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

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?

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) 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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

1. Do you usually shop at one box store over another on a regular basis? NOT REGULARLY
2. Would you consider changing loyalty if the OTHER store offered a L/B room? NO- I SHOP AT STORES B/C OF THEIR PRODUCTS
3. Do you think you would spend more TIME at a store if such a room were offered? NO- WHEN I WAS NURSING MY SON I WOULD JUST USE THE EXISTING CHANGING ROOMS TO BF AND NEVER FOUND THIS TO BE AN ISSUE.
4. Do you think you would spend more MONEY at a store if such a room were offered? NO
5. Do you think you would shop at a store with such room MORE OFTEN? NOT NECESSARILY- AGAIN, FOR ME IT'S ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE STORE'S MERCHANDISE NOT WHETHER OR NOT I HAVE A COMFY SPOT TO BF
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)? IF A STORE WERE TO DO SO: CHANGING TABLE, GARBAGE CANS, SANITIZING WIPES FOR HANDS, UPHOLSTERED CHAIRS
8. What items do you think are nice, but not necessary for such room? TABLE AND CHAIRS WITH BOOKS FOR SIBS
9. Other comments for box store execs to take into consideration?
THANK YOU!!! Maybe we can make a difference!

**I nursed my son exclusively and plan to do so for my next child as the experience was wonderful for us both, but truly I didn't find this issue to be a problem. If I needed to go shopping, I would feed my son before we went inside or use a fitting room if necessary. I also found that I was more relaxed nursing my son in the backseat of my car and really would not want to sit and BF in a room with a stranger (even another BF mom).**

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!

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.

I would not use such a room if it was offered. I do not have time to spend an hour sitting in a fitting room when I am trying to shop, so I would either feed the baby before we went to the store, or bring a bottle.

Ditto everything AllisonF said.

We often shop as a family. If the baby needs to nurse and I need to go out to the car to do it, my husband will come along with sons 1 and 2 pretty soon. But if I am nestled with baby in a cozy nursing room, we all hang out longer.

I do think adding comfy places to sit (and to put your feet up for short Moms like me) would also be ideal. And a great way to sell more gliders, which both Target and WalMart carry. : )

ETA: I also have never been able to sit on a changing room bench and nurse or walk and nurse. I have to hold onto my breast as well. I am also a short woman with large breasts, but I hardly think we're a rarity!

What a great survey topic. Here are my answers:
1.Not too often do I shop at box stores. Fred Meyer is the closest I come, and would LOVE for them to bring back the "Ladies Lounge". This was a large-enough room that was outfitted with benches and chairs for nursing, on the way into (but separate from) the bathroom, so that nursing and diaper changing could be done in one relative area, discreetly.

2. I did go into other stores when I was nursing a few years ago. Before, I would rarely ever go into Nordstrom. Sometimes, though, their lounge was a great place for me to nurse. And I might even buy something too.

3.Yes. Otherwise, I often had to go back out to the car to nurse.

4. Yes. I'd happily support stores like these.

5. When I was nursing,yes. I think the familiarity/habit of going to those stores would stay on, even after weaning. (Pure speculation, here. But people are creatures of habit.)

6. Yep! They'd be better off carrying magazines that advertised some of the products they sell.

7. Bare-bones items: cleanliness! Chairs with back support and two, three seats for older kids; nearby handwashing station for before feeding; adequate light and air; maybe some low footstools for leg support (but not so tall kids would be hurt falling from them).

8. Nice, but not necessary: upholstered furniture; magazines that were kid-friendly; a selection of kids books. No toys, though-- they are just germ magnets, and no tv.

9. Nursing mothers deserve respect and privacy, and a clean place for their baby to eat. The bathroom is not a baby cafeteria!

I breastfed both of my kids for a little over a year. I used fitting rooms if there was not another place to nurse.

1. Do you usually shop at one box store over another on a regular basis? I shop at Wal-mart a lot, but I also go to Kohls and Target quite a bit.

2. Would you consider changing loyalty if the OTHER store offered a L/B room? Not really. I go to the stores based on product and price, not so much the conveniences... BUT if I was just out and about and decide to go browse a random store, I would pick the one with the mother's lounge.

3. Do you think you would spend more TIME at a store if such a room were offered? Oh yea. I know that I like to go to the stores and browse around and see what's new... I would have more time to spend if I didn't have to worry about leaving to feed the baby. Also, if running errands happens to take longer than planned, I usually find somewhere to park and nurse in the car. If I KNEW Wal-mart had a mother's lounge, I would be far more likely to go there, buy a snack, and nurse my baby in comfort.

4. Do you think you would spend more MONEY at a store if such a room were offered? Slightly... I might buy a snack or drink or something, but not much more.

5. Do you think you would shop at a store with such room MORE OFTEN? Yep.

6. Would it bother you if the store advertised baby items in this type of room? Not at all... actually, I think it would be a great idea for them to supply magazines with the baby products they offer. :)

7. What items do you think are necessary for such room (bare bones)? Padded chair with (preferrably) adjustable arm rests... I wouldn't want it upholstered, because that would be too hard to keep sanitary, but maybe covered in vinyl or something that can be wiped down... Diaper changing station, garbage can. OH! And those sanitizing wipes. They put them out for carts, shouldn't be hard to put some in a mother's lounge.

