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Mothers’ Lounges Open for Nursing Moms and Babies
Roper St. Francis Partners with Area Belk Stores To Meet Community Need
November 16 , 2005
Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Belk today announced the opening of the Mother’s Lounge, a community initiative that provides nursing mothers with special private areas to feed their babies at all four area Belk stores.
The Mothers’ Lounges came about as the direct result of recent media attention that brought to light the difficulty nursing mothers experience while out shopping or in other public areas, according to Linda Schofield, RN, Clinical Director of Roper St. Francis Women’s, Infants and Children’s Services. “Our President and CEO asked that we take the lead in finding a solution to this problem,” Schofield said. “After studying a number of possibilities, it was obvious that a department store would provide the most suitable location. We then approached representatives at Belk. They were extremely receptive and got the ball rolling.”
“We are pleased to partner with Belk stores to respond to this important community need,“ said David L. Dunlap, Roper St. Francis Healthcare President and CEO. “The new Mothers’ Lounges will give nursing mothers a private place to feed their babies while they’re out shopping or running errands at the larger malls and shopping centers in the greater Charleston area.” Belk stores are located in Citadel and Northwoods Malls, Summerville, and Mount Pleasant Towne Center
“We enthusiastically join Roper St. Francis Healthcare in supporting women who are breastfeeding their babies,” added Susan O’Rourke, Belk Citadel Mall and Regional Manager. “The Mothers’ Lounges are designed to provide a comfortable, clean, and quiet place that’s specially equipped with comfortable rocking chairs, children’s books for older siblings, and literature on breastfeeding.”.
The Mother’s Lounge officially opened with a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16 at Belk’s Citadel Mall store. Among those present for the ribbon cutting were: Dunlap; O’Rourke; Schofield; Belk Store Managers Kellie Henderson (Towne Center), Robert Burn (Northwoods Mall) and Angela Evans Gervais (Summerville); Roper St. Francis Certified Lactation Consultants; and several nursing moms and babies.
With expert advice from Roper St. Francis Women’s, Infants and Children’s Services, Belk has redesigned larger dressing rooms to create Mother’s Lounges. Locations in each store are:
- Citadel Mall – Liz Claiborne Dressing Rooms
- Town Center – Intimate Apparel Fitting Room
- Northwoods – Girls (7-16) Fitting Room
- Summerville – Children’s Fitting Room
According to Belk’s O’Rourke, nursing mothers have traditionally been welcomed to feed their babies while in the department store. “Opening the Mothers’ Lounges is our official stamp of support,” she stated.
There are many short- and long-term benefits to breastfeeding, according to the National Women’s Health Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Studies on the benefits of breast milk have shown positive results for babies, parents, the community and employers.
Additional information may be found at the website, www.womenshealth.gov.
Information on Roper St. Francis Women’s, Infants and Children’s Services may be found on the healthcare organization’s website, www.ropersaintfrancis.com, or by calling 843-402-CARE (2273).
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