By GABRIELLE MARTIN, Staff Reporter.
There are many benefits to breastfeeding a child. As stated on the Women’s Health website, research shows that breastfed babies have lower risks of problems such as childhood leukemia, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and type 2 diabetes.
Delta College has recognized this and is making an effort to become a friendly environment for women who are breastfeeding. One step it has taken is joining the Midland County Breastfeeding Coalition and participating in their Family Friendly Places and Spaces Initiative.
“We want mothers to know that if they bring their babies here to campus, it is our hope that our campus culture is welcoming,” says Amy McPike, Coordinator of Campus Life at Delta College, “And that they are able to feed their babies here on campus and that it is a comfortable environment to do so.”
McPike adds that Delta has always sought to be a welcoming environment for mothers, but now it is making a more public statement of that. This is sending a message to women that if they breastfeed their babies on campus, they won’t be asked to leave or told to stop.
By joining the Midland County Breastfeeding Coalition, Delta has also agreed uphold Michigan’s Breastfeeding Anti-Discrimination Act. This Act prohibits “discriminatory practices, policies, and customs in the exercise of the right to breastfeed; to provide for enforcement of the right to breastfeed; and to provide remedies.”
In an e-mail, Dr. Jean Goodnow states that, “At Delta College we have provided clean, comfortable, and secure places available for nursing mothers.”
McPike says that these locations aren’t the only places mothers can breastfeed their babies or pump; but, for women who feel more comfortable in a private room, they are available. One of these rooms is on the second floor of the F-Wing and is open to students, faculty, staff and any members of the community that may need to use it.
Another room is located in the S-Wing and is strictly for faculty and staff use.
“As a mom,” says McPike, “I think it’s fantastic to know that I work for an employer who respects and values families and is a welcoming environment to anyone in our community who wants to come out and be part of our campus culture.”
