The benefits of a clean nursing room

Having breastfed exclusively, the first thing I look for when I go to shopping malls is the breastfeeding room. Most of the shopping malls nowadays are equipped with such facilities. Some call it the nursery room, or baby room. These rooms are normally represented by a baby sign. Most breastfeeding rooms also have nappy changing facilities.

Some of the breastfeeding rooms are really comfortable: Nice wallpaper, enough privacy, quiet, clean, with air-cond, washing area, fully furnished with sofa/chair/bench and a place for hubby to sit and wait along (how thoughtful!).

But, there are also rooms that are not well maintained: Dirty, smelly, hot, tap with no water, torn sofa and bad ventilation. Well, when the baby is hungry and crying, a lousy breastfeeding room is better than none but I think the mall management can do better.

Sometimes, the breastfeeding rooms are all occupied, so what I normally do is take out a big scarf, tie a knot and put it on. Then I just breastfeed at one of the benches outside the breastfeeding room. There is nothing to be embarrassed about because feeding baby is something normal, and, as my husband says, it is beautiful.

Speaking about husbands reminds me that all the breastfeeding rooms would have a notice saying: “No men allowed.” But, normally, everyone just ignores it. This is simply because, most of the time, the wife alone cannot handle so many things at once! With my husband along, I can ask him to pass me the water, wipes, napkin, etc. When I finish breastfeeding, he can hold the baby and let me get the cleaning job done!

I seriously doubt that the mall management who put up the notice have any real experience using the facility. There are also other mall visitors who do not understand. For example, I once saw young ladies occupying the breastfeeding room for other purposes. Well, what can I say? They are not parents yet. But if you are a breastfeeding mum who goes shopping often like me, you will understand what a free, cozy and clean breastfeeding room means to a mum, dad and baby, right?

Tan Sook Fern