To coincide with this year’s Mother’s Day, Malta International Airport (MIA), in collaboration with the Malta Breastfeeding Foundation (MBF), inaugurated a mothering room, which is situated near the reception desk in the departure lounge of MIA. The purpose of the mothering room is to provide a quiet and comfortable space where mothers may breastfeed their children.

The collaboration is a result of MIA’s concern for customer satisfaction which was prompted by a letter in the press some months ago about a mother who could not find a quiet spot at the airport to sit and breastfeed her child. MIA and MBF combined their resources to reach a solution for the provision of adequate space which may be accessed by MIA customers and staff alike.

Equipped simply with suitable seating facilities, a wash hand basin and a water drinking fountain, the room offers privacy and comfort to the breastfeeding mother and child as well as allowing her other children or another adult to accompany her. Signage leading to the mothering room may be easily spotted. The icon used on the signposts is the new international symbol which shows where spaces allocated for breastfeeding may be found.