I was very disappointed with my options when I was breastfeeding my first born in public. The only stores I could find a place to COMFORTABLY breastfeed my daughter was at large department stores (Macy's) that had really nice restrooms with benches and at Babies R Us. If I wanted to breastfeed at a box store, I had to use the fitting room and that was VERY uncomfortable (even with a sling).
Yes, I know I could have breastfed on a regular bench located through-out the store, but I was uncomfortable with getting situated and because I had to hold my breast the entire time I fed my daughter, so she would latch and stay latched (I know NOT FUN).
Breatfeeding in the car works but is very inconvenient when you are in the middle of the store or in MN winters. I did take bottles with when I went into public, but that meant I didn't breastfeed or pump on schedule either.
SO, my question is HOW CAN WE GET STORES TO MAKE A LACTATION ROOM AVAILABLE? Couldn't they put a rocker in the family restroom? Convert a fitting room with a rocking chair/small recliner? I think this would be a great way to advertise some of the baby products being sold at the store. It doesn't have to be equipped with diapers...but a diaper vending machine. They could put one of the gliders they sell in there....maybe the manufacturer would donate the chair to the box stores?
I called Target and made suggestions but obviously that didn't help. Any suggestions as to how to get their attention or ways to make this as inexpensive for the companies as possible? Would it help if we all called these stores and shared our concerns?
I think you would have to take it to the corporate office of the store. Just contacting a store through the local manager won't help. They have no say in store policy/changes.
M.
I don't know, but maybe you could ask at babies r us, what prompted them to get their little room. The one in Hawthorne has a nursing room, which I didnt go in to, but I thought it was very nice that they had one.
You need to make a business case for it. Most retailers are struggling right now and asking them to do something simply for your convenience won't resonate with cost-cutting executives. What will is the potential financial benefit: attracting moms to the store to spend money. When you contact stores, point out that anything that makes it easier for moms to breastfeed will attract new moms to the store. Word spreads quickly among moms about family-friendly stores. Remind them that new moms typically need to buy a lot of things for their rapidly growing babies. That will help to get their attention.
Well, whipping the boobs out in public view might make the 6 o'clock news, but that probably won't have the effect you were hoping for. I would think La Leche might have information on this. They have been known to stage a 'feed in' every so often.
It would be a great thing for nursing moms, but honestly I just fed my kids wherever I saw fit. If they were hungry in the middle of Target or the mall, I just sat down and fed them.
Thank You! I totally agree, When we go out I also bring bottles but they have to be in a cooler pack so I have go to the public restroom and warm it up in warm water, and the water never gets hot in those places. It would be wonderful if we could breastfeed in a room dedicated for that purpose when we are out.. It's warm and ready to go, plus keeping the schedule is nice. We can't just mix with water, shake and feed : ) I would almost want to write a news station about it. It is inconsiderate and inconvenient to all breastfeeding moms to have to cram in a stall uncomfortably, which is not good for feeding, or leave the store entirely. It is a fact of life, shouldn't be shunned, and should be accomodated. It's not illegal to do it in public but it is sooooo uncomfortable. If I could I would sit in the lawn furniture section of a store and breastfeed on a lawnchair with my feet up haha. I am totally on board with calling store CEO's or the news to make this known. Making family friendly stores would boost popularity for sure. This day and age where nobody holds back anything why can't breastfeeding moms get a bench in a restroom!
