CHICAGO — An old school bus converted into a comfortable community space filled with resources for nursing moms has rolled into Chicago.
“It’s real exciting, I mean a lot of preparation, you know,” said Jennifer Moeller. “We just had our baby show yesterday.”
First-time expectant moms like Moeller had a lot to look forward to Sunday, between a 36-foot teal Blue Bird School Bus known as “Barb the Breast Express” and the “Baby in Bloom” Birth and Baby Conference.
“There’s nothing like a giant boob bus to draw a lot of attention and spectacle,” said Amy VanHaren, founder and CEO of Pumpspotting, the company behind the revamped school bus.
VanHaren said the focus behind Barb the Breast Express is to offer a community support system for moms who are nursing, pumping and postpartum.
“When moms are in this phase of life, they really need a few things,” VanHaren said. “They need to be around other mothers and women who are in the same phase of life to talk through stories and what they are going through.”
To help families across the country, Pumpspotting is on a nationwide “Feel Better, Feed Better” bus tour where families can hop onboard the comfy, hands-on space to nurse, connect with Doulas, lactation experts and more.
“I think it’s just a really valuable resource for all moms,” Moeller said. “[It] just makes some things a little more accessible.”
Barb the Breast Express will travel to various events in Chicago through Oct. 13, before making its way to Minneapolis and New York.