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Hector International Airport joins list of breastfeeding friendly airports.

Posted October 3, 2017

Unique partnership secures private and secure space for breastfeeding and pumping women at public places across North Dakota.

A unique partnership between the North Dakota Breastfeeding Coalition (NDBC) with public spaces — including all major North Dakota airports, the FargoDome, and the state’s four zoos — has resulted in the installation of 10 specially designed lactation suites across the state.

Acting on a grant from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH), the NDBC partnered with these public places to install units called “Mamava suites.” These free-standing lactation suites offer a non-bathroom breastfeeding and pumping space that provides privacy, cleanliness, as well as space for a mom, her luggage and additional children that may be with her. Each suite has a fold down table and benches plus AC and USB power outlets.

“Partnering with the breastfeeding coalition created a great opportunity to make air travel more convenient for moms,” said Shawn Dobberstein, Fargo Airport Authority Executive Director.  “Now all five of North Dakota’s airports provide an option for women who need a private, comfortably equipped place to pump while traveling or prefer more privacy while breastfeeding.”

The project was initiated by the NDBC after feedback from mothers who travel and continue to breastfeed, with the original goal to place one Mamava suite in North Dakota by the end of 2017. The momentum and acceptance of the project moved quickly.

“North Dakota is the first state in the nation to have all of the major airports and zoos provide private and secure space for breastfeeding and pumping moms,” stated BriAnna Wanner, NDBC Executive Director.  “Over two million people fly through North Dakota airports, half a million through North Dakota zoos and over a million through the FargoDome on an annual basis. Many of these people are breastfeeding moms. The reach in this project is amazing.”

The North Dakota partners for the project are:

  • Bismarck Airport
  • Dakota Zoo -Bismarck
  • Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport
  • FargoDome
  • Fargo Hector International Airport
  • Red River Zoo- Fargo
  • Grand Forks International Airport
  • Roosevelt Zoo- Minot
  • Minot International Airport
  • Chahinkapa Zoo