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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| Site | Room # | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 705 Broad St. | Suite 201 | 2nd floor (ask staff for assistance accessing this space) |
| 710 W. Main St.* | 106 | 1st floor, adjacent to the mail/copier room |
| Bryan Research Center* | 344 | 3rd floor of the Bryan Research Center |
| Carl Building* | 0102 | Take the passenger elevator in Carl Building to the first floor. Within the elevator lobby find room 102, the lactation room is located between the public restrooms. |
| Chesterfield Building* 701 W Main St. | 5113 | Take the passenger elevators to the fifth floor. Take a left into the main corridor and then take your first left into the smaller corridor. That hallway turns to the right and you will find the lactation room is the first door on your right, just after the turn. Look for room 5113. |
| Duke Cancer Institute (formerly Duke Cancer Center)* | 3N71 | Enter Cancer Center from the Level 2 Concourse entrance. Take elevator to Level 3. Lactation room is directly across the hall. |
| Duke Cancer Institute (formerly Duke Cancer Center) | 3N72 | Enter Cancer Center from the Level 2 Concourse entrance. Take elevator to Level 3. Lactation room is directly across the hall. |
| Duke Central Towers* | 2 B 62 | Take the elevator to 2 DCT. The lactation room is located in the hall adjacent to the Patient Transport lobby. From the lobby turn left and then into the hallway on the left. The lactation room is directly across from the Stairwell. |
| Duke Central Towers* | 9 B 62 | Take the elevator to 9 DCT. The lactation room is located in the hall adjacent to the Patient Transport lobby. From the lobby turn left and then into the hallway on the left. The lactation room is directly across from the Stairwell. |
| Duke Central Towers* | 10 B 62 | Take the elevator to 10 DCT. The lactation room is located in the hall adjacent to the Patient Transport lobby. From the lobby turn left and then into the hallway on the left. The lactation room is directly across from the Stairwell. |
| Duke Central Towers* | 11 B 51 | Take the elevator to 11 DCT. The lactation room is located in the Staff hallway with the On call rooms. From the Patient Transport lobby turn left and enter the Staff hallway across from room B 47. Once in the Staff hallway the lactation room is the 1st door on the left. |
| Duke Medical Pavilion* | 2W01A | 2nd floor - proceed through hall entrance marked "employees only". Turn left at end of hallway. |
| Duke Medical Pavilion | 2W01B | 2nd floor - proceed through hall entrance marked "employees only". Turn left at end of hallway. |
| Duke North (2nd floor)* | 2000E | Beside the men's restroom in the visitor elevator bank. |
| Duke North (3rd floor) | 3000E | Beside the men's restroom in the visitor elevator bank. |
| Duke North (4th floor) | 4000E | Beside the men's restroom in the visitor elevator bank. |
| Duke North (5th floor) | 5000E | Beside the men's restroom in the visitor elevator bank. |
| Duke North (6th floor) | 6000E | Beside the men's restroom in the visitor elevator bank. |
| Duke North (7th floor)* | 7000E | Beside the men's restroom in the visitor elevator bank. |
| Duke North (8th floor)* | 8000E | Beside the men's restroom in the visitor elevator bank. |
| Duke North (9th floor)* | 9000E | Beside the men's restroom in the visitor elevator bank. |
| Duke Regional Hospital, Emergency Dept.* | 2nd Floor, Main Hospital, Near Staff Entrance & Auditorium | |
| Duke Regional Hospital, Main Hospital* | 4th floor, to the left of Staff/Transport Elevator #7 | |
| Duke Regional Hospital, Behavioral Health Center (2 spaces)* | 2nd Floor, BHC, Close to Behavioral ED | |
| Duke Regional Hospital, Behavioral Health Center (2 spaces)* | 3rd Floor, BHC, Next to Elevator | |
| Duke South Clinic (2 pumps) | 5007 | Take yellow elevator to 5th floor. Turn left at corner. |
| The Durham Centre 300 W. Morgan St. in downtown Durham | 703 | See receptionists on eighth floor to be buzzed in room. |
| The Durham Centre 300 W. Morgan St. in downtown Durham | 903 | See receptionists on eighth floor to be buzzed in room. |
| Erwin Square* 2200 West Main St. | 1037A | 10th Floor, Room 1037A (across from break room 1029) |
| Fitzpatrick Building* | 3595 | 3rd floor, across the hall from the women's bathroom |
| French Science Family Room (2 pumps) | 1230 | Take the stairs down to the bottom floor, turn right and pass the elevator. Room is at the end of the hallway. |
| Friedl Building (Formerly East Campus Building) | 235 | Take stairs to the second floor and the room is straight ahead. Or turn left after exiting the elevator on the second floor. |
| Fuqua School of Business | E141 | In Keller East, if you enter from the circle (front of building) immediately turn left, the room is the last door on the left. |
| Hudson Hall Engineering Annex Research Drive | 190 | Enter Hudson Hall, follow hallway on right, turn left at stairs, room is on the left at the end of hallway. |
| Levine Science Research Center (LSRC) 450 Research Drive | B305 | Take main stairs or elevator to third floor, turn left, room is on your left. |
| MSRB (4 spaces/1pump)* | 0025D | Enter the building from the Research Drive side. Take elevator down one level. Go through double doors. Make the first left down the hallway. |
| MSRB III* | 1002 | First floor on the left side of the main lobby (just before the main auditorium) |
| North Pavilion* | 4107A | 4th floor key access required for entry (see security officer for access to the floor) |
| North Pavilion | 6015 | 6th floor key access required for entry (see security officer for access to the floor) |
| Perkins Library | Women's Restroom (room 117) | Within the first floor women's restroom |
| RTP* 27 Alexandria Way | 4N07 | 27 Alexandria Way, Node, 4th Floor |
| Sands Building* 303 Research Dr. | 447 | Take the elevator to the 4th floor - Room 447 is at the opposite end of the center hallway, within sight of the elevators. |
| Scott Family Athletic Performance Center* (connected to the Murray Building and across from Cameron Indoor Stadium) | 385B | 3rd floor, located inside the women's restroom, 385T |
| Smith Warehouse Bay 6 | 167 Family Room | After entering Bay 6, turn left, room is on the left. |
| Wadsworth Building* | 331 | 3rd floor, near the vending machines |
| Wilkinson Engineering Bldg.* | 408 | 4th floor. Turn right off elevator, pass blue walled conference room, head towards stairwell, pass through the first door then take a right and head towards the room. |
*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.
| Site | Room # | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bryan Student Center | Lower Level | 125 Science Drive |
| Duke Regional Hospital | N/A | 2nd Floor, Main Hospital, Next to Auditorium |
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)
The Benefits of Breastfeeding and Pumping
Breastfeeding and pumping lead to a decreased risk of illnesses for babies and nursing parents. Duke purchased several freestanding lactation pods for use in its three hospitals.