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some of you might know that I'm a facilities manager ... responsible for looking after the buildings of our organisation,
We've just started designing a new building, and I'm planning on giving the architects lots of ideas for lactation rooms. We are designing a building for 1200 staff with 5 office " towers" - each about 5 storeys.
If you were starting from scratch, what would you like to see? I'm thinking that a few small rooms (so people don't have to share) are better than one big one. Then we could maybe have one in each tower. Also ... windows aren't necessary, cos lets face it, we'd probably have to keep curtains or blinds drawn so people can't get in.
A sink will be a given, as will a fridge when we come to fitting it out. What else would you guys like to see if you could have whatever you wanted?
If I could have whatever I wanted . . . I'd want a fridge, a sink with a countertop so you could have one of those drainage things to set your parts on after washing (if you choose to wash before you take the parts home). Paper towels, dishsoap. Locking space so you could store your pump or spare parts in there if necessary - but this would really depend on how many people would need access, you'd probably want people assigned to a specific room and locker space for each person if people had to share rooms.
a comfy chair - something that could be wiped down. a table nearby to set stuff on. Magazines to look at. an alarm clock or timer to set so you don't have to watch the clock - the Freestyle has a timer but I don't think the others do??
A computer would be nice - not necessarily random internet access but be able to log into your own computer from there so you could continue working.
If you had to share the room, those dividing curtains like in hospitals are nice bc you have the choice of whether or not to use them.
I agree with all of the above, especially the dividing curtains, if the rooms will have to be shared. And having personal space/lockers would be great.
I forgot to add . . . separate lighting over each section of dividing curtain - I've had it before where I got stuck in the part that had the least amount or the non-functioning part of continuous overhead lighting so there was little light to see.
Electrical outlets placed so that I don't have to crawl around on the floor to plug in my pump.
Oh yes...that's what I was thinking when I first saw the post, then I forgot what I was going to say! But the room where I pump does not have an electrical outlet, and I have to use batteries.
We have pumping rooms on several of the floors in my 6 story building.
All we have in them is a couch to sit on, a fridge, and a power outlet. There aren't any sinks. That would be nice. I just use my Medela quick clean wipes to get through the day. Our building has WIFI but I don't like lugging my laptop in the rooms along with my big pumping bag but internet access would be nice!
Good luck on the project. They are lucky to have your input!
__________________
Thanks Kristy *Kiliki* for my beautiful siggy!!!
Amy ~ Mom to Twin Girls Addison and Riley 4.26.09
Born at 32w6d weighing 4lbs 6 ounces and 3lbs 12 ounces
Conceived After Clomid & IUI
I think the other ladies have covered a lot of the stuff! I would prefer if our lactation room was not located in the busiest part of the building - right where we meet with key customers etc.
We have a nice leather chair with a small table on either side - which is great - I set my pump on one side and my laptop on the other. I really like being able to keep working while pumping (esp. if I have to tweak a presentation etc.) Some days I feel like I can get more done in the lactation room since there are no interruptions
I just saw this article on CNN.com about how much money breast feeding saves. Maybe you could get a copy of the actual study as part of your justification.
I'm still annoyed that my insurance didn't pay for a lactation consultant... Maybe I should send them this article too.
thanks ladies .... those are great ideas. I hadn't thought about cubicles. Unfortunately we're only in the very early design phase now .... it will be a couple of years before we're ready to buy furniture and do the fit out - but I will document all of this and share it with our Health and Welfare Unit in case I'm no longer around!
