WNBA Star Breanna Stewart Creates Safe Lactation Space for Fans

As women continue to fight for equity and inclusion in sports, Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart has committed to taking up the fight for her fans. The two-time WNBA champion and new mom recently joined forces with Mamva to bring a newly designed private lactation space to her home court in hopes of empowering women everywhere.

Sports arenas have ignored the need for private lactation spaces for far too long. Crowded arena bathrooms and loud stadiums are hardly the ideal places to breastfeed or pump. A lack of space and support keeps hundreds of sports fans at home and puts staff members in a difficult position.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Stewart envisions a future where sports fans, staff and families can feel supported and emboldened to go to the games they love without fear of being judged or not having a safe place to breastfeed or pump.

Mamava pods, designed specifically to meet the needs of breastfeeding and chestfeeding people, provide a comfortable and private place to pump or feed. The installment at the Climate Pledge Arena is one of the first pods located in a sports arena and signals the beginning of what Stewart hopes to be a growing trend.

“In partnering with Mamava, I hope to raise awareness and hopefully provide a spark throughout the sports industry to center not just the athletes, but also the staff that supports us and the fans and families who come to celebrate us. Mamava pods will help make more people feel welcome and I’m proud to be a part of that movement,” Stewart said in a press release.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist’s, wife Marta Xargay Casademont, daughter Ruby and the whole Seattle Storm WNBA "stands with [Stewart] in encouraging others to consider and advocate for the needs of parents and families in all aspects of society,” said Seattle Storm President Alisha Valavanis.

The introduction of the Climate Pledge Arena’s Mamava pod comes during National Breastfeeding Month as many turn their attention to the different ways we can come together to support breastfeeding parents. Sascha Mayer, co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of Mamava, emphasizes the need to do more to help families.

“Recent failures to improve support for parents—like the failure of the Senate to pass the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act and the ongoing formula shortage—prove that we can’t rely on status quo structures in government and business. It’s going to take strong individuals to lead the way and make the changes we need. By raising her voice to bring lactation spaces to more public places, Breanna Stewart is a true champion for families,” said Mayer.

If you are interested in joining the fight in support of safe, private lactation spaces, head to Mamava’s Breastfeeding Advocacy page where you can learn more about your state’s lactation laws and how to advocate for a Mamava pod in your workplace. You can also explore these five easy ways to support breastfeeding parents during National Breastfeeding Month and year-round.