JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville International Airport has installed a privacy booth for traveling mothers who want privacy while nursing.
"We believe this is a real nice option for traveling moms to either nurse their babies or to pump while they are traveling," said Debbie Jones, community relations administrator for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
IMAGES: Nursing mothers' suite
Jones said the airport expects the room, called the Lactation Suite, to get a lot of use in the coming months. Only 8 percent of airports across the nation provide a room exclusive to nursing moms.
"As the holiday season ramps up, we expect as mothers find out about it, that this might be an option for nursing or pumping that they would prefer to use," Jones said.
The booth is in a centralized area past security and in between the two concourses for easy access. The room also allows mothers to lock the door when they're inside.
"We regularly receive inquiries from mothers looking for a private, clean and convenient facility at the airport to pump or nurse," said JAA Customer Service Manager Bryan Long. "We are happy to accommodate their needs with this family-friendly solution."
Jones said mothers are free to breast feed or pump wherever they please. She said the suite is just another alternative.