Here's a site that has places in each airport for mom's to breastfeed and pump: http://airportbreastfeeding.com/
What is wrong with the USA ? Why do moms need to hide in a box to feed a baby! Anywhere else in the entire world you can just go ahead and feed them. Why are we making this a big deal? People need to get a reality check they are just boobs, everyone has seen them before, and chances are were nourished by them as babies.
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This is a good start, but providing places to pump breast milk or breastfeed in a clean, quiet, private space should really be standard. As a working mom who occasionally travels for work, I've had to pump in some awkward places - try keeping your balance while pumping breast milk on an Amtrak train with a floor covered in urine. Fun times.
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Thank you for this! I have no qualms whatsoever about nursing in public--even a squirmy toddler at the moment--but once baby is more aware (after 4 months) and easily distracted, it can be very difficult to nurse out in the open. It's nice to have a clean, quiet spot. And also for pumping moms, too--very helpful.
Could someone *please* install a few of these at Dulles? Worst airport ever for families--there is more accommodation provided for SMOKERS than for mothers!
Could someone *please* install a few of these at Dulles? Worst airport ever for families--there is more accommodation provided for SMOKERS than for mothers!
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People can smoke at Dulles? (cough, cough...)
I am a mom who travels a lot with my kids. I have a 4yr old, 2yr old, and a 2 month old. I don't mind nursing in public, but when I do it is very hard to control my other little ones. And even if I just had my littlest one, a calm quiet place is best. This would be a HUGE lifesaver for me, traveling with kids is so hard, especially when you're trying to be courteous to others and let them get some peace and quiet too.
I am not against nursing in public or covering up or not. I prefer to cover up because I am large breasted and my little one doesn't even come close to concealing all that I have. However you feel comfortable feeding your baby is how you should and others shouldn't judge regardless. I don't think this would deter or shame mothers from nursing in public, but more give them a place to have what they might need or want. As a side not, they do look like they need some improvement from the sterile white hard plastic.
I am not against nursing in public or covering up or not. I prefer to cover up because I am large breasted and my little one doesn't even come close to concealing all that I have. However you feel comfortable feeding your baby is how you should and others shouldn't judge regardless. I don't think this would deter or shame mothers from nursing in public, but more give them a place to have what they might need or want. As a side not, they do look like they need some improvement from the sterile white hard plastic.
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I think this is a fabulous idea! I don't think there's anywhere left in the US where people openly believe moms shouldn't nurse in public, but if you don't have a baby attached, you might as well be a stripper on a pole for the looks you get. Beyond modesty, though, airports are incredibly loud, busy, and cramped places. For the babies who don't get distracted and the moms who have no trouble with their flow letting down in these conditions, more power to them, but for those of us without these superpowers, it's a welcome respite.
I think this is a great resource. When a mother is pumping (a likely scenario for working women traveling without their babies), this is a lifesaver. Even nursing the baby directly, it's a great help. I nursed in public when I had to, but I was only comfortable doing that if I covered the baby and myself... and that could be hot for the baby and extra fiddly for me. I preferred a quiet, private place like this if I could find one.
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Great form mothers that need to pump, but we should support and encourage public breastfeeding. I am now breastfeeding my second child, any comfortable chair makes do, and I do not use a cover. Breastfeeding is a natural stage in a human's development, the mother shouldn't be in hiding, breasts are meant to feed babies.
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All this fuss about breastfeeding "shaming" is silly. I'm sure people have (and will continue) to breastfeed wherever they like. The problem is when you need to use a breast pump and there's no clean, dry place to use one. This booth solves that problem.
On the other hand, as an economy class traveller, I'd often love a private little booth to wall myself off from the indignities of public waiting rooms... Why not this?
On the other hand, as an economy class traveller, I'd often love a private little booth to wall myself off from the indignities of public waiting rooms... Why not this?
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Does Mamava maintain/clean the pods?
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I guess these pods are a good idea as long as their use is voluntary and they are not conceived as a way to hide breastfeeding mothers. I'm sure mothers will have a more informed opinion on this.
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I just cannot resist. Forgive me. But does it take pictures? :o)
In NY State breastfeeding is legal any place. Any place where the mother is legally allowed to be. Pods are only need for the moms that get easily embarrassed. But they shouldn't be.
My first thoughts when seeing these is how do you keep people from using them for some quick sex?
My first thoughts when seeing these is how do you keep people from using them for some quick sex?
The need is for mothers who are using a pump. That's not something easy to do in public view, and if the mother uses an electric pump she may need an outlet. Since women may be traveling for work without their babies, this is a great resource.
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I have absolutely no problem breastfeeding in public. Most moms don't some like to cover up. But the huge issue is if you need to pump you have to pretty much have your whole chest out and hopefully find a place for all your stuff with an electrical outlet
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I would sit there and nurse the baby.There really isn't much to be 'seen', if you do it right.On the plane, ferryboat, anywhere.
What's with all this pumping? I can understand it in certain situations, but is there that much?
