Amtrak is adding Mamava’s private lactation pods to five of its major train stations after two mothers successfully petitioned for such spaces. Lacey Kohlmoos and Samantha Matlin from Philadelphia started the Care2 online petitions, specifically calling for “clean, safe” lactation spaces at the 30th Street Station in Philly and the Union Station in New York City.
The call-to-action came after Kohlmoos was reminded of a memory during National Breastfeeding Month of when she traveled between the two stations and failed to find a comfortable room to pump. She ended up pumping in a Starbucks bathroom, where she was humiliated after being repeatedly interrupted by knocking customers.
Kohlmoos and Matlin’s petitions gathered more than 64,000 signatures, and Care2 says its members sent Amtrak over 50,000 emails calling for action.
Now, Amtrak is installing Mamava lactation rooms at the stations in Washington DC., Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago and New York City. The project should be completed by the fall, according to Kohlmoos.Read the full press piece here: Five Amtrak Train Stations Getting Nursing Pods