The Farmington district has created mothers' rooms at each of its nine school buildings so new moms have a comfortable, private place to pump breast milk during the day.

About 20 to 25 district employees give birth each year. Previously, new moms had to lock their classrooms to pump milk or find another discreet place to do it, employees said.

"It's given me the opportunity to continue nursing my son throughout this year," said Jackie Brand, a counselor at Meadowview Elementary whose son is 10 months old. "Without this space – and the time and the support – it wouldn't have been possible."

The rooms, mostly repurposed storage spaces, were made possible by a $2,000 grant from the State Health Improvement Program (SHIP), said Maryann Thomas, human resources director and a member of the district's Wellness Committee.

Grant money provided a chair, table, small sink, refrigerator, clock and mirror in each room, though existing furniture was used if possible, Thomas said.

The district has received SHIP grants in the past, but chose to create the mothers' rooms because it was an area that hadn't been addressed before.

The rooms are an extension of the district's commitment to kids, Thomas said.

"Now we [take care of] them from birth to grade 12, instead of preschool to grade 12," Thomas said.