Lactation station for nursing moms offers privacy while on campus

Brunswick, GA – Since Fall 2015, The College of Coastal Georgia has designated a lactation station in an exam room of the Student Health Center for nursing moms needing to breastfeed and/or express breast milk in a private and comfortable space while on campus. The room is currently equipped with a Southeast Georgia Health System-donated Lactina Select hospital grade pump system with conversion parts, a chair and reading materials.

Dr. Carla Bluhm, a psychology professor at the College, assigned her Infant and Child Development course to conduct a literature review on how breastfeeding can be enhanced by something like an established lactation station. Students found that certain music, scents, textures, and even journaling support the success of breastfeeding mothers. The lactation station is currently undergoing modifications to support these research findings which includes purchasing artwork, music, educational information, a magazine rack, and a cellphone charging station.

Additionally, baccalaureate nursing students Autumn Lotz and Tiffany Nichter collaborated to collect data regarding recruitment opportunities that could arise from the lactation station. A non-experimental, voluntary, web-based survey was delivered within a women’s forum. Results indicated that a lactation station would encourage many moms to attend school while balancing the demands of breastfeeding. One participant spoke to the overarching goal of the private space by stating, “Giving mothers access to what they need in order to attend college paves the way for the next generation of learners.”

“My sister-in-law ended up leaving school because they made it impossible for her to pump. I plan on going back to school this year and would not go if I could not pump for my baby,” said another participant.

The room is available for CCGA students, faculty and staff, and mothers are responsible for pumping and storage of equipment. The Student Health Center is located on the second floor of the Campus Center. For more information, contact Thearon Filson at tfilson@ccga.edu or 912-279-5804.