Campus Wellness Center to Provide New Services for Campus Mothers

Thanks to the Department of Health, we are now able to provide an important service to Kauai Community College moms (students, faculty, and staff) that have newborn babies. Due to the high price of baby formula and the belief of added nutritional benefits, more and more mothers are choosing to breastfeed. All mothers and their supportive partners who have gone though this process knows how difficult it is to carry a breast pump and find a private setting that is not contaminated with "cooties" (ie, a public bathroom counter). A breast pump machine is bulky and an inconvenience to carry along with your day to day needs (books, pens, paper, laptop, etc). Carrying and using a breast pump in a public place can also be an embarrassment for some. To combat these issues and help mother's return to school/work we have partnered up with the Department of Health to bring the Medela program to the Campus Wellness Center (CWC). The CWC is now equipped with a breast pump and a private room that moms can use to take care of their baby's needs. The purpose of the Medela program is to:

1. Support a mother who chooses to breastfeed and pump to maintain lactation during separation from their infant during work or school, and
2. Assist an employer or school in providing a friendly breastfeeding environment.

Here are some FAQ's about the program:

How does it work?Sign up for the program either with the Department of Health or come here to the CWC and fill out the forms. You will be given your own breast pump tubing, instructions on how to clean your tubing, and an ice pack. Let us know what time(s) of the day you will need to use the pump so we can reserve the room and pump for you (we only have one pump at this time). You would come to the CWC, check in, and a private room will be provided for you. When you are done, you unplug your tube's and are on your way back to your office or class.

What will I need to bring?
The tubing you receive from the Department of Health or the CWC, your ice pack (we have some here if you need to switch it out), and a small portable cooler (unless you have a access to a refrigerator near your office. The CWC also has a small refrigerator that you can use should you forget to bring your cooler.

Are there income restrictions for the program?NO! Everyone at KCC is eligible to participate in this FREE program. Tubing is FREE. Ice packs are FREE. Use of a private room is FREE. The only thing you will need to purchase is your cooler. There are many light and portable coolers available at Costco, Kmart, Longs, Wal-mart, etc.

How do I sign up or get more information?Visit Krisztina Geczi at the Department of Health or call 245-6776
Visit us here at the CWC, call us at 245-8307, send us an email, or send us a PRIVATE message on Facebook.

Can I leave my tubing at the CWC? It is possible but not recommended. We do have sinks here, but it is recommended that you take your tubing home nightly to sanitize it properly according to your instructions.

Posted by:
Kim O'Brien
Kauai Community College
Campus Wellness Center
Phone: 808-245-8307
Fax: 808-245-8255