Senator Brouk Announces the Opening of a Community Lactation Pod at Lincoln Branch Library in Honor of National Breastfeeding Month, Increasing Maternal Access Spaces for Nursing Mothers

August 14, 2025 (ROCHESTER, NY):  Senator Samra G. Brouk (SD-55) was proud to announce the opening of the new Lactation Pod at Rochester Public Library’s Lincoln Branch earlier today. The pod is located near the Branch’s Toy Library, allowing easy access for nursing mothers to use the station. This lactation pod will be the first available in the Rochester Public Library, and one of the first at a public building in the city. The lactation pod was made possible by a $12,00 grant that was awarded to the Rochester Public Library.

The lactation pod is opening during the heart of local and national celebrations in the month of August, including National Breastfeeding Month (August 1 to 31), World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 to 7) and Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25 to 31).

With increased availability of lactation pods, the Rochester community will have more options that allow mothers and families to safely and privately nurse their babies. The need for public spaces to breastfeed or pump is crucial, with a survey released earlier this year stating that 81% of parents pumped or nursed in their car, and 2 out of 3 people saying that they would be more likely to visit a place that they knew had a lactation space. The CDC states that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants, and can reduce the risk of certain health conditions for both infants and mothers, but only three-quarters (75%) of Black infants are ever breastfed, which is below the national average of 84%.

The opening of the lactation pod marks a significant moment for expanding maternal care spaces in the local community, continuing Senator Brouk’s commitment to increasing access to maternal health care, including the creation of the community doula directory; maternal depression screenings; and sharing resources through her annual community baby shower.

“During National Breastfeeding Month, it is imperative that we find ways to provide community support for mothers. As a champion for maternal health, I was proud to invest in the installation of the first lactation pod in the Rochester Public Library system.” said Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55). This lactation pod in the Lincoln Branch Library invites families with infants by offering a supportive, public space for mothers to safely feed their child. We celebrate this installation as a model for creating inclusive public spaces in Rochester and empowering our working families.”

“Access to a safe, private space for breastfeeding or milk expression is vital for supporting the health and well-being of mothers and their babies,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “That’s why this new lactation pod at the City of Rochester Lincoln Library is such a meaningful addition to our community. Thanks to the leadership and support of Senator Samra Brouk, nursing parents now have a compact, comfortable, and dignified space they can rely on. This is a step forward in making our public spaces more inclusive and supportive for all families.”

"The Rochester Public Library is committed to being a safe and welcoming space that serves families at all stages of life, and the Lincoln Branch Library is proud to house one of, if not the first, public lactation pods in Monroe County," said Rochester and Monroe County Library Director Emily Clasper. "We are grateful to Senator Brouk for investing in this critical asset here at the Toy Library in the Lincoln Branch Library, Senator Brouk has been a fierce advocate for maternal health and wellness, and we at the library join her in that effort. My thanks is also extended to Mayor Evans for his help and support in the project, ensuring that nursing parents have a safe a welcoming space to nourish their children." 

“We know that breastfeeding reduces the risk for chronic diseases, supports infant immune health, and strengthens the bond between parent and child. But we also know that not everyone has the same access to safe and private spaces to nurse or pump—especially Black women, who continue to face the highest barriers and disparities in maternal health, including the highest maternal and infant mortality rates,” said Jacqueline Lindsey, Chief Program Officer of the Healthy Baby Network. “By placing a lactation pod in a public, accessible space like our library, we’re sending a clear message: breastfeeding is not a privilege—it’s a right, and it deserves to be supported and respected in every community space.”

“At 211/LIFE LINE, a program of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, we understand how vital it is for individuals to access the resources they need quickly and easily,” said Jennifer Lake, President & CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes. “With the launch of the new maternal and child health resource tool, we're helping bridge the gap between need and access—connecting individuals to vital services such as prenatal care, postpartum wellness, mental health support, early childhood education, and parenting resources. This is just one of the many ways 211 continues to connect, support, and uplift our community.”

“This lactation pod is more than a piece of equipment—it’s a statement. It tells parents their needs are valid, their health is valued, and their children’s well-being matters to this community,” said Dr. LeKeyah Wilson, Vice President for Community Engagement and Social Impact at Rochester Regional Health. “Senator Brouk’s leadership is making it possible for families to feed their children with dignity, wherever they are—and it’s the kind of action that moves us toward a future where care is truly accessible, equitable, and rooted in the communities we serve.”

"Creating welcoming, accessible spaces for breastfeeding and lactation in the community is essential to supporting families in their feeding goals,” said Casey Rosen-Carole, MD, chief of the Division of Breastfeeding and Lactation at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “This new area at the Lincoln Branch Library sends a powerful message: that parents are valued, their needs matter, and they belong here. As a city with a long history of leadership in breastfeeding support, Rochester continues to show how communities can help parents thrive."