Breastfeeding mothers in Knoxville will soon be able to find breastfeeding rooms in public facilities in the city and county.
Three of the City’s public facilities including the Civic Coliseum, the Knoxville Convention Center, and the Public Works Service Center offer breastfeeding rooms right now.
Knox County Health Department Director Martha Buchanan said the rooms helps moms who feel like they can't go out because they breastfeed.
"But to have those available really opens up the world to moms and babies, where some moms would stay home if they didn't have a place to breastfeed," Buchanan said.
According to the city, the City County Building and the Knox County Health Department also have rooms for breastfeeding mothers.
On Friday, the city issued a proclamation in support of World Breastfeeding Week, which lasts from Aug.1 through Aug. 7.
Lindsay Weiss-Hilton is a mom and she witnessed the proclamation ceremony. She said the being around other moms who breastfeed helps break the stigma and encourage women to do the same.
"It's great that you get to be among other people that you feel comfortable with because you can support each other together," Hilton said. "Sometimes you don't always give that support."
The city said this year, it has worked with its partners to open two new breastfeeding rooms at the Coliseum and the Public Works Service Center, 3131 Morris Avenue.
Each project includes a six-tier single unit box locker, arm chair, table, lamp, refrigerator, coolers packs, microwave and other miscellaneous breastfeeding supplies.
"Breastfeeding is a public health priority, laying the foundation for a healthy life for our children, even reducing a child’s risk for obesity later in life,” said Buchanan. “While rates are increasing, Tennessee is still not close to the national average. Providing more supportive environments for mothers to breastfeed is an excellent way to support women in making this healthy choice.”
Both the Coliseum and the Public Works Service Center locations were funded through KCHD’s Project Diabetes grant which totals about $2,000.
"I think it's wonderful, I think it means they are being more supportive and that they are understanding of the benefits," Hilton said.
"In 2016, the Knox County Health Department obtained a highly-competitive Project Diabetes grant from the Tennessee Department of Health. One component of the grant was to create supportive environments for breastfeeding mothers in public and private worksites. Some of the grant funds were used to make improvements to an existing breastfeeding room in the City County Building, located in room 313A. These improvements were facilitated and supported by PBA and the Knox County Employee Benefits Department," the city said in a release.
As budgets and grant funds permit, the city and county said they plan to add to more breastfeeding rooms to government buildings.
Khrysta Baig, a registered dietitian and the Benefits Director for Knox County Government said, “The many health benefits of breastfeeding for both moms and babies result in lower health insurance costs and reduced absences when a mother returns to work. Breastfeeding doesn’t just make good health sense – it makes good dollars and cents.”
Buchanan says an increase in breastfeeding means an increase in health benefits for babies in East Tennessee.
"It really would benefit the health of the moms and families and babies in east Tennessee and our goal would be 100 percent breastfeeding," Buchanan said.
In the end, Hilton says she hopes more women learn the benefits of breastfeeding and get they support they need to do it anywhere.
"Definitely continue to normalize it, that any woman can breastfeed anywhere without repercussions or fear of being shamed or made to feel uncomfortable." Hilton said.