Nursing moms visiting the Children’s Hospital of Georgia can now use a freestanding lactation pod to conveniently, privately and safely pump breast milk or nurse their babies.

Children’s has installed the area’s first Mamava suite, a mobile pod equipped with cushioned benches, a fold-down table, an electrical outlet for plugging in a breast pump and a door that can be locked for privacy. The 4-by-8 pod is meant for individual use, but can fit more than one person, as well as mothers with babies and other children if needed.

Primarily intended for Augusta University Health employees, the pod is also available to those visiting the hospital. Women gain entry by using a physical key provided by AU Health or by unlocking the keypad lock with a code provided through the Mamava app.

AU Health has a total of three pods located in the Augusta University Medical Center, the Children’s Hospital of Georgia and in the Medical Office Building. An unveiling of one of the pods will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in the lobby of Entrance F of Children’s, located across from the Medical Office Building on the Health Sciences Campus. The media and public are invited to tour the suite.