Sanford Bismarck installs breastfeeding pods in hospital

Nursing suites have benches, fold-down tables, electrical outlets for breast pumps

Sanford Bismarck installs breastfeeding pods in hospital

Sanford Health is taking steps to provide additional support to breastfeeding mothers by adding Mamava nursing pods to the Sanford Medical Center – Bismarck in North Dakota.

Two nursing suites will be located on the Skywalk bridge off of the Seventh and Rosser clinic, while the third suite will be located on the fourth floor of the Medical Center.

“We recognize the need to provide a clean, private space for our employees and those who are visiting to breastfeed or pump,” said Maggie Seamands, executive director of women’s inpatient services. “We are so excited to support new mothers with a distraction-free suite that can be accessed 24/7.”

The suites, acquired through the Sanford Health Foundation, were created by Mamava, a company dedicated to transforming the culture of breastfeeding by making it easier for mothers.

“Our generous donors through the Sanford Health Foundation deserve all the credit for making these new pods possible,” said Sara Haugen, executive director of the Sanford Health Foundation in Bismarck. “Time and again, their philanthropy helps us go above and beyond for our patients, Sanford Family and communities.”

In 2020, the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, with the help of Sanford Health, installed nursing suites at the PREMIER Center and Convention Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

One nursing suite is located in the PREMIER Center while a second suite is placed in the Convention Center. The suites are portable, and their location will be adjusted as event demands require.

What’s inside a nursing suite?

The Mamava suites are a self-contained, mobile pod with comfortable benches, a fold-down table, an electrical outlet for plugging in a breast pump and a door that can be locked for privacy. The 4-by-8-foot pod is meant for individual use but can fit more than one person, such as mothers with babies and other children in tow.

“We’re thrilled to support breastfeeding mamas at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center,” said Sascha Mayer, co-founder and CEO of Mamava. “We believe that all mamas deserve a clean, comfortable and dignified place to use a breast pump or breastfeed distraction-free — anywhere, anytime. Mamava pods provide flexibility for facilities and easy access for moms.”

Breastfeeding mothers can check availability of the suites by installing the Mamava app. The app shows users where the suites are located and unlocks the pod using bluetooth technology or a code they can enter on the keypad.

Learn more

Posted In Bismarck, Children's, Community, Foundation, News, Sioux Falls, Women's