JHU Lactation Support Program takes home gold

On Nov. 15, the Johns Hopkins University Lactation Support Program team attended the Tenth Annual Regional Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Awards and brought home a gold.

The awards are given by the DC Breastfeeding Coalition and the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition, nonprofit organizations that foster the establishment of breastfeeding as the normal way to nurture infants. Nominated businesses were judged based on their size and the accommodations they provide, and received awards at gold, silver, or bronze levels.

"The businesses receiving these awards serve as role models for our region," said Dana Silver, past president of the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition.

Johns Hopkins' Lactation Support Program aims to make the transition back to work/study easier and provides guidance to managers and other leaders on how to ensure their employees have the resources they need.

Currently, there are 37 registered lactation rooms across Hopkins campuses, with more on the horizon. Each offers private, comfortable space and includes at least one hospital grade pump to make milk expression quick and efficient. Lacstation vending machines, which were developed at Johns Hopkins, are offered at two locations to provide employees with a quick solution for lost or missing accessory kit parts to use with the pumps in the rooms. Online registration allows users to select and use rooms most convenient to them.

In addition to providing room access, the Lactation Support website provides lactation resources, information on the university's current policy, and assistance for managers who are trying to locate or create a new, temporary, or permanent space in which employees can pump.

Jeremy Hornberger, family programs specialist, and Jeanne Lovy, director of Family Support Services, received the award on Johns Hopkins' behalf. "We are honored and excited to receive this award," Hornberger said. "It is inspiring to see how many workplaces are making this a priority. Our hope is to continue paving the way to make lactation support in the workplace the norm."