Description
A fixture in the public space, nursing pods provide new mothers with the opportunity to care for their babies in a private, dedicated space. The room features a compact pod-style design that is cheap to build and does not take up much space in a commercial or office environment. The pod features a sliding door that hangs from above, allowing moms to easily access the interior while also further saving space.
Portable lactation pods are equipped with advanced technology such as ozone systems with UV lights to disinfect the space between uses. The room has been installed in several locations across Japan.
Trending topics
1. Portable nurseries ?C Businesses have an opportunity to make public spaces more accessible to new moms with low-cost and easy-to-deploy nurseries.
2. Compact pod design – Design innovation provides compact pod-style solutions for various public spaces, not only suitable for mothers, but also suitable for various uses.
3. Advanced Disinfection Technology ?C Businesses have the opportunity to integrate advanced disinfection technology to promote cleanliness and safety in various public spaces beyond the nursery.
Industry impact
1. Retail ?C Retailers can entice new moms to shop by offering portable nurseries that offer a more comfortable option than the bathroom for feeding and changing babies.
2. Offices ?C Offices can be designed with compact pods to create private spaces for employees to rest and recharge, potentially increasing productivity and employee satisfaction.
3. Hotel Services ?C Hotels can utilize portable baby rooms to create a family-friendly atmosphere and meet guest needs in a cost-effective manner.
For new mothers, returning to work after maternity leave can be emotionally challenging, and the stress of pumping at work can make things even more difficult. Fortunately, workplaces and corporate offices can make the transition easier for nursing mothers by providing lactation pods. The design of a nursing pod should include everything needed to make the experience a relaxing and comfortable one for nursing parents.
Breastfeeding cabin design
privacy
Power outlet
comfortable seats
table or countertop
calm decoration
garbage can
Basic cleaning supplies
Designating nursing stations for moms not only makes ethical sense, but is also federal law for some companies. Additionally, static data shows that providing a lactation room or pod has benefits for the entire workplace. Rather than designating an entire room or building additional space for this important space, why not use a lactation pod specifically for this purpose?
What are lactation pods?
A lactation pod is a prefabricated, portable structure designed for nursing mothers to breastfeed or express milk in a private space.
The nursing cabin comes standard with specific accessories to ensure a nursing mother has everything she needs. These include comfortable benches, power sockets, metal coat hooks and fold-out shelves for breast pumps, bottles or bags. There’s enough room for a stroller, a large bag and extra kids. All interior surfaces of the nursing box are made of food-grade materials, making them easy to clean and hygienic.
Rustica’s lactation pod has a warm and welcoming aesthetic so working moms can sit in a quiet, relaxing space while pumping. For privacy, it has modern glass doors with blackout glass.
The value of investing in a portable nursing pod is that it??s prefabricated, so you don??t have to retrofit a building or office space with new construction. Breastfeeding pods in offices or workspaces also mean companies don??t have to reallocate existing rooms into lactation rooms, saving space and resources.
The biggest benefit of a nursing pod is that it offers increased flexibility. It can be moved to a new location if needed, and its smaller size allows it to easily fit into a variety of spaces. New construction is expensive and time-consuming, whereas lactation pods are prefabricated and ready for immediate use. It may be an upfront investment, but it will ultimately save the company time, space and resources.
Why is creating a care space important?
Designated care pods greatly enhance the work environment for many reasons. Best of all, it makes it easier for nursing mothers to return to work. After maternity leave ends, most breastfeeding mothers plan to continue breastfeeding their baby. They can do this by pumping milk at work, which can be used to feed the baby while they are away.
Companies can show their appreciation and value for working mothers by providing designated lactation rooms or lactation rooms. This protects the privacy of nursing parents while providing a comfortable, relaxing space to express milk. When a company shows that they care about their employees who are mothers, it shows all employees that the company values and cares about them. This is generally good for employee morale. Employees who feel valued are more motivated to work efficiently and do a good job.
Research also shows that working mothers who are able to continue to provide breast milk to their children miss fewer days from work due to illness or a sick child. Breastfed babies and breastfeeding mothers have higher immune systems; therefore, they are less likely to get sick. Research shows that if babies do get sick, they recover faster thanks to the mother’s immune-boosting breast milk.
Finally, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Breastfeeding Mothers Act (Breast Pump Act) legally require companies to provide designated lactation rooms or lactation rooms. Under these laws, all employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, regardless of the size of their business, must comply with this provision. However, employers with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from the FLSA rest period requirements if the employer can demonstrate that complying with the provision would cause an undue hardship.
The Pump Act states that employers must designate a lactation station, room or nursing room for working mothers to express breast milk and provide reasonable breaks. This designated breastfeeding space cannot be a bathroom and must be blocked from view and protected from intrusion by co-workers or the public. This designated space also comes with further lactation room requirements, including lactation room signage. Additionally, as a public accommodation, the space must meet ADA compliance, which governs the accessibility of rooms or seclusion areas for people with disabilities.
