Our Impact
The Nursing Nest improves maternal and infant care access at community events by creating dedicated, supportive areas where families can care for their babies.
Our work helps reduce practical barriers that can make attending community events difficult for families with infants. By bringing infant care support directly into the places where communities gather, families can meet their babies’ needs with greater comfort and remain connected to the experience around them.
2026 Impact So Far
Data current through October 3, 2026
The Nursing Nest began serving Central Ohio families in May 2026. During our inaugural season, we are collecting service-use data, caregiver demographics, feedback, and field observations to understand how dedicated infant care access affects participation in community life.
8
Events Served
172
Caregiver Encounters
229
Infant Care Service Uses
155
Unique Caregivers
17
Return Visits
47
ZIP Codes Represented
How Families Are Using The Nursing Nest
Families use The Nursing Nest for a range of everyday infant care needs.
138 Diaper Changes
46 Breastfeeding Uses
15 Soothing or Quiet Spaces Uses
14 Bottle Feeds
7 Bottle Preparations
2 Pumping Uses
Families may use more than one type of support during a single visit. Across 172 caregiver encounters, The Nursing Nest documented 229 individual care uses.
Our Reach Across Central Ohio
Families visiting The Nursing Nest have represented 47 ZIP codes, with most visitors coming from communities throughout Central Ohio.
Our most represented ZIP codes so far are:
43068 - 39 caregivers
43207-10 caregivers
43232 - 9 caregivers
43004-9 caregivers
43228 - 8 caregivers
43123-6 caregivers
43119 - 5 caregivers
43206 - 5 caregivers
43110- 5 caregivers
This growing geographic reach shows that the need for maternal and infant care access extends across communities.
Who We are Reaching
The Nursing Nest has served caregivers across age groups and communities during our first event season.
Among 155 unique caregivers:
90 were ages 25-34
31 were ages 35-44
22 were ages 18-24
11 were age 45 or older
1 was under age 18
Caregivers also represented a racially and ethnically diverse population, including Black or African American, White, Asian, multiracial, Hispanic or Latino, Middle Eastern or North African, and American Indian or Alaska Native families.
What We Are Learning
Our growing data continues to show that families use The Nursing Nest for more than one type of care.
Across 172 caregiver encounters, families used the space 229 times for specific care needs. Diaper changes remain the most common use, while feeding support and quieter space are also important parts of the program.
We are also seeing families return to The Nursing Nest during events. 15 return visits have been documented so far.
Advance communication and visible wayfinding continue to matter. Families are more likely to use the service when they know it will be available and can easily locate it once they arrive.
These findings are helping us strengthen event planning, outreach, signage, staffing, and future program development.
Building the Evidence
The Nursing Nest collects data at each activation to measure reach, service use, and caregiver experience.
Our evaluation includes caregiver encounters, unique visitors, return visits, geographic reach, types of care provided, caregiver demographics, caregiver feedback, and operational observations.
We will use this information to publish a comprehensive report following the 2026 event season.
Help Expand Infant Care Access
Community support allows The Nursing Nest to transport, staff and equip dedicated infant care areas while keeping the service available to families at no cost.
What Caregivers Are Telling Us
100%
Felt more comfortable participating in the event
100%
Reported reduced stress or overwhelm
100%
Would use The Nursing Nest again
88%
Would not have stayed at the event as long without this service (12% were unsure)