Breastfeeding and pumping can create a lot of challenges when you're traveling for the holidays or embarking on a cross-country vacation. Finding a private place to get comfortable enough to have a good pumping session can seem impossible, especially when you're at the airport, scrambling to get from point A to point B. Mamava nursing "lactation" pods are here to save the day— the cute, comfy space offers everything a breastfeeding mama needs to breastfeed or pump in privacy!
Mamava nursing pods
Many airports nationwide now offer awesome, spacious pods from a company called Mamava. They are found in airports everywhere from New York to California! The pods offer a spacious area for mom and baby to interact quietly and comfortably. There is a bench, shelf, outlet and a lock on the door to ensure privacy. The bench is spacious enough for mom and baby to relax and have a successful feeding session and the spacious shelf allows room for your breast pump, which is so much better than a bathroom stall! Underneath the shelf, there is an electrical outlet so you are able to pump and/or charge your breast pump. Another awesome feature of the Mamava pod is the Mamava on-the-go app — simply download the app on your iPhone or Android, and it lets you know where the closest nursing pod is located. This makes last-minute pumping or nursing sessions a breeze! Traveling can be hard and stressful, but the Mamava pods understand moms need the ability to pump anytime and anywhere.
Nursing as a right, not a privilege
Mamava co-founders Christina Dodson and Sascha Mayer stand by their motto that “nursing should be a right and not a privilege”. Too many mothers can relate to the statement. Before stations and pods were created, it was difficult to find a private space for mom to successfully feed her newborn. Airports had private clubs that offered a little bit more privacy than the public bathroom, but it usually resulted in finding a hidden corner with a blanket draped over you and baby. Mamava nursing pods spread the importance of “raising the profile of this natural human function, and celebrating the realities of the logistics involved in taking on breastfeeding for the many, many mothers who need to be away from their babies”. They don’t want to hide or marginalize breastfeeding or pumping, they want the idea on display while allowing mom her privacy at the same time!
Breast pump friendly airports
There was a call for breast pump friendly airports after mothers became tired of using the bathroom lounge, the family bathroom, or even a bathroom stall as an area deemed a “lactation room” by the airport. Moms started to take a stand. This is evident by Illinois passing a law that airports needed to accommodate breastfeeding mothers with a private area (under the Friendly Airports for Mothers Act). Chicago’s O’Hare agreed with this passing! They already had set apart a designated lactation room, and are working on offering lactation rooms at every terminal! Airports are becoming more understanding and are accommodating breastfeeding and pumping moms. This is great news and takes off some of the stress away from traveling while breastfeeding. Companies like Mamava want everyone to celebrate the beauty of breastfeeding. This is an important bonding time for mom and baby, and moms have the right to keep it private while having the ability to relax and be comfortable!
Information provided in blogs should not be used as a substitute for medical care or consultation.