8. What items do you think are nice, but not necessary for such room? Magazines, play table for other young children.

9. Other comments for box store execs to take into consideration? I know that I personally have never been comfortable nursing in public. Yes, it's natural, but I just can't relax and feed my baby where other people can see me. If a mother wants to nurse in public, that's her prerogative, but I think it's nice to have an option other than the bathroom or dressing room. (I usually go in the dressing room, and while it's better than nothing it's still not all that comfortable...)

1. Do you usually shop at one box store over another on a regular basis?
Hmmm...well we shop at Wal-Mart a little more often than Target. But that is because we buy more pantry item groceries there.

2. Would you consider changing loyalty if the OTHER store offered a L/B room?
We would probably still have the same needs for the stores we shop in, but I would try and be extra (monitarily) supportive of someone who made a effort to be more BFing friendly.

3. Do you think you would spend more TIME at a store if such a room were offered?
Possibly. At least in the early days. My son is not at the age where I have to BF him during these types of outings anymore. But if we were to have another baby-yes.

4. Do you think you would spend more MONEY at a store if such a room were offered?
Yes, I would be happy to show my support. Even long after my children wean. :)

5. Do you think you would shop at a store with such room MORE OFTEN?
Mmm...maybe. It just depends. We shop for our grocery/health items at about 5 different stores regularly. I don't know if other families try and shop at one central location or not...Hard to say for us.

6. Would it bother you if the store advertised baby items in this type of room?
No, probably not.

7. What items do you think are necessary for such room (bare bones)?
A solid surface, decent chair. (One that can be easily cleaned.) A decent changing table. The room to be CLEAN! Ugh-was at Ikea a few weeks ago and needed to feed my son and the nuirsing room was disgusting-I wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. The only reason I used the room was because the place was insanely busy. Never again! Ick! Lol.

8. What items do you think are nice, but not necessary for such room?
Complimentary diapers.

9. Other comments for box store execs to take into consideration?
Of all the stores I can think of what store does every (most?) moms love? Target. I mean, Bored, sad, lonely, cabin fever suffering? Target!
Target should lead the way!
Until then these stores should make no fuss should a mommy need a dressing room to nurse. I know one girl who was turned away at WM which was just absolutely ridiculous.

Go J.!!! You rock!!!

1.Yes.
2.Maybe.Depends on how long I will be there.And if they carry all the stuff I need to buy.
3.Yes!
4.I think so.
5.Yes.
6.No.
7.a comfortable chair/rocker , changing area, diaper bin , trash bin , hand sanitizer, box of tissues.Most importantly it should be CLEAN.
8.soothing music, dim lights
9.Initially I always nursed in the car. Soon I realized that some stores have amazingly clean M. rooms - I always plan on going there now.I generally go to the mall for shopping and have started shopping at stores I never did before because they have such rooms.

Our mall has a lactation room very nicely done,& the Toys R Us/Babies R us has a lactation room also very nicely done with nice comfy seating,changing table wipes & diapers also a diaper disposal,hand sanitizer,the public restrooms were close by.
I BFed all my babies my last till she was 15 months old when I went into a store knowing that baby hasn't feed for a while i'll just stop & feed them I did at Target Cafe,the mall,Toys R US,any where we ate I put a blanket over us & I did it I didn't worry that there was no lactatin room for us to go & hide out in.The fitting rooms were for trying on new clothes I never used them to feed baby I choose to did it publicly it didn't bother me at all,I received compliments doing so.No I wouldn't stop going to a store because there was no designated bfing room to sit in we have our homes to feed our babies then venture out to do what we need to do after wards.

I'm sorry to say that I don't know what a "box store" is. However, I have always breastfed my babies in a fitting room. It's quiet, private, and most of the time, clean. I honestly don't think it would matter to me if there was a special room for breastfeeding moms. I certainly wouldn't stop using a store because it didn't have such a designated area.

didn't read others but her goes:
1. Do you usually shop at one box store over another on a regular basis?
Yes
2. Would you consider changing loyalty if the OTHER store offered a L/B room?
Not now, but I would have while BFing
3. Do you think you would spend more TIME at a store if such a room were offered?
Yes, if I was BFing
4. Do you think you would spend more MONEY at a store if such a room were offered? Most likely
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)? Comfy seat with arms, footstool, distractions for older toddlers along for the ride
8. What items do you think are nice, but not necessary for such room? music, a way to dim lights
9. Other comments for box store execs to take into consideration? When our grocery store had a play area and I had kids that were old enough to stay there, going to the grocery store was like being on a mini-vacation. I spent plenty of time wandering the aisles and making impulse purchases. Now they shut it down, so I get in and out quickly.

1. Do you usually shop at one box store over another on a regular basis?

Don't really shop at box stores anymore. I buy most of my stuff second hang and when I do buy something new, I'm not in there long.

