By Jim Hoehn, images Benjamin Slain
Rachel Clemons didn’t wait too long to point out the advantages of the new lactation pod at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center.
Clemons, a 27-year-old Marine Veteran, and her husband, James, also a Marine Veteran, were accompanied by their daughter, Tali, who was eight days old.
“It’s pretty cool for people that want the privacy aspect,” Rachel Clemons said. “That makes sense versus. if they want to do it in public. And, it’s much cleaner and healthier than a bathroom.”
Privacy and convenience were two of the reasons for the Mamava lactation pod, which was placed at the south entrance lobby of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center.
“I’m just so pleased because it sends a nice message to the community that we want to accommodate your needs,” said Jill Feldman, Women Veterans Program manager at Milwaukee VA and the impetus behind the project, which was first discussed several years ago.
Those using the lactation pod in the main hospital must obtain a key from the information desk in the east entrance lobby, or after hours at the AOD office in room 1104, around the corner from the information desk.
Torrie Hutchison, a member of the Milwaukee VA Women’s Health Committee, said practically and necessity also were important factors.
“We had a Veteran that had twins that needed to breastfeed and we had no place to put her,” said Hutchison, a supervisor for Admissions and Eligibility. “There is only an employee lactation room and due to privacy, we couldn’t use that. In the past, they would put them in a clinical room, but because of clinical space, we really didn’t have anything.”
The pods, which are equipped with electrical outlets, are not just used for breastfeeding, but also offer a private space for pumping, Hutchison said.
The comfort zone of others, especially in terms of gender and generation, also is important, Clemons said.
“It eliminates the stressors, too,” she said. “You don’t have to worry about someone getting offended.”
Other area facilities such as Miller Park, the Milwaukee County Zoo, and Mitchell International Airport also have offer lactation pods, which Hutchison said reflects the change in attitude toward breastfeeding.
“Nowadays, there is a lot of is pro-breastfeeding because of the benefit it does for the child and for the mother and the bonding experience,” she said. “We also need to show that for our female Veterans, and guests, that we are OK with breastfeeding here at the VA and promote good care for our Veterans. This being one of them.”
The women’s health committee provided statistical research to help communicate the need for the lactation pods.
“These are the amounts of Veterans that have just delivered a baby and are possibly breastfeeding,” Hutchison said. “These are our numbers. This shows that we need something. We can’t just rely on the bathroom or, ‘Oh, is there an office open?’ We can’t do that.”
Two additional pods are in place and will be operational soon. One is in Building 43 at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center and another at the Green Bay Health Care Center.
