Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito today announced the installation of a private lactation pod on the Empire State Plaza concourse for nursing mothers to use while breastfeeding or pumping. The 60-square foot, ADA-compliant pod has comfortable bench seating, electrical outlets and can be accessed using a four-digit code that is generated by the Mamava mobile app.  It is located on the concourse outside the Plaza Operations office in the hallway between Agency Building 1 and the Corning Tower.

“Mothers who are nursing will now have access to a clean, private, and safe space for pumping and breastfeeding at the Plaza,” RoAnn M. Destito, Commissioner of the New York State Office of General Services said. “There are many mothers and babies among the thousands of people who visit the Empire State Plaza each year for business, events, tours, concerts and more. I hope that the addition of the lactation pod will enhance the visitor experience for parents and families.”

“Supporting breastfeeding is a major public health priority, with clear and proven benefits for both mother and child,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.  “We all share a responsibility to better support breastfeeding families in the hospital, at home, work and in the community. Lactation pods are an important step in that direction.”

As part of the Women’s Agenda, Governor Cuomo has built a strong foundation supporting families including the nation’s strongest family leave policy.  In 2019, he announced the passage of legislation to ensure equal access to diaper changing stations and to provide lactation rooms in state buildings that are open to public.  

The U.S. Surgeon General and most experts recommend that babies be fed only human breast milk for the first six months and continue to be fed breast milk until one year of age, or longer, as complementary foods are introduced.  In New York, 84% of women initiate breastfeeding, but only 20% of infants are exclusively fed breast milk at six months.