Help us create a breastfeeding map of the UK

[KateSMumsnet]

Breastfeeding hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons again this week, after news broke of a mother being asked to leave a branch of Sports Direct after she breastfed her baby there. It's hugely important, of course, that we all pick up on stories such as this, and offer support to mothers who are made to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about feeding their children when they're out and about - but at times it can feel like playing catch-up.

It seemed to us that we could take this opportunity to change the rules of the game, and start celebrating those places - and companies - that make feeding on the move easy and enjoyable. So we decided to start a thread asking you to tell us about your favourite places to feed your DC in public.

Whether it's a park bench overlooking a nice duck pond or a particularly cosy corner of a cafe, we'd love to see your pictures of your tried-and-tested spots to feed your little ones. Please add them to this thread, along with their location - if we have enough submissions, what we'd really like to do is create a breastfeeding map of the UK, featuring great feeding spots up and down the country.

We've a page full of tips and advice on how to breastfeed in public, please do add any other pearls of wisdom you'd like to share below. If you want to chat about places to breastfeed in your area, why not start a thread in your Mumsnet Local site, or add a venue you love as a listing?

So there seem to be some companies that stand out as particularly welcoming - John Lewis, Costa, IKEA, M&S. Perhaps MNHQ should contact them to see if they have a particular policy / train their staff to be so supportive?

I am a huge fan of Costa for feeding, although that may say more about my love of coffee!

Peppermint Cream Tea and Coffee Shop in Whitchurch, Shropshire is breastfeeding friendly.

Hastings Town center
Priory Medow Shopping center Hastings
Alexander Park Hastings
My GP surgery
In front of my GP

John Lewis is Sheffield; nice parents' room with nursing chairs.

Liverpool airport. Also on Ryanair flights if that counts. The staff on board were always sooo lovely, bringing me cushions, water and even once asked if I'd like a row of seats that was going spare so that we could stretch out!

I've fed everywhere and anywhere tbh and I've never ever had a problem. I will agree that Sefton Park in Liverpool is a lovely place to feed, as the the waterfront in New Brighton. I will say that that staff and Byron's and Zizzi in Liverpool are just excellent if you have kids full stop, but especially helpful if you only have the use of one arm due to feeding!

I like John Lewis, especially at the beginning when the latch needs a bit ofwork. It's also good for having a chat with other mums!

Ok I forgot! There is a midwife drop I clinic in Birkenhead shopping centre which is fab when you're pregnant and just want to get something checked or have a random question. It's open 10-3 everyday and they will let you feed in there.
Not been in myself as it's next door to costa . But I've been told the chairs are really comfy!

crabwoman that's a good point - MNHQ maybe you could include ALL the breastfeeding support groups around the country, LLL/BFN/NHS perhaps with helpline numbers; it'd be a really handy guide for anyone struggling in the early days who needs professional help :)

Bath - Egg Cafe, (Big Scream - mum and baby cinema), Komedia cafe

North East Somerset- Farringtons Farm

Bristol- family rooms in Cabot Circus, Sensory Space in Brislington, Kudacan, Hungry Caterpillar Cafe and Bubbahub Bedminster, Watershed (with mum and baby cinema)

www.avon.nhs.uk/kris/_Docs/Final%20version%20of%20BF%20Friendly%20places%20for%20mothers.doc

Generally I prefer Starbucks but Costa just is better for bf. can't really put my finger on why.
Bf all around marwell zoo today. Every other person was pushing a baby in a buggy so no one took any notice of us.

9 years ago, I breastfed DS1 opposite Matthew Wright on the Kings Cross to Leeds train.

Ds2 nearly 4 but this is bringing back lots if lovely memories:
Fgw trains to Reading when ds1 was 6 weeks old and many more times
M&S cafes
Worcester library
Richmond castle
At a funeral service
Never had a negative comment.

I'm glad there's so many positive stories on here. I've never had a comment while I've been bfing - nobody made me feel uncomfortable and I suspect most people didn't even notice!

Most National Trust properties I've visited have been very proactive in telling me they have quiet places to feed if I want it, but I've been fine doing it in the cafés/benches.

Also, Westfield Derby have great baby facilities including little curtained cubicles with chairs for feeding (I did use this a lot as I'm a teacher at a secondary school and didn't want pupils to see me feeding!).

Here are two recommendations from Suffolk based Mumsnetters who responded when we asked for suggestions-

Thetford Garden Centre whose coffee shop won an award for being Breastfeeding friendly.

The Lounge in Bury St Edmunds who are described as "supportive and helpful when serving a BF mother ensuring they are comfortable and have everything they need. One of the best breastfeeding friendly cafes in the town"

Kew Gardens; I remember using the little glasshouse near the sensory garden a lot as it has oversize wooden chairs in it, so no elbow crampage. Also Osterley Park, quiet benches overlooking the duckpond.

I never encountered a problem with bad attitudes to breastfeeding in any West London pubs or restaurants. The routine of breastfeed, put baby into pram for sleep, enjoy own unhurried lunch worked well. I breastfed up to 15 months when my son decided he'd had enough. Happy days...eating out with a four year old brings different stresses.

Lesuffolk I was also surprised and pleased to see they 'breastfeeding welcome' sticker in a seafront cafe in Felixstowe - only been there once so can't remember the name, but it wasn't a greasy spoon, more the sort of place you'd expect grandmas to have tea and cake, with doilies.

I had actually sat and BF DD in the car first because we thought 'that doesn't look like the kind of place you can breastfeed easily' - then saw the sticker on the door as we went in & couldn't believe it!

Jenners in Edinburgh has the most amazing BF room with reclining rocking chairs and footrests, though I have to say BF in Edinburgh is fine everywhere - I've never had hassle with 2 DCs 7 years apart

I have fed absolutely everywhere around Sheffield city centre indoors and out and never got anything but a smile. Most of the cafes have signs up saying "we are breastfeeding friendly".

Tons of places in Glasgow - I literally never had any problems. Off the top of my head:

• Merry Go Round on Nithsdale Road is just fab, a wee room just for mums where you have feed, change and have a cup of tea, and then you can browse the nice affordable clothes and toys afterwards!

• John Lewis has an OK feeding room, or their cafe is good too and the staff are great for carrying your trays over if you're struggling

• Costa in Silverburn - again, the staff were really helpful

• I often went to the Tinderbox in Princes Square, it's a very child-friendly place

Happy to report that I never had so much as a tut when I was breastfeeding all last year.

My favourite place to feed DD while out and about in Colchester was Starbucks (this was years ago, before the tax scandal!)... Comfy sofas, they'd always offer to bring your drink over etc and their disabled loo with baby change unit is huge.

One other thought - it may be worth talking to the NCT head office, they offer a babychange app for finding good spots to change your baby's bottom and may be interested in sharing the data from this project to create a similar "bf friendly AND comfortable" venue locator. Which would be handy if you were visiting a town away from home!

Colchester people, have you been to the Minories? It's an awesome place to have a cup of tea and let kids run free with little risk in general.

I've bf in all sorts of places in Rossendale, Lancashire and have never had a negative experience.