How many of you have been traveling, whether with little ones or not, and needed to nurse or pump with nowhere to go? I speak from experience as I had just come back from maternity leave with baby number two and had to travel for business. I was in a Midwest airport with nowhere to pump in private so I occupied a family restroom and pumped away. Not an ideal situation but it got the job done.
When Charlotte Douglas International Airport invited us to visit their new Mother’s Room, I was super excited. I’m no longer a nursing mama, but I’m relieved for all other Smarty moms traveling that are in need of a private space to nurse or pump.
This newly converted break room features two super comfy rocking chairs, each with their own privacy curtain. Behind each chair is a dedicated outlet, allowing those pumping moms a dedicated and private space to pump.
There is a colorful and playful mural on the wall and the furniture selections are vibrant, too – making you feel like you are in a nursery and not in a hustling and bustling airport.
Also in the room is a counter with a new changing station, because let’s be honest, when you feed – they poop. It’s just is part of the deal. The changing station is close to the trash receptacle, sink and paper towels, which is great for convenience.
The Mother’s Room is open and available to traveling guests and airport employees 24-hours a day and is easily accessible in the upper level of the atrium via stairs or elevator near concourses A and D. There is clear signage in the airport guiding you to the room and the door is clearly marked that it is the Mother’s Room and not to be mistaken with another space.
Could this get any better? Sign their guestbook and they’ll send you a sweet thank you. Also, there are plans to add another Mother’s Room during the terminal expansion, giving more mamas the dedicated and private spaces they need to care for their little ones.
Click here to learn more about the new Mother’s Room.
Happy traveling, Smarties!
Photo credit: Rob McKenzie
6 comments
This is great! So many airports have nothing that supports nursing mothers. All moms with infants need private space. And moms that do not have an infant with them! Pumping when traveling for work is so hard at airports. I will never forget the two sweet old men at the Richmond airport hospitality desk that tried to locate a private space for pumping. One said his daughter breastfeeds and he wanted to help and the other says it’s a crying shame our culture doesn’t do more to make it easier.
Wow! Rob McKenzie is one of the managers in my department and told me about this blog! I work at the CLT airport and I fought so hard to get this room after returning from maternity leave this summer. I am so happy that this room has reached and helped so many women! Thank you for your blog and for bringing awareness to our new Mother’s Room at the Charlotte airport!
Thanks Briana! I know from experience it makes a big difference as a working mom to have this at work! Pump on, sister!
Briana McNeil was the complete driving force behind this amazing room for moms at the Charlotte Airport. Great article, but in your next blog please mention the mom that made it happen!
Way to go Briana! Smarty mom for sure!
Awesome! I was so disappointed when I saw the lactation sign and found it led to a bench in the middle of the women’s restroom. This was needed. Thank you Briana!