Saturday, July 30, 2005

Lounge offers private spot to breastfeed

CHAPEL HILL -- The lounge at the Carolina Women's Center on Franklin Street is different than the dozens of other lounges spread across the campus.

At this small and comfy space on the second floor, new mothers can breastfeed their babies or pump milk in total privacy.

The "Mothers' Room" is the second breastfeeding space on campus for university-affiliated mothers. The first one opened in 2002 at the School of Public Health, the effort spearheaded by students, staff, faculty and even school alumni supporters.

Women's center officials said they created the new lounge to create an accommodating environment for women on campus and to alleviate some of the stress that accompanies juggling work and school with being a mom.

"The room was opened because we recognize that it is not always easy for lactating women to find clean, comfortable space to pump or breastfeed," said Chimi Boyd, assistant director of the center.

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1 comment:

Ali said...

file this under 'just thinking out loud here...'

While I love the fact that they are making accomodations for nursing mothers, I also find it a little sad that these mothers need a 'private place.' Where Ms. Boyd says, "Ideally, every building on campus would have a space designated for private lactation," the little voice in my head says, "Ideally, our campus would be breastfeeding-friendly, and every woman here would feel comfortable nursing wherever she is."

Yes, I know, the pumping is an issue, and I agree that it's great to have these lactation rooms for that purpose. I just hope no mother feels like she has to actualyl *breastfeed* in a private, secluded and removed space.