Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers by Transforming Library Space: A Nursing Mothers Room Project

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Library Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Breastfeeding support is crucial for students and employees in higher education settings.
• Lack of dedicated private spaces can hinder breastfeeding and lactation practices.
• Academic institutions are increasingly recognizing the need for lactation facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the process of establishing a nursing mothers room within a medical library.
• To highlight a successful collaboration between library staff and campus stakeholders.
• To provide a model for similar initiatives in academic health science centers.

Main Methods:

• Identifying an underutilized library office space.
• Collaborating with university departments and facilities management.
• Designing and equipping the space to meet the needs of breastfeeding individuals.

Main Results:

• Successfully transformed an unused office into a functional and attractive nursing mothers room.
• Provided a dedicated, private space for breastfeeding students and employees to pump breast milk.
• Enhanced support services offered by the Rowland Medical Library.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative efforts can effectively create essential facilities for breastfeeding mothers in academic environments.
• The establishment of this nursing mothers room demonstrates a commitment to supporting the well-being of students and employees.
• This project serves as a replicable model for other institutions seeking to improve lactation support.