Lactation Program

                                         ....for working mothers at GSFC

Purpose

To provide Goddard's nursing mothers with private, sanitary, onsite space to express their breast milk without unduly extending their workdays or adding stress to their already busy lives.


Background

Breast-feeding has been demonstrated to benefit the health of babies and mothers. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend that mothers nurse their newborns for at least one year.


Onsite Lactation Rooms

Onsite Lactation Rooms are open in Buildings 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 17, 18, 23, 33 and 97 (the Health Unit) on the Greenbelt campus and in Building F-106 (Health Unit) at Wallops.

Each room is administered by a SuperMom, an employee in the building who has been trained by the Health Unit in use of the pump and the industrial hygiene requirements.

These rooms are equipped with Medela Classic hospital grade breast pumps. Use of the breast pumps is free; however, users will need to purchase their own personal kits. For most women use of these pumps is faster (up to 75%) than use of personal pumps. Of course mothers are welcome to use their personal pumps, if they prefer.

As needs are identified and space becomes available additional Lactation Rooms will be added. For nursing mothers not located near a currently open lactation room, please contact the program coordinator, your supervisor, and/or your building FOM for help in identifying private space for your use.


Eligibility

All nursing mothers onsite are welcome to participate in the Workplace Lactation Program.


Requirements

Nursing mothers are required to participate in a Lactation Program orientation session with one of the SuperMoms at an onsite location. Participation also requires a signed agreement, which attests to familiarity with the Lactation Program Policy, a commitment to adherence to program ground-rules for use of the rooms and the pumps, and agreement of usage.


Onsite Room Scheduling

The SuperMom assigned to each location is responsible for scheduling that room. Please call the SuperMom assigned to the room nearest you for availability and access information.


Workplace Lactation Program Contacts

Location of Lactation Rooms (GSFC Employees Only)

For information on the Workplace Lactation Program, you can contact the Program Coordinator, Esther Johnson at 301-286-0023.

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