PANAMA CITY, Fla. –
Nursing mothers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) now have more nursing facilities with the installation of three new nursing pods.
NSWC PCD’s Lean In Circle group recognized the need for better facilities for nursing mothers. After proposing the idea to the Command’s senior leadership, Mamava nursing pods were ordered and installed in December 2018. The pods are located in the first floor of buildings 110, 490, and 581.
Lean In Circles are designed to provide a safe environment for employees to discuss issues from work-life balance to career progression and to provide encouragement and empowerment to members. Lean In Circles have proven beneficial throughout the Naval Sea Systems Command workforce and are endorsed by the Secretary of Defense as a way to promote growth and diversity within the organization.
NSWC PCD plans to further expand nursing facilities to support our workforce. In fact, all of the new buildings within the Hurricane Michael reconstitution plan will have dedicated spaces for nursing.
“The Mamava’s are in a nice, convenient location that provide privacy for pumping,” said Sunny Barton, NSWC PCD scientist. “I am glad to have someplace to pump while at work so I can provide the benefits of breastmilk for my son even if I can’t breastfeed him directly during the day while at work.”
All Mamava nursing pods currently have power outlets and white noise machines. The noise machines are for noise reduction creating a more comfortable environment while nursing. Additionally, Mamava nursing pods provide a workspace to enable productivity while nursing. NSWC PCD’s Facilities division is working to install refrigerators in the pods as well.
The NSWC PCD is sharing best practices and lessons learned with other Warfare Centers as an example of high velocity learning, to expedite their efforts to procure and install nursing pods for their employees in support of diversity and inclusion in the workforce.
Leadership at NSWC PCD encourages employees to share feedback, requests, and other new ideas, as was the case when the need was presented for more nursing pods. Other ideas and feedback can be submitted to the CO/TD suggestion boxes or via Lean In Circle Champions Robbie Kurth and Carmelita Martin.
“With the rollout of our new Strategic Campaign Plan, one of our key objectives is to become the Employer of Choice,” said Lisa Tindell, NSWC PCD deputy technical director of operations. “Providing additional nursing facilities for our working moms is a step towards that goal. There are many other opportunities for improvement and I encourage the workforce to continue their feedback.”
The Facilities division at NSWC PCD is highly involved and interested in feedback for improvements. If you have ideas for other nursing areas or improving nursing facilities at our Command, please do not hesitate to contact the Facilities team at: NSWCPCD_Facility_Dsk.fct@navy.mil
A Wiki page has been created on iNFUSION with more information on nursing facilities at the installation and can be found at: https://wiki.navsea.navy.mil/display/NINF/NSWC+PCD