Mamava Provides Mobile Suites for Breastfeeding Moms
If you’re a mom, you’ve likely dealt with the struggles of nursing or using a breast pump in a public place. Nothing about it is easy. Nothing about it is comfortable. Christine Dodson and Sascha Mayer of Solidarity Design in Vermont are trying to change this by developing Mamava lactation suites. They are free-standing mobile pods (equipped with electricity) where moms can take a moment to use a breast pump or nurse in private. The duo has already installed Mamava in 10 locations around the country, including several airports, school campuses and even a mall in Missouri.
Mamava isn’t just a little box. It aims to be comfortable and calming to ensure the breast experience possible. And it’s designed with moms and babies in mind, which has been a problem even when buildings try to better accommodate nursing mothers. For example, Mayer explains that the Minneapolis airport includes a nursing mothers lounge, but the fabric seating isn’t built for spills and there are no electrical outlets and very little privacy, so breast pumping is out.
The Affordable Care Act recently set a mandate that employers with more than 50 hourly employees have to designate dedicated lactation spaces (other than a bathroom), so this mobile pod is definitely coming at the right time. It can be put almost anywhere, including an office. Mamava aims to “transform the culture of breastfeeding, making it more optimistic, realistic, accommodating and inviting to all mamas.” They hope to continue installing Mamava suites around the country, but in the meantime, you can check out their mobile app to find breastfeeding and pumping-friendly locations.
Do you think this is a good solution for moms? Let us know why or why not in the comments!
(h/tFast Company)
