Lactation room geared toward new mothers

UNH has recently enacted a new lactation policy in conjunction with the Family-Friendly Initiative and has created a functioning lactation room, which enables more flexibility for any woman working at the university who chooses to breastfeed, while still maintaining productivity in the workplace.

Lactation, the production breast-milk to feed infants, is a subject most would rather avoid. For some women in the workplace, lactation can become a major cause of stress or concern when they return to a full-time position.

"With this new policy, hopefully people will be less embarrassed to talk about lactation," said Judy Quist, assistant loan manager of the Dimond Library.  "It's an important issue and it's good to let women know that they have options in the workplace."

According to Quist, breastfeeding is known to have multiple benefits for children such as reducing allergies, decreasing the risk of developing cancers or obesity, creating a stronger immune system through its nutrient-density. For mothers, there is a reduced risk of breast.

The policy, which originated from UNH President's Commission on the Status of Women, includes raising awareness for supervisors and managers to support employees who intend to breastfeed, supervisors and managers working together with the employee to develop a flexible work schedule that is mutually convenient for the employee and the work unit, and working with the employee to identify a suitable, private location to nurse or express milk.  This location could be the campus lactation room(s), an employee's own office space or a lockable conference room.

Some examples of reasonable accommodation requests for employees may include options such as the use of break times to use a breast pump at work, flexible start and finish times, or allowing lunch and/or other breaks to coincide with lactation/breastfeeding needs.  For time above and beyond standard lunch and breaks, PAT sick/annual leave or earned time/sick pool for OS must be used, or consideration for the employee to come in earlier, leave later, or take a shorter lunch.

Pamela Lehman, loan manager at the Dimond Library, joined the Women's Commission in the fall of 2004. She decided to initiate the lactation discussion then and make the initiative her personal project after she returned from maternity leave to find that there was not a policy or discussion in place for women like herself.

"UNH has been fantastic in regards to this whole process," said Lehman.  "We wanted to enact a policy that would ensure, that women in any department would be informed, and given flexibility and appropriate space."

Lehman also discussed the importance of the innovative actions that UNH has taken when it comes to lactation.

"UNH has been pretty progressive regarding this issue," said Lehman.  "There are not many institutions of employment or universities with a policy on lactation.  And it's not just an issue for universities rather, it is important for all employers to take this into consideration."

The room, which includes a refrigerator, a radio, a glider chair and ottoman, and a Medela breast pump, was created in 2005.  The walls, which cost approximately $4-6,000, were constructed to enclose a small alcove on the first floor of the library that has remained the official room.  There are have been 15 users of the room so far, including seven staff members, four grad students, one undergrad, one DCE student, one conference attendee, and one contract worker. 

Most women use the room two to three times a day, five days per week in order to maintain an effective personal breast milk production schedule.  If pumping is not regulated, a woman's supply will shut down.  Before this room was created, some women would resort to trying to find a private space, mostly likely a restroom to keep their schedule. However, this search decreased the chance for sanitation, as well as created an awkward situation for the mother in having the pressure of others needing the space and not understanding that lactation requires a relaxed atmosphere.

"It takes about 12 to 16 weeks to establish a routine," said Quist. 

"It truly is a commitment," added Lehman.

The Dimond Library provides a central location on campus that is easily accessible because of the Library's extensive hours of operation. 

"UNH needs to identify other prime locations for lactation rooms to serve the needs of the campus," said Donna Marie Sorrentino, director of the affirmative action and equity office here at UNH.  "To that end, I will seek support from the Office of Energy and Campus Development to assist in identifying such possible space. Once identified, further collaboration among campus units and colleges will be called upon. The Women's Commission will keep the community advised as new developments occur on this initiative."

"As an ex-officio member of the commission, I assist by offering advice and guidance with the revising and establishing of old and new policies, practices and protocols to enhance the university's campus climate, particularly as they pertain to equity, accessibility, family friendly initiatives and inclusive excellence (diversity)," said Sorrentino. "In this role, I have worked with members of the WC (such as Pam Lehman) along with Professor Claudia Morner, Dimond Library Academic Outreach Librarian to secure an accessible space for the design of a lactation room in Dimond Library."

Sorrentino further assisted in the writing of the final draft of the policy, along with Pam Lehman and Sharon Demers, Asst. VP for Human Resources.  Lehman and Sorrentino then vetted the policy through the necessary parties/entities, (such as, but not limited to the Operating, PAT and Extension Educator's Councils), giving them the opportunity to review, comment and confirm their endorsement.