KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee Medical Center has the county's first set of lactation pods through a partnership with the Knox County Health Department.
The health department paid for the two, $19,000 private lactation spaces with a grant in an effort to create more community spaces for mothers to pump breastmilk and breastfeed while either visiting or working at the hospital.
Parents can breastfeed anywhere at UT Medical Center as part of their policy to create a safe space for moms and families.
However, the new lactation pod is an added help to parents because they can access it themselves, through an app. It allows them to take a more independent approach rather than asking for access or getting a key from an employee to get into a specific room.
Michelle Moyers, the Deputy Senior Director at the health department, said it focuses on education. However, she stressed the importance of continuing support of lactation spaces for mothers in the workplace.
"I think one of the challenges that we have from a community standpoint is creating those supportive environments," Moyers said. "We have to create those environments where they can continue to make that choice [to breastfeed], whether they're visiting the medical center or whether they're employed here."
Barbara Murray, a registered nurse and lactation specialist, advocated for the lactation pods. She said she knows the struggles mothers face while trying to breastfeed their babies.
"We say it's the most natural thing. But for many women, it's hard to start breastfeeding, stay breastfeeding," Murray said. "They have issues with pregnancy and childbirth and then they have to go back to work. Here in the United States, we have terrible maternity and paternity leave."
Another UT Medical Center employee and mom, Megan Young, said she wishes something like this existed when she was pumping at work.
"I worked in women's health eight years before I had a child and learned very quickly just how much work goes into providing breast milk for my baby," Young said. "Providing this option, not only supports mothers, but it supports um babies and all the health benefits that come for both baby and mom."
The Knox County Health Department said it believes other spaces, like event venues or parks, could benefit from lactation pods. Right now, there are several resources for breastfeeding mothers, both through the state and county health departments, including a hotline for breastfeeding parents. The Tennessee Breastfeeding Hotline is available at 855-423-6667.