You don’t have your meals in a public restroom. Why should your baby? Despite the U.S. passing several laws protecting the rights of childbearing women, several restaurants, stores, and small businesses do not have dedicated spots for childbearing women to pump or breastfeed. Rabbit Ridge Farm, a family-owned business in Bee Branch, Arkansas, recognized a need for their childbearing customers to have a private nook exclusively for this purpose. While building and raising awareness for the nook has been hard, it has sent important messages to the business’s clientele: you are welcome, you are safe, and you are important.
The breastfeeding nook was created through a unique interaction.
“You know you don’t have to breastfeed in here. There are laws in Arkansas that protect women who need to breastfeed in public.” AFMC’s Tina Hedrick, an outreach specialist and registered nurse, informed a young woman dining at Rabbit Ridge Farms, who was breastfeeding her baby in the bathroom.
“I know,” was the reply, “but I don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable or offended.”
The power of that statement hit Tina hard. The woman herself was not uncomfortable or embarrassed. She worried about how others felt about caring for her baby’s needs. As soon as she could, Tina reached out to Angela Mahan, co-owner of Rabbit Ridge Farms, and informed her of the situation.
Tina sparked an idea to create a breastfeeding nook where women like the one Tina met could pump, breastfeed, or care for their baby in a private, secure place.
“When Tina approached me about the nook, of course, I was all in,” Angela says. “It made perfect sense to create a breastfeeding nook in our restaurant to further our commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and family-friendly environment for all our guests.”
It's about making customers feel welcomed, not uncomfortable.
The nook allowed customers with small children to feel welcome and accepted. “We recognize that dining out with small children can sometimes be challenging, and we wanted to ensure that all members of the family, especially new mothers, feel supported and comfortable in our space,” Angela says.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or older. Despite these recommendations, less than 50% of infants are breastfed at six months in Arkansas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC also states that 60% of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intend to due to a variety of external factors, such as unsupportive work policies and lack of parental leave, unsupportive hospital practices and policies, and concerns about infant nutrition and weight. Several myths about breastfeeding that circulate online and throughout the community also contribute to increased pressure upon new mothers.
Women have the right to breastfeed their babies wherever and whenever their baby is hungry. Federal laws protect breastfeeding mothers. Yet, some local businesses, especially those in rural areas, don’t have dedicated spaces for mothers to breastfeed safely and comfortably.
Businesses like Rabbit Ridge that set the example of comfort, support, and safety for all their customers are paving the way for others to do the same. “Rabbit Ridge Farms is not just about serving fresh, locally sourced meals,” Angela says. “It’s about nurturing a community and creating a space where everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, can enjoy a meal in a relaxed and supporting atmosphere. The breastfeeding nook is a natural extension of this philosophy.”
“The nook offers privacy and comfort for nursing mothers, ensuring they can enjoy their meal and spend time with their family without feeling the need to retreat to a less welcoming or isolated space,” Angela adds.
“Just as we are mindful about the origins of our ingredients and the impact of our culinary practices at Rabbit Ridge Farms, we are equally mindful about our guests’ experiences. The breastfeeding nook is our way of saying that we understand the needs of young families and are here to support them in every way we can.”
Even a small modification makes a big difference.
When it comes to adding a lactation space within your businesses, it all comes down to comfort and accessibility. Unused areas of your business could be the perfect place to convert into a dedicated lactation space. Several online resources provide tips and guides to ensure the space is furnished with anything the mother needs.
Carnegie Mellon University recommends finding a space that includes at least one three-prong outlet, a locking door, blinds, and comfortable seating, among other accommodations. Healthy Horizons, an organization dedicated to empowering breastfeeding mothers and new parents at work and at home, provides a more detailed plan, including purchasing a refrigerator, pump tables, and a sound machine.
Your business’s dedicated space doesn’t have to be extravagant, but it should provide a private place with a visible label and be available on a regular basis. “We believe that small touches like this contribute significantly to the overall dining experience and reflect our business’s values of care, community, and sustainability,” Angela says.
Create a plan to overcome some of the challenges.
Some of the biggest challenges you must overcome when planning and building a lactation space in your business are time, finances, and outreach.
It can take time to assemble all the resources and supplies your business needs to fully accommodate a nursing mother. Before and during construction, find a private space that may be a suitable spot for nursing mothers to go. Remember the tips above about privacy, access, and a label.
Some of the supplies and furniture that may be included in the lactation space can be costly. Reach out to local partners, start a fundraiser, or contact a local women’s clinic to see if you can raise money for the cause. External funding resources change daily, but they are usually a good place to start.
- The Administration for Children & Families frequently offers grants serving children, families, and communities.
- The Department of Health and Human Services also has grants for educational and community-based organizations.
- You could also start a fundraiser, GoFundMe campaign, or reach out to local community partners for additional funding resources.
Outreach comes down to spreading the word among your employees and your customers. Newsletters, fliers, company advertisements, or word of mouth are all great ways to let the public know about your dedicated safe space. Try a variety of outreach methods. It can be hard to get the word out, but a lactation room can make a difference and promote a safe, comfortable, and welcoming space for new mothers.
For more information on important health care topics, follow AFMC on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and updates, including the most recent episode of AFMC TV.
