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Ohio University Eastern Debuts Lactation Room

Space set aside for breastfeeding moms

Photo Provided Celebrating the unveiling of the Lactation Room at Ohio University Eastern recently are, front row from left, vice president of diversity and inclusion Gigi Secuban; student senator Brooke Robinson; academic adviser and retention coordinator Jennifer Kellner-Muscar; WIC director Linda Mehl; back row from left, Dean Bob Klein and director of external relations E.J. Schodzinski.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE –Ohio University Eastern debuted a new campus Lactation Room for students and staff recently.

The room, which was funded in part by the Women’s Center on the Athens Campus, is located in Office Suite 302B of Shannon Hall. It features a comfortable, private setting and is outfitted with a breast pump, a glider rocker and some informational literature. The Lactation Room is open for students and employees throughout each school day.

Linda Mehl, the Women, Infants and Children director at the Belmont County Health Department, attended the opening and came away pleased with the commitment from Ohio University Eastern.

“Breastfeeding has been shown to have many health benefits for the mother and the baby, she said. “We are excited that Ohio University has set aside space for moms to go and pump and we hope that other schools and business entities will follow suit and provide this kind of facility for moms, too.”

Mary Magers, breastfeeding coordinator at Belmont County WIC, agreed with Mehl.

“Breastmilk is the ideal nutrition for infants up to age one,” she said. “By providing a Lactation Room, women who attend school or work at the Eastern Campus will be able to maintain their supply and therefore keep their babies healthy, too. In addition, moms of breastfed babies miss less school, and are able to better concentrate on learning while earning a degree. Overall, it benefits mom, baby and schools.”

“It really provides access for women who are in need of those spaces,” said Gigi Secuban, OUE Diversity and Inclusion vice president. “We want to be able to provide these in spaces where they don’t have to go to the restrooms.”

Ohio University Eastern Dean Bob Klein also was fully supportive of the space and happy to reveal the new room.

“Ohio University Eastern wants to be one of the premiere family-friendly institutions and campuses throughout the region, he said. “We are thrilled to unveil the Lactation Room, which will help us to be welcoming and supportive of our students and their families. We are also very thankful to the Women’s Center for this wonderful gift.”

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