7 things to include in your corporate lactation pod design
In addition to proper lactation room signage and spacing, the following lactation space design elements should be included to ensure that nursing mothers are comfortable and that the space is legally compliant with the FLSA. If you have any confusion or concerns about additional resources that lactation stations may require, please consider contacting public safety personnel, a lactation consultant, or a health care professional.
1. Privacy
The most important design feature your nursing pod or room must have is privacy. When pumping, it is best for the mother to feel relaxed and comfortable and not worry about others seeing or disturbing her. That means it has to be an enclosed space with a door or curtains so she can’t be seen by coworkers or customers.
To ensure staff are not disturbed while pumping, lactation bay doors need to have appropriate signage to show that the room is in use. The company may also add a lock to the door for added privacy.
Rustica??s nursing pod certainly serves this function, serving as an enclosed personal space for nursing parents. However, due to differences in demand and regulations, Rustica’s lactation and lactation stations do not include a locking mechanism.
2. Power socket
Nursing stations must also include one or more electrical outlets??preferably more than one. The nursing box requires electricity and an electrical outlet so that nursing mothers can plug in a breastfeeding pump.
In addition to the socket for the breast pump, it is best to have an additional socket for the mother to plug in her mobile phone or laptop while pumping. This additional outlet allows for greater flexibility within the nursing station. Alternatively, the other outlet can be a plug-in for optional speakers, where working moms can play music or white noise to create a quieter environment.
You also need to consider the location of the outlet compared to a bench or chair where the mother will use the breast pump. You want to make sure that an electrical outlet is easily accessible and close to where she sits.
3. Comfortable seats
Comfortable seating is an obvious necessity in nursing space design. This can be in the form of a comfortable bench or a comfortable chair.
You will want this seat to be as relaxed as possible so that the employee is comfortable while breastfeeding. Consider adding soft cushions and padded backrests to your bench or chair.
For ease of use, you’ll want to consider the position of the chair or bench relative to electrical outlets and a small table or shelf. This way, the mother has everything she needs at her fingertips. All of these care design considerations are included in Rustica’s Nursing Box.
4. Table or countertop
When a working mother pumps breast milk, she needs a flat surface to place her breast pump, bag, laptop or cell phone. That??s why it??s important to have a small table or countertop in your lactation room or lactation room.
You want the surface of your countertop or table to be smooth and easy to wipe down. Countertops or tables should also be made from food service-grade materials to ensure a sanitary environment and easy cleaning.
To fully integrate everything a nursing mother might need, consider adding a sink (complete with soap and paper towels) to the countertop to allow for rinsing breast pump parts after employees are done pumping. Designing sinks in lactation spaces means employees don??t have to rinse, clean and dry breast pump parts in shared employee kitchens or break rooms.
Some pump units can be steam cleaned using a microwave. So if your company’s lactation box doesn’t have access to a sink, consider placing a small microwave on the countertop for employee use.
5. Calm decor
The aesthetics of a nursing room or lactation room should be warm and welcoming. The goal is to create an environment as relaxing as possible for breastfeeding mothers.
To make the space more cozy, consider adding calming accents. This can take many forms, such as a small potted plant, a beautiful painting, or even a cozy blanket.
If you want to create a more personal space, you can also allow breastfeeding employees to post photos of themselves, such as photos of their children or something that makes them feel grounded and relaxed.
6. Trash can
Under the table or countertop, you will need a small trash can for caregivers. These litters help dispose of dirty rags after employees clean work surfaces or any other items that need to be thrown away when using nursing boxes.
Ideally, trash cans should be concealed and have lids. This way, there will be no distractions or bad odors in the room. They should also be replaced frequently to keep the space fresh and clean.
7. Basic cleaning supplies
The last things to incorporate into your nursing space are basic cleaning supplies, including paper towels, disinfectant spray or antibacterial wipes, and an all-purpose cleaner.
Moms can use these cleaning products to wipe down the countertop after pumping to prevent breast milk from spilling. Having these supplies on hand can also bring comfort to the nursing mother as she can sanitize the counter to ensure she is pumping milk in a hygienic environment.
Design a care pod for your office today!
Since the federal government requires designated lactation rooms, having one in your modern office is crucial. But you don??t have to build a new room or designate an existing room as a nursing station. You can make your company??s job easy by providing a modern portable nursing box with all the necessary design elements mentioned above.
Whether your office is on the 2nd or 100th floor, portable nursing stations can fit into your available space. Additionally, providing a safe, private space for mothers returning to work shows that you value and care about your employees, which is one of the most important things you can do as a company.
If you??re ready to design and order a portable lactation pod for your office, contact the design team today!
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