Mom of 9 month old baby needs your help! (Union, Lexington: lease, hotels)

[Terri]

Hi everyone! We are going to the city for a day to visit and I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on areas where I can nurse my daughter in private. She won't take a bottle so it will be a challenge. I usually nurse in our car but since we'll be in the city taking the train that won't be an option. I would appreciate any suggestions or advise.

[Moderate Guy]

Im only a man, but can't you nurse the baby in restrooms?

[Henna]

Originally Posted by Miles

Im only a man, but can't you nurse the baby in restrooms?

If it were that easy, she probably wouldn't be asking. I'm not a mom but I can't imagine that it would be easy to go into a toilet stall where you normally wouldn't even want to sit down if you are alone, bring your baby and all your baby stuff into a tiny stall, shut the door and sit on the toilet and try to breastfeed.

To the OP - maybe some of the higher end baby goods stores would have a place to breastfeed? Like littlefolksnyc.com ?

I would imagine that some of the more child-friendly museums and tourist attractions would offer a place . . .but I don't know firsthand.

[bmwguydc]

I actually had to ask my sisters-in-law about this and came up with a couple of places, depending upon where you will be in the city. Babies R Us in Union Square has a designated nursing room with gliders, chairs, changing tables, etc. The Gap on Lexington Avenue at 58th has changing rooms in its maternity department with chairs and all. Buy Buy Baby on 7th at 25th also has a couple of designated nursing rooms with gliders.

Now, aside from dedicated nursing rooms, they suggested that you might go to higher-end department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue or higher-end hotels that have bathroom/lounge facilities, as there are usually chairs upon which you may sit and it's not the same as being in public, since you're surrounded by other ladies.

Some museums also have nice, clean facilities that can be another option for nursing, and some restaurants do as well. Tavern on the Green, for example, has clean restrooms in Central Park, and I believe that they are required to be accessible to the public as a quirk of their lease with the city for being in the park, so you need not be a patron at that moment to avail yourself of them. Starbucks also will happily grant access to the rest room as well for nursing mothers, especially after the bad press they received a couple of years ago for asking nursing mothers to move to a private place.

And, just remember, by law you are entitled to nurse wherever you feel it is appropriate for your baby, even if it is in public. I do, however, understand the nature of wanting to keep it private/semi-private as that is what the mothers in my family have chosen to do as well. I hope that this helps give you some ideas as to where you may find places.

[SeventhFloor]

why don't you use a breast pump, and take the milk in a bottle?

[roccos]

Just wear a nursing type garment. and a skirt or pants and top. you can nurse discretely so 'nothing shows'

[Terri]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

I actually had to ask my sisters-in-law about this and came up with a couple of places, depending upon where you will be in the city. Babies R Us in Union Square has a designated nursing room with gliders, chairs, changing tables, etc. The Gap on Lexington Avenue at 58th has changing rooms in its maternity department with chairs and all. Buy Buy Baby on 7th at 25th also has a couple of designated nursing rooms with gliders.

Now, aside from dedicated nursing rooms, they suggested that you might go to higher-end department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue or higher-end hotels that have bathroom/lounge facilities, as there are usually chairs upon which you may sit and it's not the same as being in public, since you're surrounded by other ladies.

Some museums also have nice, clean facilities that can be another option for nursing, and some restaurants do as well. Tavern on the Green, for example, has clean restrooms in Central Park, and I believe that they are required to be accessible to the public as a quirk of their lease with the city for being in the park, so you need not be a patron at that moment to avail yourself of them. Starbucks also will happily grant access to the rest room as well for nursing mothers, especially after the bad press they received a couple of years ago for asking nursing mothers to move to a private place.

And, just remember, by law you are entitled to nurse wherever you feel it is appropriate for your baby, even if it is in public. I do, however, understand the nature of wanting to keep it private/semi-private as that is what the mothers in my family have chosen to do as well. I hope that this helps give you some ideas as to where you may find places.

bmwguydc,

Thank you so so much for your tips. You have been so helpful. I appreciate it!
Wow, awesome tips for locations.!!
Thanks again!

[quelinda]

Any store dressing/fitting room. Macys has good ones and no one checks up on how long you're in there, but any will do.

[Terri]

Originally Posted by SeventhFloor

why don't you use a breast pump, and take the milk in a bottle?

Well, as I wrote on my original post she wont take a bottle that is why I have to nurse exclusively. I'm a stay at home mom so pumping was not something she got used to.. Thank you though.

[stjamesnfulton]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

I actually had to ask my sisters-in-law about this and came up with a couple of places, depending upon where you will be in the city. Babies R Us in Union Square has a designated nursing room with gliders, chairs, changing tables, etc. The Gap on Lexington Avenue at 58th has changing rooms in its maternity department with chairs and all. Buy Buy Baby on 7th at 25th also has a couple of designated nursing rooms with gliders.

Now, aside from dedicated nursing rooms, they suggested that you might go to higher-end department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue or higher-end hotels that have bathroom/lounge facilities, as there are usually chairs upon which you may sit and it's not the same as being in public, since you're surrounded by other ladies.

Some museums also have nice, clean facilities that can be another option for nursing, and some restaurants do as well. Tavern on the Green, for example, has clean restrooms in Central Park, and I believe that they are required to be accessible to the public as a quirk of their lease with the city for being in the park, so you need not be a patron at that moment to avail yourself of them. Starbucks also will happily grant access to the rest room as well for nursing mothers, especially after the bad press they received a couple of years ago for asking nursing mothers to move to a private place.

And, just remember, by law you are entitled to nurse wherever you feel it is appropriate for your baby, even if it is in public. I do, however, understand the nature of wanting to keep it private/semi-private as that is what the mothers in my family have chosen to do as well. I hope that this helps give you some ideas as to where you may find places.

Fantastic answer, I had to reply to your post instead of giving you a positive rating, because I had already given you a thumbs up in another post!