Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) partnered with Mamava of Burlington, Vt. to support breastfeeding moms who shop and work at the University Mall. On September 12 the two companies held a successful launch event to unveil the University Mall’s first Mamava suite, a modular suite designed to offer a quiet and clean space to pump or breastfeed.
A group of BCBSVT and Mamava staff – Top row, left to right: Catherine Hamilton, VP Consumer Services and Strategic Planning BCBSVT; Allyson Bartlett, Communications and Brand Strategist BCBSVT; Brittany Nunnick, Marketing Manager Mamava; Megan Peek, Community Relations and Health Education Manager BCBSVT; Beth Esmond, Dir. Communications and Brand Strategy BCBSVT; Sara Korrow, Clinical Operations Manager BCBSVT. Front row, left to right: Nikkie Kent, Executive Vice President Mamava; Janet Stambolian, Sales Mamava; Sascha Mayer, CEO & Co-Founder Mamava.
ore than 50 people ranging from lactation consultants to expectant moms gathered at the University Mall to take a look at the new Mamava suite. Participants enjoyed yoga and healthy food samples for moms and babies. Experts led mini-workshops in nutrition and pumping for working moms. Kirsten Berggren, a nurse practitioner and author of “Working without Weaning: A working mother’s guide to breastfeeding,” provided useful tips to breastfeed successfully through various challenges.
“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.”
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.
Source: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont