UF Health Shands Hospital Atrium and UF College of Dentistry/Health Science Center west entrance.
The company’s founders are two women who had personal experience with typical challenges faced by other working moms. Their motto is “nursing should be a right, not a privilege.”
As a Baby-Friendly designated hospital system, UF Health shares the desire to support, protect and promote breastfeeding. Lactation resources available to staff, outpatients and visitors at our Archer Road hospitals now include:
-
UF Health Shands Hospital First Floor (near Outpatient Pharmacy and Outpatient Lab)
-
UF Health Shands Hospital Seventh Floor Room 7502 (five pumping stations)
-
UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital Sixth Floor Room 6012 (two pumping stations)
-
UF Health Heart & Vascular and UF Health Neuromedicine hospitals (opening Dec. 10) Fourth Floor Rooms 4537 and 4539 (one individual pumping station in each room)
-
(Note: Inpatient needs are accommodated on patient units)
Brad Pollitt, UF Health Facilities vice president, suggested, “In addition to using our designated lactation rooms, working moms can ask their supervisors to help identify a local space that’s appropriate, comfortable and may be more convenient. Our Facilities team has made a conference room available for this purpose, and managers often designate an office or other room for a colleague.”
Hines added, “Thanks to UF Business Affairs, we can test the new pod and if it’s successful, we hope to invest in more units for faculty, students, staff and others. We hope everyone will share this information and support working mothers on campus.”
