EdCC opens lactation room

Edmonds Community College first opened its doors in 1967. But it wasn’t until a month ago that student moms had an on-campus lactation room.

“I can see being a mom, student and worker why it’s so important we have that support,” said Jennifer Delia, 28, whose son, Corban, was born in June.

“You should never make a mom choose between her child and education,” she said. “That should go hand in hand.”

The issue of designating a lactation room was first raised last year by fellow student Kristina Madden. She asked for help from the college’s student government board. Delia is one of its members.

At universities, it’s not uncommon to have multiple lactation rooms, Delia said. The University of Washington has at least 15, she said.

“At a community college, you would think it would be obvious,” she said. Yet space is at a premium. “I learned space is very valuable,” she said. “It’s really hard to find a single-purpose, designated space.”

The issue took on new meaning for Delia when she learned she was pregnant with her first child not long after the request for the lactation room was made.

A former study room was identified as a possible location. Delia was in attendance at the year’s last meeting of the student governing board in June, where the lactation room was approved. It was just days before her son was born June 20.

Over the summer, she worked with community volunteers to get the room ready. It was repainted. A couch, rocking chair and refrigerator were added. A breast pump was located.

Delia considers it one of the best lactation rooms around, though it was outfitted on an Ikea budget. “Ours really gives a sense of calming and a private place for moms to feed their babies or if they need to pump to do it without the fear of being exposed,” she said.

The room opened last month as a pilot project. The student government group will decide by June whether it should continue.

The opening of the new lactation center will also be celebrated during a breastfeeding information and education event, called Latch On To Your Community. It’s scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 28 in the college’s Triton Student Center, Brier Hall.

The Everett Community College doesn’t have a dedicated lactation room but is searching for a location, said Katherine Schiffner, a college spokeswoman. However, students and employees can use rooms in Olympus or Rainier halls, she said.

“As a breastfeeding mom, I know that it can be challenging to find a place to breastfeed or pump,” she said. “I would not have anticipated how hard this is. Yes, it’s an issue.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com

If you go

“Latch on to Your Community,” an informational event to promote breastfeeding, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 28 at Edmonds Community College’s Triton Student Center, Brier Hall. The event is free and open to the public. It will include speakers and information tables.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Everett
11 months later, Lake Stevens man charged in fatal Casino Road shooting

Malik Fulson is accused of shooting Joseph Haderlie to death in the parking lot at the Crystal Springs Apartments last April.

T.J. Peters testifies during the murder trial of Alan Dean at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bothell cold case trial now in jury’s hands

In court this week, the ex-boyfriend of Melissa Lee denied any role in her death. The defendant, Alan Dean, didn’t testify.

A speed camera facing west along 220th Street Southwest on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Washington law will allow traffic cams on more city, county roads

The move, led by a Snohomish County Democrat, comes as roadway deaths in the state have hit historic highs.

Mrs. Hildenbrand runs through a spelling exercise with her first grade class on the classroom’s Boxlight interactive display board funded by a pervious tech levy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lakewood School District’s new levy pitch: This time, it won’t raise taxes

After two levies failed, the district went back to the drawing board, with one levy that would increase taxes and another that would not.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.