Children’s Hospital of Georgia installs nursing pods for new moms

Nursing moms visiting the Children’s Hospital of Georgia can now use a freestanding lactation pod to conveniently, privately and safely pump breast milk or nurse their babies.

Children’s has installed the area’s first Mamava suite, a mobile pod equipped with cushioned benches, a fold-down table, an electrical outlet for plugging in a breast pump and a door that can be locked for privacy. The 4-by-8 pod is meant for individual use, but can fit more than one person, as well as mothers with babies and other children if needed.

Primarily intended for Augusta University Health employees, the pod is also available to those visiting the hospital. Women gain entry by using a physical key provided by AU Health or by unlocking the keypad lock with a code provided through the Mamava app.

AU Health has a total of three pods located in the Augusta University Medical Center, the Children’s Hospital of Georgia and in the Medical Office Building. An unveiling of one of the pods will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in the lobby of Entrance F of Children’s, located across from the Medical Office Building on the Health Sciences Campus. The media and public are invited to tour the suite.

“Installing the Mamava suites reinforces our commitment and dedication to the health of mothers and their babies,” said Kim Basso, director of Nursing for Women and Children Services at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. “We consider these pods as an extension of the health care we already provide to meet the needs of nursing moms and their families while they are at our facilities.”

Sascha Mayer, co-founder and CEO of Mamava, shared similar sentiments.

“We’re thrilled to support breastfeeding mamas at Augusta University Health,” said Mayer. “We believe that all mamas deserve a clean, comfortable, and dignified place to use a breast pump or breastfeed distraction-free — anywhere, any time. Mamava pods provide flexibility for facilities and easy access for moms.”

In addition to the Mamava suites, Augusta University has private lactation rooms for its employees and students on the Health Sciences, Summerville and Riverfront campuses.

“If you’re a nursing mom on the go, I am sure you have pumped in some awkward places and there’s an added challenge when you’re a working mom who rarely gets breaks,” said Dr. Rebecca Pierce, a pediatrician at Children’s. “We care about our patients, employees and their families, which is why I am grateful we can offer the Mamava suites as well as our other lactation areas for mothers to have a clean and private space to pump or breastfeed their baby.”

The purchase of the suites was made possible by the donations from individuals and community partners to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.