One-of-a-kind airport 'lactation station' welcomes nursing moms

One-of-a-kind airport 'lactation station' welcomes nursing moms


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VERMONT — Big news for breastfeeding mothers of the jet-setting variety — there could be a state-of-the art "lactation station" coming to an airport near you.

A one-of-a-kind breastfeeding station began welcoming nursing moms with open arms Thursday at the Burlington International Airport in Vermont. The first-ever lactation pod was specifically installed past the security checkpoint so women waiting on their flights or stranded by delays would have a comfortable, quiet and private place to nurse their babies or pump.

Features include comfortable seating, a table on which to situate a breast pump, power outlets, soft lighting and plenty of space for the caravan of strollers, diaper bags and luggage that generally accompany a traveling mother.

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The kiosk was designed and developed by Momava — a Burlington-based company which operates under the mantra "Design Solutions for Mamas on the Go." Company co-founder Sascha Mayer headed up the project after Burlington International's aviation director reached out to her.

Richards' goal is simple — make travel a "relaxing" and enjoyable experience for all who set foot in the airport. In May of this year, Richards oversaw the creation of a pre-security nursing lounge where a bank of pay phones once resided.

"Even if it's only used occasionally, the lounge makes the airport more comfortable for moms," he told TODAY Moms.

Mayer — a working mother who found herself packing a breast pump whenever she traveled — drew on personal experience throughout the design process.

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"I'd end up using the pump in a public bathroom," Mayer told TODAY Moms. "I know women who have had to use breast pumps in cars, storage closets and some very unusual places when they travel."

Mayer and Richards are hoping to make these practices things of the past.

"This allows a nursing mother to go through security and use the station to pump shortly before her flight," Mayer told TODAY. "It's all about solving a problem."

At this point, travelers will have to fly through Burlington International to get a look at the Mamava Laction Station since it's still in the testing stage. But if reaction is positive, the hope is that mothers will see these stations popping up in airport terminals across the country — maybe even the globe.

Ironically, Burlington International Airport was the scene of a "nurse-in" protest in 2006, prompted by an incident in which a woman was kicked off an airplane after she refused to cover herself while breastfeeding her infant daughter.

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Jessica Ivins

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