Lactation Room Furniture: The Essential Items
Lactation rooms offer breastfeeding parents a private, comfortable space to express breast milk. Not only are lactation spaces legally required for workplaces, but they also create a welcoming physical environment to support breastfeeding parents wherever they go. Whether in a workplace or a public venue, making sure the space is set up and furnished appropriately is key to providing the infrastructure breastfeeding parents need. Here are the essential items to furnish a lactation room.
A lock
As you’re considering lactation room furniture, remember that having a locking door is important to give breastfeeding parents privacy and peace of mind as they disrobe and pump. In fact, having a smart lock with a keypad code can offer even more security for users. While windows are not recommended, if there are any in the lactation room make sure they have blinds or curtains to draw.
Lactation room signage
Be sure that there is an occupancy indicator either built-in to the lock or as a sign parents can put on the door. Provide clear signage, both on the exterior of the space and in all your facility signage, to help breastfeeding parents find the lactation room.
A comfortable chair
Breastfeeding parents need a comfortable place to sit for nursing or pumping. Adjustable chairs offer a variety of positions for parents to choose from. For easy clean-up, the best lactation room chairs are made of nonabsorbent material.
A table or surface for a breast pump
Place a small table or shelf near the chair so that parents have a convenient spot for their breast pump and pumping supplies.
Electrical outlets and USB ports
Ensure both the chair and the table are close to an outlet (with USB ports) to plug in a pump and personal devices. Some parents may want to work while pumping, so having adequate outlets is key.
Adjustable lighting
Pumping parents may prefer task lighting, but nursing parents often prefer soft, dimmable lights. Whether an overhead light on a dimmer switch or a floor lamp placed near the chair, be sure parents have options that suit their needs.
Cleaning supplies
Spilled milk happens. Stock lactation rooms with hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes so parents can easily wipe down pump parts and do a quick spot clean-up when they’re done.
Easy access to a sink
If you’re building out a new lactation room, consider adding a sink. If you’re converting a room or installing a freestanding lactation pod, be sure the space is located near a restroom so parents have easy access to running water.
Trash can
Provide a trash can for easy disposal of wipes and other items necessary for cleaning up after pumping. As with bathrooms, put lactation rooms on a daily cleaning schedule (or more frequently, depending on the location) to empty trash and sanitize surfaces.
Coat hooks and storage
Make sure there are plenty of places for users to hang their coats and other personal belongings. For workplaces, consider adding lockers for storage of pump parts and pump bags.
A mirror
Expressing milk requires partially disrobing, so hang a mirror inside the room so parents can check their appearance and adjust their clothing before they leave.
Calming decor
Choose quiet, calming colors and art work to create a relaxing space. Expressing breast milk is a physiological response so breastfeeding parents need a secure, private, and stress-free environment.
Extra amenities for workplace lactation rooms
A white noise machine for sound dampening
A bulletin board or white board so breastfeeding employees can share encouraging notes for one another and photos of their babies
A multi-user hospital-grade pump so employees only need to bring their personal pump parts (and not their whole pump)
Access to a refrigerator where employees can store their pumped milk and a microwave for sterilizing pump parts
A wall clock
Furnishing a lactation room with the appropriate amenities and materials can make a big difference for breastfeeding parents. If your organization doesn’t have a lactation room or available space to convert into one, freestanding lactation pods come fully furnished with everything parents need to pump or nurse. They’re also easy to move to accommodate changes in traffic patterns or needs. Learn more here.
Mamava designs solutions to empower breastfeeding and pumping parents on the go, like our freestanding lactation pods, Mamava’s lactation space locator app, and other helpful resources.
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