Rice County’s lactation rooms met all legal requirements. They were private, not part of a restroom and provided access to an electrical outlet. But they were bland. Four white walls and no windows didn’t provide a welcoming atmosphere for the moms using them.
A committee that includes county staff and two commissioners recently stepped in, and with guidance and some financial assistance from the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership, amped up the cozy.
Rice County is a breastfeeding friendly workplace, an initiative championed by its Public Health Department.
As such, it promotes breastfeeding, provides information and education about the benefits of breastfeeding – to both moms and their babies – and encourages public entities to provide space for lactating moms to pump in private.
A strategy of the Minnesota Department of Health, SHIP, as it’s commonly known, supports community-driven solutions to expand opportunities for active living, healthy eating, and commercial tobacco-free living through education, partnerships and grants to help fund projects that help prevent chronic diseases before they start.
According to Rice County Public Health Director Deb Purfeerst, “Breastfeeding is great for babies, moms and families!
Supporting lactating mothers contributes to a more engaged, productive workforce and is welcoming and supportive to families who are visiting the Rice County Government Services building. We are pleased to be able to use SHIP funds to help support healthy moms and babies!”
Each of the three rooms – two for staff and one for visitors’ use -- were partially outfitted, making the changes mostly cosmetic. One wall in each room was painted a dark blue-grey, and decorative acoustic panels were added in the two employee rooms to soften the sound. Mirrors and side tables were placed in each of the rooms as were bulletin boards for Public Health staff to post information pertinent to parents.
While a refrigerator was already located just outside the staff rooms, a set of six lockers in which to store a breast pump or other necessities from the now-closed jail annex completed the space.
Purchased for the public space located on the first floor of the Government Services Building in Faribault was a new chair and ottoman, and a pair of child-sized chairs and table for siblings who may be present.
New signage in English, Spanish and Somali is also being added to direct visitors to the appropriate lactation room.
Have a project that SHIP might be interested in helping fund? Contact Rice County Public Health at 507-332-6111.
BEST FOR BABY
• Breast milk has everything a baby needs to grow and be healthy.
• Breast milk is easy to digest, making a baby’s stools soft and easy to pass.
• Breast milk protects babies from ear infections, colds, allergies, diarrhea and constipation. A breastfed baby will be sick less and have fewer doctor visits.
• Breastfeeding helps a baby’s eyes and brain develop.
• Breastfed children are less likely to have diabetes or be overweight or obese in later years.
• Breastfeeding is great for mother-baby bonding.
Source: Minnesota Department of Health
