A Dignified Space for Working Mothers: The Nairobi City Hall Annex Lactation Room
The majority of mothers returning to work after childbirth often face a difficult choice to make between continuing breastfeeding and meeting professional responsibilities. Despite the growing number of women in the workforce, many workplaces still lack the infrastructure needed to support breastfeeding mothers. Without dedicated lactation spaces, these working and lactating mothers are often left to use uncomfortable, unsuitable alternatives when they need to nurse or express milk during work hours. Many have no choice but to retreat to toilets, storage rooms, quiet corners behind buildings, cramped offices, or meeting rooms, facing interruptions and often compromising hygiene, privacy, and their own peace of mind.
Recognizing this need, the lactation room at the Nairobi City Hall Annex Customer Service Centre has been proudly refurbished, providing a dedicated, dignified space for breastfeeding and expressing mothers within the public service environment and for mothers visiting the center for services.
The refurbishment of the lactation room was made possible through the collaboration between Wow Mom Kenya and the Nairobi City County Government and launched by Geoffrey Mosiria, the Chief Officer for Customer Service and Public Participation, marking an important milestone in strengthening family-friendly services within the city and a partnership that reflects a shared vision: creating public spaces that are not only efficient and accessible, but also responsive to the real needs of families.
Developed in alignment with the Health Act 2017 and the proposed Breastfeeding Mothers Bill, 2024, the space includes essential amenities designed to make breastfeeding or expressing milk both practical and dignified:
- A baby changing station for convenient infant care, for diaper changing and disposal
- Privacy panels with comfortable seating
- A sink with clean running water to support hygiene
- Reliable electricity supply to power breast pumps
- A refrigerator for safe storage of expressed breast milk
Why This Solution Matters
Breastfeeding is widely recognized as one of the most important foundations for a child’s early development. According to the World Health Organization, breastmilk provides the ideal nutrition for infants, containing the exact balance of nutrients, antibodies, and protective factors needed to support healthy growth and strengthen immunity. For babies, breastfeeding helps protect against infections and illnesses while supporting brain development and overall well-being.
However, many lactating mothers are often forced to stop breastfeeding earlier than planned due to unsupportive workplace environments. Investing in breastfeeding-friendly infrastructure directly addresses this challenge by removing one of the most common barriers faced when returning to work. When workplaces provide private, clean, and comfortable spaces, they enable mothers to breastfeed or express milk safely and with dignity throughout the workday, supporting both maternal well-being and child health while strengthening workforce retention.
The Impact for Mothers, Families, and Workplaces
For mothers, the space offers peace of mind, allowing them to care for their babies without compromising their work, which in turn contributes to healthier children. For institutions, it demonstrates a commitment to inclusive and family-friendly environments that value both productivity and well-being.
At Wow Mom Kenya, supporting working mothers is seen not as a workplace perk but as essential infrastructure. When the right spaces and systems are in place, mothers can thrive professionally while continuing to provide the care their children need.
The lactation room at City Hall Annex, therefore, represents a meaningful step toward building a city where workplaces recognize and support the realities of working families, creating an environment where both mothers and children can flourish.