June 25, 2021

MCHD expands services with additional breastfeeding room

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) has opened its third lactation room for nursing mothers.

The newest site is at the Eight Mile Health Center, which is located at 4009 Saint Stephens Road. The room is near the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program offices.

Section 4207 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires that employers “provide a reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express milk.” Moreover, employers must “provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public” for nursing employees.

“WIC is excited to show off our third Breastfeeding Room at the Eight Mile Health Center,” said Meridith Gardner, a lactation consultant at MCHD. “It is available for employees or patients to use to breastfeed or pump. Making sure employees and patients know that we are breastfeeding friendly is so important.”

This room provides privacy for the mothers while presenting a welcoming appearance.

Gardner said, “We tried to make this room a comfortable and soothing place for moms to nurse or pump while at our facility; with art hanging on one wall, a nice glider rocker and ottoman, along with a changing table if needed. We are so glad to bring another breastfeeding room to another clinic site. We hope to have one at all clinics.”

The first lactation room was installed at the Newburn Health Center, while the second was on the second floor of the Keeler Memorial Building near the Pediatrics department and WIC.

Claris Leigh Perkins, MPH, RDN, LDN, who oversees Nutrition Services at MCHD, said, “This is another step for MCHD to take to ensure we are breastfeeding friendly for employees, patients, and WIC participants.”