30 answers

Survey for Bf'ing Moms (Past, Present, Future) RE: Lactation Room in Box Stores

I breastfed my oldest (3) and now my 10 month old. I have always thought it would be advantageous for box stores to provide a lactation/baby room for their customers for BOTH the stores and the moms. I called both Target and Walmart about this a couple of years ago and nothing came of it. Go figure! Sooo, I thought if I did some preliminary research (questioning all you awesome moms) that maybe I could get their attention.

My gut is that if they converted a large fitting room (ones that are never used!) into a lactation/baby room that moms would shop LONGER and spend MORE money there and us moms would have a COMFORTABLE and quiet place to nurse our babies (and calm upset babies with a rock and cuddle).

I am tired of waiting for change and want to do something about it!

Would you please answer these questions if you have BF'd, are BF'ing, or plan to?
1. Do you usually shop at one box store over another on a regular basis?
2. Would you consider changing loyalty if the OTHER store offered a L/B room?
3. Do you think you would spend more TIME at a store if such a room were offered?
4. Do you think you would spend more MONEY at a store if such a room were offered?
5. Do you think you would shop at a store with such room MORE OFTEN?
6. Would it bother you if the store advertised baby items in this type of room?
7. What items do you think are necessary for such room (bare bones)?
8. What items do you think are nice, but not necessary for such room?
9. Other comments for box store execs to take into consideration?
THANK YOU!!! Maybe we can make a difference!

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Please keep them coming. If you agree or disagree. That's what it's for. I look forward to having as many as possible.

It is interesting to hear what some folks have already (moms' lounges!). It is also interesting to hear how easily it is for most of you to nurse in a fitting room, with a sling, walking, etc. I've struggled with nursing my daughters on a bench and sling and NEVER walking. It is VERY uncomfortable for me to sit just anywhere to nurse. I've always needed a boppy or other pillow and need to hold my breast (very large breasts) while nursing. I am also very short, so my feet don't always touch the floor while sitting on a fitting room bench. Sooo, maybe I'm in the minority and just need to suck it up! :)

Also. box stores just refers to the large department stores...Target, Walmart, Kohl's, etc.

Featured Answers

Just a thought after reading one of the comments below - And I am honestly asking out of not knowing the answer and I am not trying to be smart.

The one poster mentioned sitting in her car vs the unclean bathroom (which I totally understand). But, do you think the other moms using these lactation rooms would be respectful enough to keep it clean as well? Or do you think they will get just as trashed as everything else. At least in some of the Walmarts I have been in the changing rooms can be just as gross as a bathroom. I have seen in one (only once but still) where someone left their used sanitary pad in the changing room. Gross! I have also seen dirty diapers left and trash from kids or whoever eating candy while Mom is trying on clothes. So, like I said, not trying to be smart or anything, but do you think people would respect it enought to keep it clean enough?

2 moms found this helpful

1. yes
2.YES!!!!!
3. YES!!!!
4.YES!!!!
5.YES!
6. No
7.Rocking chairs, boppy, changing table, sofa, hand sanitizer station
8. reading material for moms-coupons for store, coffee/water/tea brought by store employees :)
9. As a mom, i would spend more $$$, time and be loyal to store if this room was provided. I would tell everyone I know to shop there.

Thanks for posting!!!! Good luck!

M

1 mom found this helpful

1) yes
2) no
3) maybe
4) no
5) yes
6) no
7) baby changer , chair
8) basic mom / baby supplies
9) Ikea has a nice nusing room.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

I appreciate your efforts! But a plain old dressing room has always worked great for me and every store I have ever asked to use the dressing room was more than gracious to let me use it. I honestly would not switch from Target to Walmart just because of a "Lactation Room". What I would rather have is "expectant Mom Parking" or "Parking for Moms with infant children" like they have at Babies R Us!

6 moms found this helpful

I don't think I would use a room like that. Too claustrophobic for me personally. When I was nursing I would just get a cup of tea at the Starbucks in Target and go sit at a table in the back of their seating area.

I LOVED nursing in Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby because they sell those awesome, giant, and ridiculously expensive gliders. I would just sit myself in one of their floor models and nurse my son. My friends have done the same. I know that these stores have private nursing rooms, but like I said, they feel so claustrophobic. I was super comfortable and I really couldn't have cared less what other shoppers thought. Nursing my baby was not something I felt I should have to hide. They had the gliders. I was just testing them out. 8)

I was also not really super modest when I was nursing. I mean, I wasn't sitting there with my breast hanging out or anything. I made sure that my breast was covered, and my nipple accessible for my son, but I never covered my son's head with a blanket or anything else. I've nursed on the subway, Yankee Stadium, Macy's, Target, Old Navy , city buses, airplanes, park benches.......

