Duke recognizes the importance and benefits of breastfeeding for infants and has made special accommodations to support new nursing parents as part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly work environment.

• Lactation Rooms
• Mobile Lactation Pods
• Benefit Coverage for Lactation Services
• For Assistance Locating Lactation Spaces

Lactation Rooms

Duke provides lactation rooms for faculty and staff to support nursing parents balancing their return to work with their needs new parents of young children. Each room offers a clean, secure, and user-friendly environment for nursing parents who need to express breast milk during their work shift. There are also additional lactation rooms managed by other departments.

Getting Started

To get started using one of the Duke Lactation Rooms, just follow these steps:

1. Set up your DukeCard ID for access: please submit the access form so that your DukeCard ID can be programmed for access. It is best to do this at least 10 days in advance. Staff & Family Programs will forward your information to either the Duke Card Office or Medical Center Card Office for processing.
2. Obtain breast pump attachments: most lactation rooms are equipped with a Medela Symphony Preemie+ electric pump. You will need to bring your own attachments for the Medela Symphony Preemie+ pump. Visit the Medela website for information on locations to purchase the attachments. You may also want to review the Symphony Preemie+ Quickstart Instructions before your first visit.
3. Plan for storage/cooling: refrigeration/storage is not provided in the rooms, so be prepared to store your breast milk as needed.

Scheduling Time in the Lactation Rooms

After you have set up your DukeCard ID for room access, you may reserve room space by using the Outlook calendar. Lactation room users will also be able to cancel their reservation from an online version of the calendar by visiting mail.duke.edu, freeing the room for other users.

How to Request Access

You will need to provide your Duke email address in order to use the Outlook calendar for the lactation rooms. This information is required at the time you submit your request for lactation room access.

While users will be able to schedule time in advance, we ask that you not schedule more than 30 days in advance. This will provide everyone with more flexibility to reserve space in the lactation room as their needs change.

Rooms set for use by more than one user at a time are to be scheduled based on available pumps in the room. (ex. Duke South Clinic, Duke North Hospital, French Science)

If you have questions regarding the use of the lactation room calendars, you may email staff-family-programs@duke.edu.

Privacy

Upon accessing the room, slide the sign to IN USE to alert other users that someone is using the room. Slide the sign back to VACANT when you leave the room unoccupied. Please respect the privacy of all lactation room users by knocking before keying in your card access to the rooms. Do not prop open the door at any time.

Cleaning & Sanitization

All lactation room users are expected to clean up after each use of a room, especially when using the on-site pump equipment. This is not only out of respect for the next user, but to prevent contamination and illness transmission. Each user should allow enough time, within your visit, to clean the pump equipment of breast milk spills after each use and dispose of trash properly. Cavicide wipes and paper towels are provided for cleaning spills off the pump and from the areas around the pump. We do not recommend that you use these products to sanitize your personal equipment.

Room Set Up

Ultimately the aim is to create a private, clean and comfortable space for breastfeeding parents. An unused large closet or private area off of a women's restroom would work. The area should be at least 7 feet by 7 feet, be ventilated, have a door that locks, electrical power and be completely private. The room should also be accessible to employees with disabilities and include a chair, desk, and a small table or shelf. Please email Staff and Family Programs for more information on how you can set up your lactation room.

Rules for Lactation Rooms

• No “pop in” usage of the lactation spaces; these rooms must be scheduled in advance
• Only one person at a time should be scheduled to use these spaces
• Reservations can be made for either 30 minutes up to an hour, but no more than an hour session
• Reservations should not exceed 30 days in advance
• Failure to use calendar properly will result in your being removed from the schedule

Lactation Room Locations

*Pumps are not provided for this room.

Creating Lactation Rooms

The following guidelines have also been developed to assist departments considering creating additional lactation rooms within their respective buildings.

Guidelines & Recommendations

Because space is at a premium, many departments may need to think creatively to identify a location to accommodate nursing moms. We offer some guidelines and recommendations to assist you:

• Bathrooms may not be utilized as a space for nursing moms.
• The identified space should:
  • have at least one three-prong outlet,
  • be available on a regular basis at half-hour intervals for at least three to four times daily,
  • have a locked door,
  • be outfitted with blinds or shades that can be drawn to cover the windows, if necessary,
  • be shielded from public view,
  • be void of intrusions from co-workers, and
  • offer a comfortable location for the nursing parent, such as a room with a couch or a comfortable chair.

Ideas for such spaces include offices or conference rooms that can be reserved on a regular basis. Spaces to avoid include janitorial closets, supply closets, and bathrooms.

If you need assistance to identify space for a nursing parent, please contact Staff and Family Programs at 919-684-2808 or staff-family-programs@duke.edu.

Mobile Lactation Pods

Mamava Pods provide a private, clean, and calming space to pump or nurse when at work. The pods come equipped with two benches, occupancy-activated lighting, a fold-down table and mirror, ceiling vents and exhaust fan, mobile app secure access, and dual outlets and USB ports for plugging in breast pump and charging devices.

To Locate a Mamava Lactation Pod at Duke:

• Download the Mamava App (App Store or Google Play)
• Make Sure Your Bluetooth Is Turned On
• Follow Instructions Within The App

Departments interested in purchasing a pod for their location should contact Staff & Family Programs at staff-family-programs@duke.edu or 919-684-2808.

Benefit Coverage for Lactation Services

Breastfeeding can bring with it a lot of questions and challenges. Lactation consultants and help answer questions and teach breastfeeding techniques to support new nursing parents, including establishing a good latch, identifying your baby's hunger cues, and increasing milk supply.

All four of Duke's health plans for active employees provide coverage for up to six visits from a lactation consultant with no co-pay. Additional visits are covered 100 percent after an office visit copay. Details can be found in the Member Guides for each plan available on the Human Resources website.

In addition, Duke's health plans now provide coverage for breast pumps as durable medical equipment. Consult the Member Guide for your health plan for additional information.

For Assistance Locating Lactation Spaces

For assistance with locating a lactation room, please contact the following:

• Duke University: Contact Staff & Family Programs at staff-family-programs@duke.edu
• Duke Regional Hospital: Contact Nurses Station (4th Floor) 919-470-4337
• Duke Raleigh Hospital: Contact Ky'arra Rogers at 919-621-2308 (cell) or 919-307-0350 (pager)