Facilities you'd need in a 'breast feeding friendly' establishment?

[thelady]

OK, a request for practical suggestions here please.

I run a small hotel. I would like to provide for breastfeeding mums. I can't provide a separate room for feeding - it's simply not practical - although there is a ground floor room (used to be a small dining room) which isn't heavily used at the mo.

On the basis that there's very little child-friendly in our town, and as I'm expecting my first in Dec, I'm hoping to at least show willing.

At a minimum, what would you need in the way of facilities in a place that aimed to be breast-feeding friendly?

In addition, what facilities would be on your dream wish-list? I know I won't be able to provide everything (expense, space, etc) but it would be nice to know.

Ad some pointy sticks to poke 'em in the eyes with if they complain...

A roof would be splendid.
If you could stretch to a wall or two mums nationwide would be eternally grateful am sure.

yes obviously I only feed when there's a comfy chair available....

was aiming more for the dream wish list

ok sorry dream wishlist would be

toys to amuse dd2 who is 2

free nappies and wipes for when brain stops working just when I leave the house

free iced water for me

pleny of space for puschairs and baggage

cant think of anything else

Oh no, I like the idea of having a screen which I can choose to use...I was always a bit shy about flashing my 38Gs about...can't help but show a bit, especially as I fed my dc in the under the arm way. Oh also, cushions, I always had to have one under dd and ds.
Sorry if this stuff everyone else has said.

I would say that the only facilities that I would have needed in a restaurant would be a bit of space to push out the chair that bit further - no fixed seating.

Also, food on the menu that can be eaten with one hand.

i hate the idea of screens. i can see why they are being suggested but to me it makes it look as if you are hiding breastfeeding.

At the very least all you need is a sign in the window. Someone BF will feed whereever and whenever they need to. I once had DS2 in the sling feeding whilst shopping in tesco! you couldn't see.

have to say that my wishlist would be enough room to put the buggy, a book for ds1/2 (i tend to take small toys when we are out anyway)

I am currently 23+4 and intending to BF. However, as i am self conscious, i would very much WELCOME a screen so that i can BF discreetly. not for anyone else's comfort, but purely for my own! i would hate for someone to be watching me.

RG if anyone watches you give them a hard stare

there is no reason to be self conscious

I have never had anyone watching me except grannies going 'awww'

I haven't read all the other posts but I think one of the most important things you can have are signs that say quite clearly that mums are welcome to bf anywhere they like! I think this is especially important if you provide a more private area for those that prefer it - it makes it clear - to mums and other customers - that the more private area is optional! and no-one need feel awkard if they want to feed elsewhere

I see everyone else has beaten me to it - signs definitely the way to go!

just thought of something for your staff - if mum is served her meal and then baby demands a feed and mum is struggling to do the one handed feeding herself thing - get staff to offer to take the food away and keep it warm for her; in general make staff aware that babies and toddlers might mean that the family don;t all want their meal in the traditional order - ie toddlers want their main when adults are having starters etc - just get the staff to ask what the customers want and to make it clear they can be flexible.

At a minimum, a peaceful, well-ventilated area with comfortable chairs (preferably fairly low, or alternatively with a footstool tucked underneath). Access should be easy with a buggy, and it should be possible to either bring the buggy with, or leave it visible just outside the area. Of course this bit may not be relevant in a hotel.

Wishlist:
There should be no nappy bins in the feeding area.
A box of toys and books for older children to occupy themselves would be very nice.
Drinking water - even if only tap water.
A table to put things on.

Ensuring that staff are aware and helpful will go a long way towards remedying any 'deficiencies' in the space provided. I was at a hotel in the SW once (can't remember which, sorry) and mentioned that I was going to sit in the bar lounge to feed dd. Next thing I knew, a waiter was placing a glass of water, a plate with a couple of biscuits, and a large cloth napkin on the table next to me. Very nice, very welcoming .

thelady, I've been in places where the changing facilities were not a fold-down table, but a higher-than-usual kitchen cabinet arrangement, with a high lip on the counter. Then an ordinary loose changing mat on top.

