An Evaluation of On-Campus Lactation Spaces for Student-Parents

Abstract

Background: Numerous researchers have evaluated the influence of federal and workplace lactation policies on breastfeeding duration, however few have considered the experiences of breastfeeding people returning to school. Research aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of existing on-campus lactation spaces. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with student-parents ( N = 18) who had expressed milk on campus. Data collection and thematic analysis were based on the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality framework for evaluating health services from the human rights literature and adapted for this study. Results: For most participants with proximal access to a designated lactation space, room availability was exceptional and quality was marginally adequate. The provision of breast pumps, in-room sinks, and study desks were important aspects of quality discussed by the participants. Not all participants made use of the university’s designated lactation spaces due to either physical or informational inaccessibility. If designated lactation spaces were not convenient, participants found closer alternatives (e.g., bathroom, staff offices, or during the academic session). Conclusion: Breastfeeding parents who return to school experience obstacles similar to those reported by employed parents who return to work. They require convenient access to appropriate spaces and sufficient privacy to express milk for their infants. In order to best support all learners, university leaders must consider the needs of this unique student population.

Intervention Strategies and Lessons Learned From a Student-Led Initiative to Support Lactating Women in the University Setting

“…Our project implementation strategies align closely with other research and calls to action (Albrecht et al, 2017;Ladores et al, 2019). Some research has called for university leaders at all levels to be vocal champions for lactation support and involved in identifying multilevel solutions, which is congruent with our implementation findings (Bostick et al, 2016;Ladores et al, 2019;Sturtevant et al, 2020). However, even when there is a lack of structural support and administrative buy-in for lactation initiatives, this project supports that student organizations and lactating parents themselves can utilize similar grassroots strategies to research, advocate for, and improve the campus lactation environment.…”

Desafios entre a vida acadêmica e o aleitamento materno: Uma revisão sistemática

“…Dos 15 artigos selecionados para a revisão, 10 possuíam como objetivo analisar o apoio das Instituições de ensino superior a estudantes nutrizes. (Nkrumah & Gbagbo, 2018;Bostick et al, 2016;Al-Imari et al, 2019;Spatz, 2019;Dinour et al, 2020;Bai et al, 2016;Sturtevant et al, 2019;Adcock et al, 2019;Dinour et al, 2015;Anderson et al, 2019). Tais artigos, levantaram a discussão sobre a carência de espaços adequados nos Campus universitários para as estudantes nutrizes amamentarem e realizarem a ordenha das mamas.…”

Developing a University Student Lactation Policy in the United States

“…The literature regarding lactating university students is limited, but what is available reveals similar challenges between lactating employees and lactating university students (Burns & Triandafilidis, 2019). Employee challenges include little or no managerial support, not enough time for breaks, inadequate space for expressing milk, and not enough privacy (Sturtevant et al, 2021; Valizadeh et al, 2018). According to Cohen (2021), lactation justice is a component of equity law and reproductive rights in the United States.…”

“…The United States Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to provide sufficient break time for an employee to express their milk in a private place other than a bathroom. Researchers examining access to workplace lactation accommodations found that women with both adequate break time and privacy were twice as likely to be breastfeeding exclusively at 6 months compared to women without access to these accommodations (Barraza et al, 2020; Sturtevant et al, 2021). These are just four examples demonstrating the importance of a policy in shaping breastfeeding outcomes.…”