What's with all this pumping? I can understand it in certain situations, but is there that much?
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For mama's traveling for business w/out their little one, I can totally see it. For me personally, I need to pump regularly to maintain my supply. On a recent trip with my LO, I just had to skip pumping for a day. This would have been nice to have.
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Yes. These are in airports, places women traveling for business, without their babies frequent. When you travel for business without your baby you pump, in the airport.
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if you are a working and traveling mother you do pump a lot. For me I pumped between each feeding regularly so I would have a supply at night so my husband could help get up with the baby. Or some extra if I needed to go out. You must pumped at the same time or you may lose that time to pump you may lose some of your supply. also with my second child she had a tongue tie and I would pump and then bottle feed her as she could not latch
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I breast fed both children for about a year each. I always used a shawl in public--and still think that is the right thing to do--but finding a place to sit comfortably or to pump while out shopping was a real challenge. These little pods sound great, especially for pumping.
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Breastfeeding is one thing, pumping another.
Too bad the pods (unintentionally) reinforce the idea that breastfeeding should be hidden from view, but they do appear to be an ideal solution for pumping.
Too bad the pods (unintentionally) reinforce the idea that breastfeeding should be hidden from view, but they do appear to be an ideal solution for pumping.
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A mother started breastfeeding a very hungry babe openly on the Cape May ferry the other day. People of all backgrounds were sitting nearby. No comments or strange looks from anyone at the time. In fact all were pleased at the sudden quiet (for a ferry boat). During a discussion with another passenger later the mother shared that she was a recent immigrant and not aware of the strange U.S. taboo on such normal human behavior. She found it strange that anyone might object to witnessing "humans in public."
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I first saw these on the campus of Champlain College (while traveling for work in Burlington, VT). I was so impressed with these pods that I took photos to share with friends and other moms back at home. I'm pro-breastfeeding in public, of course, but I would jump at the chance to use the pods...the space was quiet, clean, and offered a wonderfully private place for either nursing or pumping on the go.
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For me, this is an incredible option for PUMPING! In airports I have to pump in the bathroom which just isn't sanitary and it's humiliating. BRAVO. Any tool that is available to breastfeeding mothers should be supported.
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So...shut them up in a tiny space where nobody can see them? I don't understand why people think that breastfeeding is such a taboo. Just feed your kids wherever you want and people will deal with it.
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Mamava was conceived from a place of empathy by nursing mothers who had to hit the road with our breast pumps ... Moms in America have been pumping in bathrooms. As it takes hold as an amenity for pumping and nursing we think of it as a billboard communicating that there are many, many breastfeeding moms who could use all the help they can get, actually bringing the discussion into the open (not hiding it in a bathroom stall or under a blanket). The pods themselves are spacious, airy, clean, and comfortable.
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I agree that this might reinforce the stigma around breastfeeding but I think it could be useful for pumping mothers. The pump set-up can be pretty awkward
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No one said you have to close the door. And if you have another child with you, plus luggage, being in designated space is actually easier.
Also breastfeeding is not taboo, and can be done in public without flashing my breasts. Mothers get so used to un-robing at home that they forget other people are not used to seeing the bare breasts of strangers. A simple shawl does the trick. Everyone knows what you're doing, but not everyone wants or needs to see it. It's called being a member of a civilized society.
Also breastfeeding is not taboo, and can be done in public without flashing my breasts. Mothers get so used to un-robing at home that they forget other people are not used to seeing the bare breasts of strangers. A simple shawl does the trick. Everyone knows what you're doing, but not everyone wants or needs to see it. It's called being a member of a civilized society.
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Kids VT, a Vermont-based parenting publication, recently wrote a story about Mamava, the Burlington-based company that makes these lactation pods. From the Facebook comments in reaction to this NYT article, it seems like people are getting the wrong idea about these pods. As Mamava's director of sales, Janet Stambolian, says in our piece, the pods aren't about "ghettoizing women behind closed doors" but rather "creating access and options to continue breastfeeding." CFO Janice Shade adds, "It's really about empowering women to get back to work." The idea for the pods was hatched by two working moms who, after having to pump breast milk in restrooms while traveling for work, came to the conclusion that there had to be a better way. These women, Sascha Mayer and Christine Dodson, are strong advocates for women. They want to make it easier for women to provide breast milk to their babies, if they choose to do so.
Here's a link to our story about the history of the company:
http://www.kidsvt.com/vermont/burlington-based-mamava-aims-to-make-breas...
-Alison Novak
managing editor, Kids VT
Here's a link to our story about the history of the company:
http://www.kidsvt.com/vermont/burlington-based-mamava-aims-to-make-breas...
-Alison Novak
managing editor, Kids VT
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Breastfeeding is not a cause to be embarrassed. A stupid idea, babies need to be relax and that is the worst plafe to be.
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I love this idea. I bf in public all day long, but jfk is a different beast ...for my son. We fly through jfk 2x /month and he is always too distracted to nurse. He'd rather watch the hustle and bustle. I will definitely be using this!
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