Mount Nittany Health is pleased to announce the creation of a nursing and lactation space at the Centre County Grange Fair Campgrounds, which will be available to use during the upcoming Grange Fair. The new building is designed to be a comfortable and relaxing space where babies can be fed.

Alexandra Strouse, RN, BSN, CLC, CBS, Mother and Baby Unit, Mount Nittany Health, who provides lactation services to postpartum parents saw the need for a designated and private space for parents and babies. “I attend the Grange Fair every year with my family, and I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to offer a space where parents could go to feed and change their babies and take a moment to rest.”

The standalone building includes air conditioning, chairs, and outlets that can also be used by mothers who need to pump or prepare bottles for their babies.

“Too often breastfeeding mothers will feel as if they need to miss family events like the Grange Fair in order to accommodate their baby’s feeding schedule,” said Strouse. “It’s important for new parents to get out and be social. And even with breastfeeding covers that many women use in public, babies may be unhappy about the different environment and not eat properly.”

The space is now permanently part of the Campgrounds and will be located near the playground. It’s free to use for those attending the Grange Fair.

“It’s important to me that the space is welcoming for all; I don’t want anyone to feel shame for breastfeeding in public or that they are bottle feeding, instead of breastfeeding. No matter how your journey has come about, feeding your baby is important, and every baby that is being fed is welcome to use this space.”

Earlier this year Mount Nittany Health sponsored the creation of a nursing and lactation space in downtown State College, Pa. in the Schlow Library. Mount Nittany Health is proud to have a team of dedicated lactation consultants and a private lactation consultant area in the Joseph V. and Suzanne P. Paterno Women and Children’s Services Unit. More information is available at mountnittany.org/maternity.