Letter: UNM mothers need place to breastfeed on campus

Editor,

I became a new mom last March. Having a daughter has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

There are hundreds of mothers here on campus with infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least the first year. I decided to breastfeed because I want to give my daughter the best nutrition possible, and because it is only natural for a mother to breastfeed her child.

I've been breastfeeding successfully for the past five months, but since classes started, I never thought it would be so difficult. I have to pump every 3 to 5 hours to keep my milk supply up, and I'm on campus for 10 hours twice a week. I've found that the only resource this campus provides for breastfeeding mothers is an unsanitary stall in a public restroom.

I am not only uncomfortable pumping in the restrooms, but I also have considered weaning my baby early and giving her formula. I decided not to wean, because her nutrition should not be compromised just because of my situation here on campus. But many women decide not to breastfeed because their school or job do not provide lactation services.

I urge the University to consider starting a lactation program for breastfeeding students or at least putting a small room with a lock aside where a woman can pump comfortably for her child.

Raquel Cordova

UNM student