Providing Support for Lactating Women at ECU

Abstract

Returning to work after birth is challenging for many new mothers. East Carolina University has taken great strides in supporting nursing mothers’ transition from maternity leave back to work or school. As outlined in the Lactation Support Policy, ECU will provide space, privacy, and time for nursing mothers to express breast milk for up to one (1) year after the birth of a child. To date, ECU has nine (9) lactation rooms across two (2) campuses. Each room provides the essentials for a pumping mother: comfortable seating, privacy and convenient electrical outlets. Each room is stocked with donations from Lansinoh which include, packets of two (2) individually wrapped, disposable nursing pads, two (2) milk storage bags, lanolin nipple cream and coupons. We are delighted to have received outstanding awards on our lactation rooms. ECU has been recognized as breastfeeding friendly by both The North Carolina Breastfeeding Collation (NCBC) in Fall 2017 and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in Spring 2018. Our success is a reflection of the support from several different offices and organizations on campus including but not limited to the Chancellor’s Status on the Committee of Women (CCSW), Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) and the Committee on Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Students and Employees, Faculty and Staff Senates and the Nancy Darden Child Development Center (NDCDC). This support has allowed us to break barriers and focus on an environment that is conducive to allowing lactating mothers a private setting to express milk while on campus.