Breastfeeding is the recommended form of infant nutrition throughout the
first year of life. A common reason why women cease breastfeeding is
because of returning to work or school. In 2008, Colorado passed the
Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Act which requires employers
to provide adequate break time and a private place for an employee to
express breast milk for her nursing child. An environmental scan on campus
was completed to determine if there was a location that would provide
breastfeeding mothers a comfortable, private space. Two Lactation Stations
(LS) were located and items were purchased for the spaces. LS protocol and
policy development, and items obtained for the spaces occurred. Collaboration
with Human Resources resulted in a lactation accommodation request
form. A questionnaire on LS effectiveness and usage was developed and
collected. Over 35 women (w1,000 visits) have used the LS in the past 1 1/2
years. All women who filled out the LS evaluation survey (n¼12), have stated
that the LS met their needs and without the space they would not have
breastfed their infants past six months (average duration rates are approximately
9 months). The two LS have been successfully instituted and evaluations
will continue to ensure that the space meets the needs of students,
faculty, staff and the community. In addition, other initiatives such as a
marketing plan, screen rental program and breastfeeding support groups are
currently being developed to continue to support breastfeeding women on a
college campus.