Lactation Station Launched at Downeast Community Events
Lactation Station Launched at Downeast Community Events
Quiet Breastfeeding Space Inspires Change, Helping New Moms Prosper!
In December 2022, the PUMP Act (Providing Urgent Maternal Protections) was signed into law. This significant legislation mandates that employers provide “a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusions from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.” This new policy ensures that breastfeeding mothers have the necessary accommodations to continue breastfeeding upon returning to work. However, for many, adapting to this new “pumping break” policy can be challenging, especially if employers are not yet aware of the new law.
Healthy Acadia’s Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Coordinator, Sandy Fortin, along with Camisha Norris and Lauren Sachs, Community Navigators through PROSPER—a Healthy Acadia initiative supporting pregnant women and new mothers with substance use disorders—have collaborated to design a pop-up lactation station to support breastfeeding people at community events. This initiative underscores the importance of providing a quiet space to nurse or pump and aims to educate the community about supporting breastfeeding in the workplace and the PUMP Act.
The lactation station has been featured at various events, including school Pre-K registration, community baby showers, Pride Day celebrations, the Juneteenth Downeast Commemoration, and Lobster Festivals. It has successfully engaged community members of all ages in discussions about the significance of supporting breastfeeding mothers.
The Lactation Station made its debut at Jewett Elementary School in Bucksport, where visitors expressed enthusiasm about the initiative’s recognition of the importance of supporting breastfeeding people. During this event, the station sparked conversations between our HEAL Coordinator and school staff to identify a suitable breastfeeding room for the next breastfeeding staff member, anticipated in 2025. This effort included sharing worksite Breastfeeding Policy templates and evaluating potential sites for a permanent “pumping break” room.
Plans are underway to submit a Breastfeeding Policy to the School Wellness Committee for implementation and to designate an underused room for “pumping breaks.”
Highlights of the Lactation Station Initiative:
An inviting pop-up tent providing a quiet space for resting, changing, and feeding children, inspiring positive change.
Co-sponsored by Healthy Acadia’s PROSPER initiative.
Technical assistance for mothers who breastfeed to facilitate their return to work and access to quiet spaces at community events.
Healthy Acadia HEAL Coordinator serves as an ambassador for breastfeeding people, enhancing their transition back to work and easing their participation in community events to meet their lactation and care needs.
For more information, contact Sandy Fortin at Sandy.Fortin@healthyacadia.org.
Look for our Lactation Station at these upcoming events:
Healthy Acadia's PROSPER & HEAL Lactation Station is scheduled to be at a lobster festival and 3 Community Baby Showers!
Winter Harbor: Lobster Festival Sat. August 10th. 9-3
Machias: Community Baby Shower at Pellon Center Fri. August 16th 11 am - 2 pm
Princeton: Indian Township Community Baby Shower Fri. August 30th 11-2
Ellsworth: Moore Center Community Baby Shower Sat. September 7th 10 -2
Read more about our efforts and the PUMP Act here: Maine Breastfeeds Blog.