Breastfeeding in public question (sort of!)

[Lmccrean]

I as discussing baby feeding facilities at my workplace (childrens science center) with a colleague and I wanted some opinions/feedback from you lovely ladies!

Would you be offended/think we were asking you to stop or move elsewhere, if we asked if you needed anything? My colleague says she offers a cool glass of water, and therefore opens up communication, so if the mum would prefer a private place, she can ask. (often found hidden in corner )

At present the baby changing is the only official private area, and we all know how gross they are. However, the loos (both male and female, though not disabled loo) have baby changing facilities, so removing the facilities in the baby room shouldnt cause much hassle (and move the pull down thing to disabled loo, as none would be accessible to a wheelchair user, imo.) Of course, we can easily open up another room, but Ive never been asked, and dont want to mention it bluntly in case I cause offence!

I want to suggest some changes in upcoming meeting, so your views would be appreciated. Also, what kind of seats would you want in the baby feeding room (ones at the mo arent great, just the normal chairs with arms!)

Its a charity, so I have to persuade them to part with any money! But they do seem to have the best interests of the customer at heart - its just not something they seem to have thought out very well!

Heading to bed now, but will check for any responses in break at work tomorrow when filling out suggestion form

[MrsEi25]

i second the suggestion of signposted feeding room. like posters which say you are welcome to feed and including the option of a private area for you to feed in iyswim i would have appreciated this when BF my DD but unfortunately there seems to be a total lack of anywhere breastfeeding friendly that is accessible and comfortable near me a shame really...
i would suggest maybe a high backed chair with arms for the room as i found that as DD got older anywhere i did find to feed DD in public only had hard plastic low backed chairs which were soooo uncomfortable to sit on for the 15-20 mins it took to feed DD. like the idea of offering a glass of water though BF is thirsty work
xx ei xx

[hana]

Iwouldn't want to be offered a drink, it's not like it's a cafe, right? Maybe have a drinking fountain with cups available so you can help yourself, then you wouldn't need a staff member hovering around

[LyraSilvertongue]

Drinking fountains a good idea. Our John Lewis has a nice feeding area with a private space for those who feel they need it as well as baby changing and a double loo (one for the parent, a lower one for the child).

[bluenosesaint]

Firstly, i'd like to congratulate you on what you are trying to do

I also agree with the 'signposting' suggestion.
I HATE public feeding and would much, much, much prefer to find a clean relaxing room to feed my baby in. However, on the very few occasions where i have fed my baby in public, i would have been absolutley mortified if someone had of asked me if i wanted to go somewhere more private. It would have definitely have made me feel like I wasn't welcome there

With regards to you offering bf-ing mums a drink - although your intentions are wonderful, if you had come over to my table whilst i had been bf-ing my daughter i would have been in an almighty panic in case you 'spotted' anything

A drinking fountain sounds great though

[shouldalistenedtoparumpapumpum]

i have bf ds anywhere & everywhere but have always been glad to find a nice quiet feeding room. armchair with footstool to put up feet is lovely. doesn't have to be fancy, just quiet.

[avenanap]

I breast fed my son, I was alot younger and nervous then and I used to take him into the ladies toilet to feed him. It's the 21st century. Mothers should be able to do what is the most natural thing in the world and feed their babies wherever they please. Most of them (99%) are very discreat and do not flap their boosoms around for all to see. If I had a baby now and were to breast feed I would stay where I was. It's insulting to ask her if she wants some privacy, you wouldn't ask her the same if she was feeding a toddler or giving a baby some food. I am sure not all mums feel this way so if there was a nice room, signposted, with a water dispenser, maybe some magazines and comfy chairs then this would be wonderful. Please don't put them in a corner, breast feeding is nothing to be ashamed of, it should be encouraged.

[OverRated]

A sign-posted clean room, using the International Breastfeeding Symbol, with comfy chairs and a water cooler would be perfect.

If someone choses to BF elsewhere then great but it's always nice to have a designated area, away from the hustle & bustle.

[BabiesEverywhere]

Our local ikea has a lovely large sign on there baby feeding room, saying something like. "Feel free to feed your baby anywhere you like, if you would like a quiet place, try our baby feeding room."

So I know I am welcome to nurse where I want, out and about if I want private room if I want, I like Ikea's attitude

In a feeding room, it would be wonderful if it had pleasant relaxing music, nursing chairs with foot stools and a table with magazines and a water cooler with cups, bin and space for a pram or two.

Saying that as a basic...jug of water with paper cups and a chair

[belgo]

that sounds great BE. The only feeding room I've ever been inside was in the same room as the toilets

[BabiesEverywhere]

I actually nurse DD on the comfy sofas with who ever I visited Ikea with, but I still like Ikea's notice

[TheOldestCat]

Well done on being so thoughtful, Lmccrean.

Agree with Babieseverywhere that IKEA get it spot on. I think a 'of course do feed wherever you like, but if YOU want to go somewhere private, we've got a feeding room...' is the way to go.

I've never felt uncomfortable feeding DD anywhere, but sometimes, as a previous poster pointed out, it's nice to have somewhere quiet to go. Particularly if your baby is going through the distracted 'I'll have a quick look round while I've got Mummy's nipple in my mouth' stage....

[bobsmum]

Ikea's feeding area in Glasgow is right next to the children's play bit with video in the cafe. It's also right by the windows so you don't feel like you've been separated from the rest of the family. There are just a few bamboo type screens for "shielding" rather than being locked away in a different room.

I would always have used the sofas anyway, but think this is a good compromise

[Lmccrean]

thanks everyone! Have wriiten out the form and handed it in dont think they will go for sofas, but will see what I can do!