Wabash, Ind. – July 16, 2018 – “Hey moms! Meet our new lactation pod,” exclaims Ashli Pershing, BSN, RN, CLC, birth planner/lactation consultant, Parkview Wabash Hospital. This pod will be at the 4-H fair this week and have a permanent location at every First Friday in front of the Wabash County Historical Museum (or inside the museum pending weather). It will be popping up all over the county at different community events to help families maintain comfort and privacy in their feeding initiatives.
Breastfeeding is a great way to give your baby a healthy start in life, and although it is normal and natural, it’s not always easy. Mothers who nurse their babies in public often experience negative reactions from others, and many mothers feel uncomfortable feeding their babies outside of their home.
Parkview Health knows that for those who breastfeed, it is a natural part of motherhood. In support of moms, Pershing sought out a solution to support mothers out in the community. A mom herself, she understood the importance of having a private space that is comfortable for all.
“I want this to be very comfortable for mothers. I had a mom ask if she has to breastfeed in there and I told her absolutely not. She can pump, bottle feed her child, clean up the child, or, if a child has autism, it can be a great space to help them desensitize. It can be used any way to help mothers and families,” Pershing explained.
With the new Wabash Hospital providing OB services, this is the first time in 14 years babies have been delivered in Wabash County . The facility is also lending support to many family-friendly activities and events in Wabash County.
At these events, such as the 4-H fair, mothers now have access to a portable, free-standing breastfeeding pod. The pod is hard to miss, with bright Parkview green and the words, “I’m a Parkview mom.” It’s designed to be comfortable and relaxing for mothers with magnetized closures featuring a “vacant” or “occupied” sign and plenty of space for bags and strollers.