to be annoyed that my local mothercare are closing their feeding room down?

[fiveisanawfullybignumber]

They are shutting the feeding and changing facilities in my local Mothercare shop, so they can bring in 'new and exciting changes including ELC.'
Basically closing down the ELC shop across the precinct and shoving stock into the area that was so vital for mums & babies.
I loved the fact that I could go and BF in a quiet room away from prying eyes in the food court etc. I can honestly say I've never been alone in there either, always another BF mum to chat to so well used.
Mothercare used to be concerned about these things, obviously now it's all about profit per sq foot!

So did you ever buy anything in there? Or just go there for feeding?

Mothercare don't give a sh1t about new mothers any more. The more the years go by, the more hideous and overpriced tat they stock. The manager at my local branch in Exeter mutters darkly about people using the feeding/changing room as a public toilet. Short of actually crapping on the floor, I'm not sure what she means apart from people changing their babies' nappies in there. She now shuts the room randomly, meaning that people have to go to the single town changing facility which is also a disabled loo, and is glaringly insufficient for the task. I just nip into a coffee shop and have a coffee at the same time now. At least it's cleanish.

Why should they cater to non-customers? I don't get it. Just because you're a mum doesn't mean you can go in and use their facilities without providing them your custom.

Why shouldn't they want to make a profit, they're a business and times have been tough economically for everybody

neuro Yes, i regularly go in there and but stuff. In fact I can only get Johnsons BF pads from there locally, so can't even boycot the store in protest unless I bulk buy online.
I just think it goes against their statement about supporting new mums. Even if they got rid of the changing area and loo, and only kept the feeding room it would be better.

Running this facility means that they get more people in through the door neuro. More people=more chances to sell them something. Believe me, this kind of service is only ever a commercial decision for companies, and it's a very valuable form of advertising to actually get potential customers through the door even if they don't always buy something. I practically always bought something when my first batch of children were small. This time around I struggle to find anything to buy in there that's not hideous. Maybe that could be the reason they are struggling financially?

Because if you go in their to feed/change your baby, you'll probably browse on the way in or out and maybe buy something you wouldn't necessarily have bought. Or you might think 'while I'm here I'll just pick up some nappies (or whatever)'.

Exactly duchesse, you hit the nail on the head, it's a commercial decision! Presumably, it's either no longer viable, or they've found a better use for the space.

I don't see the big deal really

Which branch is it? Have you contacted their head office to voice your opinions?

I think its a shame. I use the local mothercare room ocassionally, used it a lot at the beginning when I was getting to grips with BFing, and know I wasn't the only one.

Agree with poppydog, you should contact them.

This is happening at our local store too. Wonder if it's the same one or if this is a national thing. Are you in East Anglia?

I'm sure they know better than you do what makes commercial sense for their store. And I have never understood the point of feeding rooms anyway, who do you imagine can be arsed to stare at you?

BonniePrinceBilly - not everyone is confident feeding in public. Feeding rooms are essential, particularly if you are just getting to grips with bfing or have a wriggly baby who won't stay latched on. I go in the Marks and Spencer one in Milton Keynes - not somewhere I'd normally shop, but on my way through I saw some nice clothes which made me change my opinion of them and might possibly start shopping there.

I wouldn't of wanted to use the nearest ones to me ... in their wisdom they lump them in with changing rooms which are overheated and stink of poo from the nappy bins... yuk, yuk, yuk

help.mothercare.com/help/stores/breastfeeding

poppydog - sorry to hijack - I've also used the MK M&S one but if you are down the other end of the shopping centre the one in John Lewis is very good.

not sure if the mothercare there has one, think so, but didn't ever use it !

Crapweasel Yes, big University city?
BonniePrinceBilly my 4m old DD has severe gastric reflux. Even with the help of 3 different meds some feeding sessions are a traumatic combination of screaming, arching back, latching on and off etc. Maybe you'd like to do them for me in public???
I think these rooms are vital, and as poppydogs link shows, Mothercare themselves think so too.
Will try emailing them.

YANBU, it is very short sighted. I have lost count of the times I took one of mine in to change then ended up spotting something and buying it.

Bonnie - some mothers do get embarrassed about BFing in public.

I have a feeding room upstairs in my shop, and although I don't get a lot of people using it, I would never consider getting rid of it, because I want my customers to feel they are welcome in my shop.
and if they feel welcoem, then they will feel valued, and if they feel valued, they will spend money.
and they will also tell all their friends about me.

The feeding room/toilet in our local Mothercare (Norfolk) was always filthy.

I had to exclusively express for my ds so in the early days only visited places where I knew there were private facilities.

nickelbabe where/what is your shop? I want to go there! Seriously, though, that's really considerate, as a customer I'd appreciate it lots.

I used to feed mine on the rocking chairs in mothercare. The only people there are people who are have or having babies so I never felt self conscious.

duchesse, did you notice that a few years ago Exeter ELC closed their toilet, directing customers to Macdonalds? Small children need frequent toilet stops, so having one in a shop like Mothercare or ELC made real sense in a customer care context and getting people through the doors; more than going to the top floor in M&S or Debenhams on a (dangerous with little ones) escalator. The lilac lighting in the public toilets, there to prevent junkies from locating their veins, puts me off because of the implication that there's more than just toilet related germs around. Personally I'm sorry that Mothercare, and so many other high street chain stores, seems to stock so much of the (can't think of the right word) stuff with disney pooh bear, or other spin off stuff from TV rather than a diverse range of products based on function.

That is a shame. I've been in the feeding room in the Mothercare in Inverness a few times and it's actually a lovely room. Brown leather sofas, cushions, chilled water, rocking chair and there are also toys for olders kids to keep them entertained while you're feeding baby. It's excellent.

Five are you talking Norwich or Cambridge?

I always thought the Norwich one was horrible tbh but then I have never had the need to use it for about 5 years so maybe its changed.

John Lewis have a breastfeeding room.