Healthy Horizons opens nominations for 9th annual lactation room contest

Healthy Horizons is accepting nominations through Sept. 7 for its 9th Annual Lactation Room Contest, which will award workplace upgrades and parent prize packages worth $22,895. The contest is aimed at improving lactation spaces for working parents and will name two grand prize winners and one runner-up.

Why it matters: - The contest aims to improve workplace lactation rooms, which can affect retention, comfort and support for working parents returning to work. - Three winning workplaces will receive upgrades valued across a $22,895 prize pool. - Two new parents will also win personal prize packages.

What happened: - Healthy Horizons opened nominations for the 9th Annual Lactation Room Contest. - Nominations are open through Sept. 7, 2026. - Anyone can nominate an organization, including parents, employers and workplace advocates. - The contest closes at the end of Workplace Lactation Week™. - The application is available online at the contest page.

The details: - The contest will award two grand prize winners and one runner-up. - Workplace winners will receive hospital-grade multi-user breast pumps, including Ameda Pearl or Spectra S3. - Prize packages also include dual collection kits, Healthy Horizons reclining lactation chairs, Zenoff My Brest Friend nursing stools, lactation room guides and a furniture and decor budget. - Winners will also get Healthy Horizons Breast Milk Shipping programs, milk transport duffle bags, microwave steam sterilizer bags, breast pump soaps and wipes, hand sanitizers, lotions, a Healthy Horizons Back to Work Class and one-time Lactation Room Servicing™, subject to conditions. - Two winning new parents will receive Zomee wearable hands-free pumps, designer pump bags, breast milk chillers, organic body care and lactation supplements. - Past workplace winners include Apptegy, General Motors and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Government Center.

Between the lines: - The contest is built to do more than furnish a room. It is meant to signal broader workplace support for breastfeeding and returning parents. - Past winners show the prize can be used as both a practical upgrade and a culture shift. - At Apptegy, a new mother said the company expanded from one Mother’s Room to three after winning. - At the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Government Center, a new mother said the contest could raise breastfeeding awareness and help spark change in the surrounding rural area. - At General Motors’ California Advanced Design facility, a facilities manager said the win helped create a model lactation room for other sites.

What's next: - Healthy Horizons will close nominations on Sept. 7, 2026. - Winners will receive workplace and personal prize packages after the contest selection process. - The company is also promoting the contest through its partner brands, including Healthy Horizons Breastfeeding Centers, Bella Brands Inc., Ceres Chill, Eleeo Brands, EO Products, Earth Mama, Herb Lore LLC, KeaBabies, Legendairy Milk, Mila's Keeper, Miracle International Inc., Munchkin-Milkmakers, Sarah Wells Bags, The Little Milk Bar, Zenoff Products Inc. and Zomee.

The bottom line: - Healthy Horizons is using the contest to push more employers to treat lactation spaces as a workplace benefit, not an afterthought.