SHS Unveils New Lactation/Nursing Room

The Southampton School District recently cut the ribbon on a new lactation/nursing room at the high school. The welcoming and cozy room features a recliner, fridge and table that are complemented with a rug, salt lamp, pillow, throw blanket, snacks and a pump to express milk.

“We wanted to make it special, private and comfortable” said Darren Phillips, director of athletics, physical education, health and wellness. “It was also important to us to find a room that would just be used by nursing mothers and have a bathroom and sink.” 

As per New York State law, the district has always provided lactation/nursing facilities in its buildings, but Phillips said the room provided at the high school was not ideal. To provide a remedy, Phillips teamed up with high school administrators, the Breastfeeding, Resiliency, Engagement and Empowerment Coalition, and Thea Fry, representative of the Southampton Teachers Association Safety and Health Committee, to create a welcoming and nurturing room for nursing mothers.

With the success, the district plans to renovate lactation/nursing rooms at Southampton Elementary and Intermediate schools by the end of the school year.