Something nice to have in a baby change room would be either a dispenser with tear-off paper changing table covers (you often see them, but they're usually empty), or a wall-mounted sanitizer (eg Dettox) and paper towels to wipe down the mat.

My wishlist items have already been suggested but I'll say them again anyway!

Agree with moondog it's about attitude of staff rather than actual physical facilities.

A sign is helpful so I know I can bf with confidence that no-one will complain.

Space to push the chair back from the table a bit, fixed seating is a pita.

Offer to take away food and keep it warm if lo is feeding (otoh tis always risky to get between a bfing Mum and her dinner)

Toddler food being brought out first/with adult starters.

Personally I would hate to be screened off, it would massively draw attention to what's going on. I also don't really care about changing facilities and don't mind kneeling on the floor, it's worth it for nice food and a positive attitude imho.

Sign and helpful staff most important.

JOhn Lewis staff leap into action and carry trays over to tables for overloaded mums.

Keeping food warm - big plus.

Not bring childrens food scorching hot on hot plates very welcome.

Enough room to push my chair back good. If a specific room no nappy bins. No nasty spraying airfresheners (or above a changing table as I once encountered).

Water dispenser nice but a nightmare if you have a mobile older child who discovers it.

A box of toys always good either in feeding room or out for keeping munchkins occupied so I might actually stay long enough to have another course rather leaving in an exasperated fashion (exasperated at my children btw).

Oh and if a box of toys is provided please check it on a regular basis for grime bits of toys missing etc. Nothing sadder than a filthy toybox with two naked frizzy haired barbies and an empty shape sorter.

as everyone said-a sign, and obviously the fact that you and staff support bf is a great start.

possibly a stash of breast pads, nappies and wipes offered, just in case.

a few books and mags, maybe colouring books and crayons, for dc's and the mother.

a comfy chair and screens if people require them.

changing station for the ladies loo? can't you get these for quite cheap from Ikea? just something high enough to reach with a changing mat on, even a sturdy table would suffice.

surely a local joiner would be able to make a fold down changing table for less than £100?

List of IKEA Changing tables

Cheapest wall one is £49 and table for £15 !!!

i'd say don't offer a water dispenser as once dd1 finds it she fiddles with it big time, they have one in my local 'walk in ' clinic and its a nightmare. Then the breastfeeding mum won't be able to feed because she'll be reaching out for an older toddler. IYSWIM.

one thing i really hate when i'm out for a meal is having dining chairs with arms on. i find that i need elbow room to bf!! so if you're just going to "allow" mothers to bf in the main dining room, make sure the chairs don't have arms on! agree with people who have said about a screen drawing attention to what you are doing. i do feel so reassured if i see a breastfeeding welcome sign in the window, and don't forget if you are breastfeeding friendly you can get some free advertising here!

Yes, just a sign, or several signs, and helpful staff

open up one of the bedrooms for women who felt too uncomfortable feeding in public (one of my local hotels does this, and you can change nappies in there too)

no screens please

Thanks again. I'm reluctant to get a changing 'shelf' made as there's no guarantee it's been weight tested etc.

The ladies is tiny - one loo and a basin in the room and no cubicles (this is a VERY old building) - so it would have to be a fold-down unit.

I've wanted to do this for ages - the nearest BF support group is 12 miles away, once a week - and expecting my own is probably going to be the catalyst I need.

I think we'll go for the simple option: signs in windows, staff training, free water (already do that), and think about one-handed meals. We don't do lunches, just dinners, at the moment but are thinking about "tea and a sticky" sort of options through the afternoon.

Brilliant idea about the bedroom - we have a single, staff room which isn't ensuite but might just be OK for someone wanting a bit of peace/quiet. We're too small (5 bedrooms) to offer one of the main rooms unfortunately...

toys would be cool otherwise crayons/paper/ books
magazines and newspapers
someone to bring you stuff and a smiling face
a sign is really the onmly thing though.
I once read one in a swimming pool in Bridlington and it was sooooooo great to read it made me tearful actually