Baby-friendly Places

Hi A.,

A great place just opened in Menlo Park that is geared for babies on up. It is VERY kid friendly! It is called UME, (http://www.u-meplace.com/gallery/). There are play stations, a cafe, classes etc. Check out their website to see if it would meet your needs. From what I saw at the opening, they have changing tables with disposable liners, and, I believe, they might have a nursing station as well.

My kids are older now, but I so remember what it was like. Getting out of the house is important, not only for your baby, but for you too!

Good luck,

K.

Kepler's Books in Menlo Park, Day One in Palo Alto (in a cute little mall), Stanford Shopping Center, Libraries, Target or Babies R Us, Red Rock Coffee in Mountain View (you'd have to change baby on the carpeted floor, but you wouldn't be the first).... In terms of restaurants, I think it would be fine to call a place to ask if they have a changing station there (what a great way to advocate for them even if they don't!)

I can totally relate to wanting to feel confident you can take care of your little one when you go out. I felt pretty trapped when my 7 month old was a newborn. Here's some things that helped open up my world a bit:
-Keep errands/excursions pretty short, but do get out of the house. Some of my most frustrating experiences have been lining up a series of things to do and winding up with an unhappy kid halfway through my list
-Breastfeeding in the car or in a dressing room is a handy go-to prior to when you feel generally comfortable feeding in public. For me, a nursing cape and a strategic wardrobe (loose bottomed shirts, a scarf) helped me build up the skills and confidence to now feed anywhere and everywhere :) I've also enjoyed La Leche League meetings as a way to get out of the house and also to learn more about breastfeeding
-If you change your baby right before your errand/excursion, you really might not need to do so again for a spell. I know it sounds funky, but the back seat or (in a hatchback) trunk of the car works well. Again, dressing rooms can be handy here.

Hope you get a bunch of replies and Congratulations!

The Sequoia Hospital Health and Wellness Center has a WONDERFUL new parent support group. It's a great place to meet other moms and their babies, and the facilitator is an awesome lactation consultant. I don't go anymore because I went back to work, but it's a great space to share milestones, concerns, and questions. The center has a baby scale so you can weigh your baby. Since it's a total mom-friendly time, it is comfortable to nurse and diaper your baby there.

Wednesdays 9:30-11:30am (people trickle in, don't have to be on time)
749 Brewster
Redwood City, CA
FREE
Parents with babies 6 months and under

They are going to start a new group for 6+ month olds on Wednesdays at 11:30-12:30, but not sure when they'll start that.

Burlingame Avenue is also a nice street to stroll around, with lots of stores for babies/kids. There's a BabyGap on the strip there which has a nursing room for mothers to use. I agree, any mall with a Nordys or Bloomies is helpful or shopping centers with a Babies R us. I've tried dressing rooms too, which work. Although I admit I'd get self conscious because my son would make lots of noises! Worse case scenario, I'd always be able to just hop back into my car and toss on a breastfeeding cover as backup. :)

Most places in the bay area are great for taking a baby out. It is really more your comfort level of how out there you want to be while breastfeeding. In terms of changing diapers most places do have changing areas in the bathrooms, so I would worry much less about that and more on if you want to go somewhere private to breastfeed or if you are ok breastfeeding in public. I know someone mentioned Stanford Shopping Center. I just wanted to add that Bloomingdales there has nice large areas to change diapers and Nordstroms actually has a separate room to go breastfeed in (not just there general lounge type area off the bathroom).

Hi A.
Congrats on your baby!
I liked nordstrom's, fitting rooms versus bathrooms at random shopping stores, and the car when not around any "clean" options. Agree with trying to feed and change before you get out, and hopefully get home in time for the next feeding/changing, but of course that is not always an option. In general, i used to go the mall because i could walk around indoors and with places like nordstrom, it was clean and comfortable for feedings and changing. Valley Fair mall also has special family rooms where you can change, feed privately and even heat up water/milk in microwaves.

Hi A.!

Congratulations :) I agree with what others have said as far as department stores and bookstores and for sure the library, especially since there might be a good combination of baby friendly stimulation and quiet time. Our baby was born in December and (when weather permitted) our best outings were walks around the neighborhood or nearby parks. If we needed to nurse/change a diaper, we'd do it in the car (but some parks may have changing tables). The fresh air and excercise were great for mom, dad and baby! Good luck and enjoy!

Westfield Valley Mall, Nordstrom has a room with couches in the ladies restroom which is nice for changing and nursing

how about the library in your area or even a cafe shop? )