Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) is proud to launch a partnership with Mamava of Burlington, Vt. that will support breastfeeding moms while they shop. The modular suite will also serve to support employees at University Mall, located on Dorset Street in South Burlington. “Mamava suites are private places for moms to pump breastmilk or feed their babies,” says Sara Korrow, RN, BSN, who is clinical operations manager for the integrated health team at BCBSVT and the BCBSVT Better Beginnings program for expectant parents. “We believe that this fixture will provide breastfeeding, on-the- go moms with efficient ways to get the important nutrients of breastmilk to their babies.”
Korrow emphasizes the health impacts of breastfeeding. “The Vermont Department of Health and other experts agree that breastfeeding offers advantages for babies that cannot be matched by any other form of feeding,” she relates. “The benefits of breastfeeding begin from the first moments after a baby’s birth and last for many years. Breastfeeding can be good for moms, too. Breastfeeding helps women lose extra pregnancy weight after giving birth and lessens their risk of getting breast and ovarian cancer later in life.” Still, Korrow acknowledges that breastfeeding does come with challenges, especially for women who want to continue after returning to work. “We think Mamava can particularly help women working outside the home, who want to pump breastmilk to feed their babies. The suite in University Mall includes access to electricity for use with breast pumps and it’s close to water supplies for rinsing equipment,” she notes.
Korrow stresses that the purpose of Mamava is not to dissuade women from breastfeeding in public. “We completely support a woman’s right to feed her baby anywhere and, in fact, Vermont law protects that right,” she says. “Mamava is about providing alternatives.” BCBSVT and Mamava will celebrate the launch of the suite with workshops, tastings and other fun events from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, September 12. “We’ll have lactation consultants and other experts on hand to give tips for easy, successful breastfeeding, as well as yoga instruction from Donna Anfuso of Evolution Prenatal and Family Yoga Center. We’ll mix in foodie breaks, giveaways and chances to win bigger prizes,” Korrow relates. She shared that University of Vermont Medical Center nurse practitioner and author of Working Without Weaning: A working mother’s guide to breastfeeding, Kirsten Berggren, will speak on the topic of her book and that Emily Piazza, nutritionist and breastfeeding mom, will also give a workshop. Healthy Living and other local organizations will provide snacks and giveaways. Korrow shares, “All breastfeeding or expectant mamas and their guests, including children are welcome.”
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state’s oldest and largest health insurer, providing coverage for about 250,000 Vermonters. It employs about 400 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin and its Information and Wellness Center in South Burlington’s Blue Mall, and offers group and individual health plans. More information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available at www.bcbsvt.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
Mamava, based in Burlington, VT, was incubated at Solidarity of Unbridled Labour (formerly JDK Design), a world-renowned design studio. Mamava creates design solutions for nursing mothers on the go. Mamava is mama-owned, made in America and a proud member of the B Corp community. The free Mamava app for iPhone and Android (coming soon!) allows moms on the go to search for pumping and breastfeeding-friendly locations. FMI, please visit www.mamava.com.