This winter, Carnegie Museum of Natural History installed a private, quiet, and comfortable space for mothers to breastfeed their babies in the museum. With cozy chairs and colorful animal pillows, the space was quickly a well-utilized space for families that was warmly received.
Mothers are welcome to feed, nurse, and care for their children anywhere in the museum, but we felt a private space makes families comfortable and the museum feel more inclusive.
This month, Allegheny County Health Department announced that the museum was among two public places in the Pittsburgh Region that was recognized with a 2016 Breastfeeding Friendly Place Award.
The county’s Breastfeeding Friendly Place Awards recognize workplaces, public places and other sites away from the home that make an extra effort to accommodate breastfeeding mothers.
“It’s important for us to connect to the community,” Museum Director Eric Dorfman said. “Having this sort of space here means that we’re connecting with the community of our visitors and staff by offering them a safe and inviting environment.”
Exhibitions Director Becca Shreckengast said all our guests should feel welcome and comfortable.
“In our signage we invite parents to take care of their children all throughout the museum,” Shreckengast said. “We want to be as welcoming as inviting to parents with young children as possible.”
