By Sula Kim – WDSU News
NEW ORLEANS —Alexis Guthrie and Liz Caruso are now mothers. They are both nurses at Ochsner and pump at least twice a day during work hours.
“They say breastfeeding is the best way to feed your newborn,” said Caruso.
Ochsner provides a private room for mothers like Guthrie and Caruso to pump.
It’s small but functional, sanitary and private spruced up with some fragrance and adorned with baby/mommy photos.
“The picture of the babies breastfeeding helps, kind of thinking about your own baby,” said Guthrie.
“I think it’s very helpful to have a nice place to not be interrupted,” said Caruso.
Under federal law, employers must designate a room like this for women to pump.
Certified Lactation Consultant Cindy Boudreaux said it should not be the restroom.
“There are still places where they’re still probably using the restroom, which is not sanitary. I mean, you and I don’t eat our lunch in a restroom, so why would a mom go pump her baby’s food in a dirty space?” Boudreaux said.
The law says mothers can take as many breaks as they need to pump. On average, it’s about two or three times a day and about 15 minutes each time.
“Employers do not have to pay for that time that she goes to pump,” Boudreaux said.
The pumping room at Charity School of Nursing is one of the more lavish ones out there with many perks like a curtain to divide the room in case more than one person uses it. And there’s a fridge so mothers can put their milk inside.
The baby shelves are stocked with resources like pamphlets and reading material on baby and mother’s health, sanitary wipers, a cozy rug and a comfortable sofa.
Caitrin Alb with the Louisiana Workforce Breastfeeding Program reaches out to employers lobbying for rooms like these.
“Most companies don’t even know how best to support their pumping employees,” Alb said.
In fact, when Alb started her campaign a year ago, she was shocked there were only a handful of pumping rooms in the state.
“Why don’t women ask?” asked WDSU anchor Sula Kim.
“They’re scared they’ll lose their jobs or people thinking they need accommodations that are above and beyond. I think women are just intimidated about it, and they shouldn’t be at all,” said Alb.
In the last year or so, Alb has been successful in establishing pumping rooms in local hotels and offices. Her next goal is to push for pumping rooms in local restaurants and grocery stores, which is a challenge because of the limited space. She encourages all women to speak up and ask for pumping rooms in the workplace.
Learn more: http://womenshealth.tulane.edu/