So, for numbers 1-6 of your questions my answers would have to be NO. Those types of things never mattered to me. What mattered was feeding my baby when he was hungry regardless of where I was. I sure wasn't going to go sit in the car with the little guy. Both of us would have been uncomfortable.

I guess for a bare bones room you really would need a good glider with an ottoman. A table next to the glider with some magazines. A box of tissues and maybe a box of wipes.

Peace.

5 moms found this helpful

It would be a good idea if they had a mom and baby "lounge". Not specific to breast feeding moms because bottle babies might need to be held and fed as well. Seems like a good idea to me. Go with it. If you could get Walmart on board you will have the rest of the countries attention.
The changing tables should be in the lounge too, I never changed my baby in the rest room of anyplace with a changing table due to the particles in the air... it just always grossed me out to think about how many germs are in the ladies restroom, plus it always smell not so good and I couldnt stand to be in there any longer than just peeing and fleeing.

ADDED after a stressful day at work:
I walked and breastfed at the same time, so I didnt really need anywhere to sit so to speak. Many a day in the mall with infant on boob looking at the clothes I was gettin ready to fit back into :) If ya throw a blanket over the baby no one will know the difference. BFding moms need to be OUT THERE so people will just get used to it being a NORMAL thing and not something that needs to be hidden. If you allow it to be taboo it will always attract attention.
I know your post isnt supposed to go in this direction so forgive me for my rant... but think about it Girls. ... Look how homosexuality is being accepted amongst the masses.... PLEASE do NOT be AFRAID to breast feed in public venues. Dont flash your boob, but if you did, who cares? You are feeding a human.
Sorry, had a crazy day at work with crazy weather and the power is about to go out and I dont know how much longer I have until my only choice is to sit and play Rummy with hubby by candle light :)
I never went to sit privately in a room to feed my kids, that's what I'm saying. But I see so many of the breast feeding moms thinking they NEED privacy to do it... I dont think they do. But since so many THINK they do, the baby feeding lounge Could work for them.

3 moms found this helpful

I have BF 5 babies and and still with number 6 who is 10 weeks old. I go where the deals are and use the big dressing rooms as a place to change/ calm down/ nurse. I also walk through the store nursing if that is what I have to do. You have to use what is available at the time for your needs even if the intended purpose is not that.
J.

3 moms found this helpful

I think it's an interesting proposal, but since I prefer to nurse my baby in a sling while we're shopping, I'd worry about store employees trying to force me to nurse only in the designated nursing area.

3 moms found this helpful

To be honest when I was nursing I would always nurse my baby before I left. When I go shopping, I just want to shop and get home. I do not see myself staying longer and feeding my baby while I am there. If my child seemed hungry, I would probably just try to finish my shopping trip to get home to feed the baby. This would not make any difference in whether or not I shopped at a store. Just being honest!

3 moms found this helpful

I breastfed both my kids until they were 1. I nursed several times in the fitting room of dept. stores. I don't necessarily think they need a lactation room. The fitting room worked perfectly (assuming there was a bench to sit on and usually there was). I usually used the "handicapped" fitting room b/c the others don't always have benches...plus I had my stroller. I do not think they can convert the handicapped ones...as people in wheelchairs do shop in those stores & do need a large fitting room. I think a fitting room is all that is needed. If there isn't one, maybe there is a cafe where one could sit discreetly & nurse. I also nursed my kids in the car frequently (mostly on road trips). It's a nice idea, but not entirely necessary...and I'm a huge BF'ing advocate.

2 moms found this helpful

Would you please answer these questions if you have BF'd, are BF'ing, or plan to?
1. Do you usually shop at one box store over another on a regular basis? I shop at Wal-mart slightly more often than Target but prefer Target
2. Would you consider changing loyalty if the OTHER store offered a L/B room? Yes
3. Do you think you would spend more TIME at a store if such a room were offered? Yes
4. Do you think you would spend more MONEY at a store if such a room were offered? Potentially -- I wouldn't be in as much of a rush
5. Do you think you would shop at a store with such room MORE OFTEN? Yes
6. Would it bother you if the store advertised baby items in this type of room? No
7. What items do you think are necessary for such room (bare bones)? Clean area, seat or bench, changing table (or pull down changing station)
8. What items do you think are nice, but not necessary for such room? Antibacterial wipes
9. Other comments for box store execs to take into consideration? I have fed my 2nd child (currently prego with #3) in the car in the parking lot of Target rather than resorting to the unclean bathroom -- I would have much rather preferred a comfy lactation room in the store than sitting in the freezing cold in the winter in a busy parking lot nursing my infant. Summer is just as bad if not worse too!

2 moms found this helpful

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