Researchers Maike Hentges and Eva Pilot interviewed thirteen new mothers who work at universities in the Netherlands for their study. Most of them mainly had negative experiences when it comes to expressing milk at work. Usually, there are no (or not enough) rooms where this can be done, no facilities to clean themselves and their appliances, and there is often too little privacy, said the mothers involved in the research. In addition, the spaces are frequently cold and not very cosy, making it difficult for women to relax during the process.
This requires more work, the researchers concluded. Not just with regard to facilities; the subject needs to be discussed more on the work floor, which is generally dominated by men. Many mothers experienced discomfort while trying to talk about it. Some even stopped breastfeeding for this reason.
At the UM too, the spaces where one can express milk are not what they should be, says Constance Sommerey, director of the Diversity & Inclusivity Office. There is a total of nine. “Those spaces at UNS50 and Grote Gracht, for example, are almost as we want,” she says. “A room that can be locked, with a bed or a sofa, a window for some daylight, a socket for appliances, a sink and a refrigerator.” For the other rooms, an inventory has been made of what still needs to be done and there is even an overview of the costs involved. “But because of COVID-19, everything came to a standstill,” says Sommerey. As soon as things have settled again, it will be picked up.