Support tent for nursing mothers moves inside Jordan-Hare Stadium this season

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A partnership between the Auburn University School of Nursing, Lactation Services at East Alabama Medical Center and Auburn Athletics has resulted in the availability of a support tent for new moms and their babies inside Jordan-Hare Stadium this football season.

The Tiger Babies breastfeeding support tent started last season, but was only accessible before two home games from the lawn in front of Miller Hall, the home for the School of Nursing.

By moving inside the stadium – at Gate 0/1 – support services for nursing mothers are available before, as well as during all home games. The tent will open three hours prior to kickoff of each game.

Nursing's assistant clinical professors Ann Lambert and Laurie Harris developed the support tent after talking with several women who reported they had few safe, clean and private options when they had to breastfeed at a game.

"It is a dream come true to see Tiger Babies locations in Jordan-Hare, as well as throughout campus," said Harris. "We are thrilled to be able to provide families with these locations and to continue to promote a family friendly gameday experience for all."

The tent provides women a clean, private area to nurse or pump. It features rocking chairs, changing stations, and fans or heaters, depending on the weather.

Additionally, a privacy station and changing table will be available at the first aid station of the north entrance of Auburn Arena, as well as on the Section 46 concourse, the west side of the press box level by the north elevator, the east upper deck by Section 103 and the east club level by the concession stand. Each of these stations will be identified with a "Tiger Babies" logo on the door.

Sara Caldwell said using the Tiger Babies tent last year allowed her "to enjoy the day and not stress about when, where and how I would breastfeed."

Morgan Yordy said the tent alleviated a lot of her stress last year. While she used it to nurse her newborn, nursing students played with her sons.

"My boys didn't realize they were missing out on other tailgating experiences because the nursing students entertained them in a safe environment while I was able to breastfeed," Yordy said.

Nursing faculty, EAMC lactation consultants and nursing students will staff the support areas to provide assistance and educational materials to new mothers.

Benefits of breastfeeding include aiding the new mom in returning to her pre-pregnancy weight, helping with bonding and attachment between mom and baby, offering greater convenience and affordability, and avoiding heightened chances for health issues as a result of greater immunity from mom's breast milk.

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