Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Journey of a Breastfeeding (working) mom


NORMALIZE BREASTFEEDING :) STRIKE ANYWHERE!


Whenever I am out, with or without my little one, I always ask first where is the Breastfeeding station / Nursing station inside the mall.I am making this blog for me to be able to share the nursing stations that I have visited.

I want to share first the basics that i have with me when i travel without the baby.

1. Insulated Bag
  
photo By ebay: IGLOO INSULATED BAG
 2.Ice Pack
3. Milk Bottle Storages- I use Dr. brown and looney tunes




4. Electric/Manual Breast Pump- I decide on this based on the location i am going. If i know that there is a decent breastfeeding station, i bring my electric pump but if ever i know that i just need to bring a pump with me just in case i will be engorged, i use my manual pump.

For my Electric Pump, I am using Pigeon's Silent Electric Pump. We have been together for more than 2 years already, pumping day and night every 3 to 4 hours. hahaha Worth every penny!I bought it for P9,000.Very good investment if you are planning to go full breastfeeding with your little one.


For Manual Pump, I use precious moments.I bought it for P600 only. The performance is okay but i really find manual pumps tiring that is why i seldom use this.



5. Nursing Cover- I bring this with me if i am with the Little Munchkin. I use HooterHider ( i just love the name of this nursing cover haha)


Photo by Hooter Hiders

Now that i have discussed the basics,now let's move to the Nursing stations that i have visited around the metro.



ALABANG TOWN CENTER

Located at the Family Lounge 2nd Floor Near Corte de Las Palmas Side.



This is the BEST so far that I have visited. Very Clean and the ambiance is so cozy. They also constantly do an upgrade. Before they just had these comfy sofa chairs but now, all Lazy boy! Amazing right? They also have a ready to use bottle warmer, Diaper changing station with readily available hand soap and Paper towel. All of these are for free.


The Old Set up

The Old Set up
When they first modified the set up

Current Upgrade:  Lazy boy yeah!


Shangri-la Plaza Edsa

Located at the Level 2, near Crossings Ramp



They have cushioned chairs with arm rests and pillows, refrigerator, water heater, microwave oven,hand dryer, changing tables, electrical outlets. There is also someone who is ready to assist and keep the place tidy. 



                                                     Photo by Smart Parenting PH

Rustan’s Makati / Alabang Town Center

Located at the back of the baby section



They have a crib, but I would not recommend it for your little one if you do not have your own blanket as the beddings at the crib looks dusty. It also has a changing table and a small sofa. The sofas provided are good for only two breastfeeding/pumping mom so it gets crowded pretty easily.   What I really liked about also is they provided a liquid bottle cleaners that you can use.

                                                             Photo by Smart Parenting PH

Greenbelt 5

Located at 4th Floor Greenbelt 5


It has a private area and the curtain provides privacy to nursing mothers. It has a comfy sofa chair with arm rest  and foot stool. I just wish that they maximized the space so they can accommodate more mommies. Also, the lounge users could mistake the nursing area as another washroom. The lounge has kids’ play area, tree design bookshelf, a business lounge, computer area with wifi and restroom with changing table but take note that only the nursing/breastfeeding area can be used for free as the lounge can be used only by VIPinoy & Amore cardholders.




                                                 

Glorietta 4

Located near the food court



They have two private nursing cubicles, each with an electrical outlet, cushioned sofa chair and cushioned stool. The restroom is adjacent to the Nursing Room. There is a changing table in the restroom. The lounge has kids’ play area,  but take note that only the nursing/breastfeeding area can be used for free as the lounge can be used only by VIPinoy & Amore cardholders.
 




SM AURA

Located at the Family Lounge near the cinema
      From all of the SM Breastfeeding station, this is the best so far among the rest as it has its Family Room. There is a long counter which has a lot of  changing area and also a comfort room so that you don't have to go outside anymore. The main area where you can breastfeed is cozy though I am not quite sure if you are breastfeeding with other mommies as it only has two sofa chair, 2 additional chairs (like dining chairs) and a table.Quite crowded if filled with nursing mommies :D






 
Market Market

     Located at 2nd Floor inside family Lounge



      Their nursing station is so big and cozy. You have the option to dim the lights if your baby is asleep. Inside the nursing station  they have cushioned seats with armrests, side table with lampshade and you have your own diaper changing station,a sink with free soap and paper towel. 







Rockwell Powerplant Mall
   Located at the 2nd level



     Their nursing station is spacious and has a comfy breast feeding chair. It also has its own diaper changing station with sink.






      
Lucky Chinatown Binondo

Located at the 3rd floor, near the pay bathroom



It has plenty of seats (though it’s not as comfy as the others,) a sink, side table and a diaper changing table. Better than the usual SM Breastfeeding stations :D

                                                    
                              Photo by: Megaworld Malls Marketing Communications Team

Robinson’s Galleria

Located at the 3rd Floor East Wing



Though it’s clean, they only have the basics -- couch, sink and changing table. It was okay but a bit crowded even if you are the only one there: D. Also their nursing station does not have a proper air-conditioning circulation because I find it quite hot inside. You also need to have a nursing cover (if you are not comfortable being seen by others) as the chairs are facing the glass door. So if someone opens it, you can be seen from the outside. As mentioned, it has a diaper changing station inside but no complimentary soap or tissue. This nursing station is smaller than the usual set up of SM Breastfeeding stations as it can accommodate only two mommies.



 
SM Malls (Centerpoint Sta. Mesa, SM Southmall, SM Makati, SM BF Paranaque)



Most of the SM Malls have very similar set up. You can only distinguish the branches from the size of their nursing area. So far, the smallest SM Nursing station that I have visited was SM Makati. It also does not have an easy access electrical socket (for moms who will use electric pump)as you need to look for the janitress/janitor to ask for an extension cord because the socket is located under the sink. VERY small room but tidy. Their set up :Two enclosed area, with curtain dividers that’s quite small as well. Not spacious enough as it can only fit the sofa chair that they placed inside each curtained area. The sink is an arm away from the sofa :D Yes, that close.


SM MAKATI

SM MAKATI

SM MAKATI (waiting area inside the BFreastfeeding Station)

 
SM Malls Signage

SM Southmall

SM Southmall


SM BF

EVIA LIFESTYLE CENTER- Daang Hari Las Pinas City
(Location: Inside the female restrooms, Lower Ground Level, Building A (In front of Ace Hardware)

I frequent this place as i always do business transactions here. I got curious if they ever have a breastfeeding station and it lead me to it :D

The ambiance of the Mall is really like those if Resorts World feels. So i was expecting a bit much with the breastfeeding station because even their comfort room are really amazing. Nice interiors & lighting.

So when i get to see the place. It was okay but really needs refurnishing. It is creepy looking. I guess it's because of that Old wallpaper. I was actually curious that it was stained already like it was built 10 years ago.

Anyway, overall, the place was bare. With chairs and tables. The design of the chairs and tables are aligned with the mall concept. I just suggest really to change the wallpaper as it looks like somebody died there :D

Note to mommies: No electrical socket so it is either you are here to feed your baby or you are using a battery operated electrical pump/ manual pump.

Can accommodate two mommies at the same time. The door needs to be closed while feeding as you can be seen not only outside the Female CR (outside this room) and the actual mall walkway before entering the female's washroom.










* i will update this from time to time mommies! :)