Breastfeeding in central London?

[AppleAndBlackberry]

Just wondering if anyone can recommend any breastfeeding friendly places in central London? Or anywhere to avoid? We will be staying for a few days when DD is about 3 months. I feed her all over the place here but it's not that busy so I'm a bit anxious about London.

[thisisyesterday]

anywhere and everywhere imo!

[louloubelle]

I have fed in many strange places, but a good dept store ie John Lewis or M and S will always have somewhere for you to feed that is a bit more discreet.

[2cats2many]

John Lewis in Oxford Street has a breastfeeding room and the feeding and babychange facilities in Westfield are really lovely. But, to put your mind at rest, I've seen women breastfeeding on Tube and no-one has even raised an eyebrow.

Everyone ignores each other in London, so you could probably strip naked in Leicester Square and get away with it.

[CatIsSleepy]

don't think London cafes/restaurants etc are that different to anywhere else-don't worry, it'll be fine

[henryhuggins]

i wouldn't go anywhere special just to breastfeed. agree - anywhere is fine. people won't look twice

[Blu]

I fed DS in the Foyer of the RFH on the S Bank, in loads of cafes, on the London Eye, in art galleries....

Out shopping is the biggest challenge, just for somewhere to sit comfortably. Which is where all those cafes comein handy - chains such as Costa, Starbucks, Nero as well as independents.

[nomoresleep]

Agree with 2cats2many!

Art galleries are also good quiet places for a sit-down and feed - as long as your let-down is under control and you're not in danger of squirting breastmilk over a masterpiece.

Your bigger problem will be dealing with a pram/buggy on the tube - bring a sling!!

[onemoretimetoday]

Anywhere at all, nobody will bat an eyelid. Agree that a sling is much better than a pram though in london especially at that age

[Longtalljosie]

Don't forget Boots stores have special space if you're feeling self-conscious...

[doingthelambethwalk]

Wouldn't worry about it at all, anywhere you like!

[HolidaysQueen]

I've done it on the tube and in all sorts of other places, even when DS was bigger and wrigglier than 3 months old! Never had anyone raise an eyebrow - either ignored me cos that's what Londoners do, or just smiled encouragingly. You'll be fine.

Having said that, if you would rather be somewhere discreet then big dept stores are a good bet. I always found M&S to be useful, and Mothercare often as a baby feeding room too. But TBH most cafes have quiet corners where nobody would even notice, or else there will be so many yummy mummies bfing in the caffs that you won't stand out anyway!

[notcitrus]

John Lewis on Oxford St - there's special baby rooms with toilets you can get a buggy in, changing areas etc on both the 4th and 5th floors. The 5th floor tends to be less crowded.

Only problem I ever had was in the City of London, escaped a jam-packed bus in rush hour and couldn't find anywhere to sit down, not even any seats at a bus stop! Ended up in a toilet in M&S as there were no chairs at all. Turned out that in the lingerie dept there were not only chairs but a whole baby room with armchair that was totally unsignposted. And Selfridges baby room and toilets signposted with pushchair symbols are down flights of stairs - wtf?

Any cafe will be delighted to have a customer in current conditions! Have fun!

[PumpkinProject]

I've BF all over London too! Incl buses, tubes, cafes, restaurants, no one has ever said anything to me except in support. However if you are feeling a little self concious, I've found that the cafes within bookshops (eg Starbucks in Borders) to be a little quieter and more friendly.

[Sunshinemummified]

Selfridges also has a fab baby room with lovely rocking chairs. I once took DD in there and dropped off while feeding her in one of the chairs

[cassell]

I've found London the easiest place to bf in public because as others have said everyone ignores everyone else anyway! I've bfed on the bus, on the train, on the tube, in museums/galleries (they often have plenty of seating and you get something to look at while doing it!), all cafes etc I've been to have been fine.

Most of the big dept stores have a parents room with a separate space for bf if you want somewhere more private. There is a big mothercare by Marble Arch and a big mamas & papas by Oxford Circus and they have parents rooms iirc.

[AppleAndBlackberry]

Wow - thanks for all the responses! It's good to know that people do it on the tube and buses! Also good to have a few quiet places in mind so thanks very much.

[Lobyd]

Wanted to add Mamas and Papas in Oxford Circus - they have a lovely bit upstairs ( there is a lift) with feeding rooms, changing rooms and a nice cafe too - good to read other suggestions on here too, I didn't know about Boots! Is that in all the large ones?

[AppleAndBlackberry]

Thanks