2. Would you consider changing loyalty if the OTHER store offered a L/B room?

A possible yes.

3. Do you think you would spend more TIME at a store if such a room were offered?

That would depend. When I was nursing, I just did it while I was walking around. She was usually in my sling so it was easy. This would have been a huge yes though when I had my first son and I was still new to breast feeding (and actually had money to shop with) I would definitely have spent more time there. I hated breast feeding on a bench in the bathroom (before I got comfortable enough to just keep walking around.) because it seemed so dirty so I would usually just leave if he got hungry.

4. Do you think you would spend more MONEY at a store if such a room were offered?

If I spent more time there, than most likely yes.

5. Do you think you would shop at a store with such room MORE OFTEN?

Depending on my needs, possibly.

6. Would it bother you if the store advertised baby items in this type of room?

Not particularly, no. Unless they went overboard on licensed characters.

7. What items do you think are necessary for such room (bare bones)?

Other than being CLEAN, comfortable seating for the mommas, and at least one changing station. My little ones ALWAYS went as soon as they were done.

8. What items do you think are nice, but not necessary for such room?

Pictures on the wall, soft lighting. Samples of baby stuff or coupons. Curtains since most mothers usually already have the items needed to their personal privacy.

1. yes, target because its just nicer
2.i would change my loyalty to a store for having a b/f ing room
3.loyalty and time would go hand in hand really
4.money/time/loyalty.....yes
5.frequency-----yes
6.i would not mind at all, in fact thats pretty clever
7,a comfortable place to sit and a hook on the wall for the baby bag, a door that locks and maybe a store catalog.
8. I suppose it would be nice if there were a t.v. installed in the wall, in which case the room could hold more than one mother at a time, and itd be nice to have cushions on the seating. The seating structure could rock.
9.i think you have it pretty well covered.

I am going to patronize any store that makes an effort to support breastfeeding moms. Because healthier babies are important to all of us. I do not mind having things advertised in those rooms, and if that would help support the idea, more the better. I would want to see a comfortable chair with arms on it, wipes, and maybe a few toys in case I had non-nursing siblings to keep entertained. I used to feed my son in our van with tinted windows, but that is not always the most comfortable. I would also like to mention that the stores are now required to offer pumping rooms for their breastfeeding employees. So this could be a way to combine something good for customers and required by law.

1. I have never heard of a "box store" but I love Target and have to go to Wal Mart sometimes. I do go to Target by preference.
2. I think I might not totally change loyalty, but I would be incredibly vocal (and have been) if a store is more welcoming of nursing shoppers.
3. I would feel better taking more time, and usually nurse in a fitting room. Unfortunately, older children can escape under fitting room doors, so a nursing room would be much better (and DEFINITELY better than my car!).
4. Not sure if I would spend more money, maybe if I made more money. :)
5. I would probably shop at the store more often, yes.
6. I wouldn't be bothered by advertising--I'm pretty immune.
7. Bare bones--a comfortable seat, sink, short table for drink or other items, changing table that can be sanitized. A lock/sign indicating in use or if it is for more than one mom, asking someone to knock. Seating should be arranged that people outside the room can't see the nursing mom.
8. Nice would include a small toy bin or activity table for other children (we often have them in tow after all).
9. Too tired to think much more right now. I've usually had employees show me to the best fitting room, but I've also nursed in the middle of the shoe department at Target. :)

1. Do you usually shop at one box store over another on a regular basis?

Target. Better quality. Easier location.

2. Would you consider changing loyalty if the OTHER store offered a L/B room?

It would depend on a lot of factors, but that would certainly help.

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?

Probably. Because we'd be there longer.

5. Do you think you would shop at a store with such room MORE OFTEN?

Likely.

6. Would it bother you if the store advertised baby items in this type of room?

NOPE. I'd see it as opportunity.

7. What items do you think are necessary for such room (bare bones)?

A changing table. A trash can or other diaper pail. A comfy, CLEAN seating area. A lock or a sign saying please knock.

8. What items do you think are nice, but not necessary for such room?

Table, Toys for other kids, curtained sections for multiple moms who may be shy. Sinks.

9. Other comments for box store execs to take into consideration?
THANK YOU!!! Maybe we can make a difference!

Look at malls that have clean, friendly family areas. Our local mall has a FANTASTIC family rest area near the food court. The large toilet room has sinks and toilets for kids and adults. You can easily get a stroller in there, or a wheelchair if you are helping someone. Then off to the side they have counters with curved spots for changing, a microwave, bottle warmers and sinks. Three or four parents can be doing something in that area (the microwave and bottle warmers are off to the side, not ON the changing area). Then there is a little area for kids to play and watch TV and three cubbies with chairs and a table and a curtain - for whatever. I used them for nursing but also for changing my kid's clothes, or mine, if she spat up on me. Very nice! I've also seen families take disabled children to those cubbies for quite, private tube feeding.

Our local BRU has a nursing room (mothering room) too, but they have not always maintained it. If the seating starts to look gross, go to Ikea and get a new couch or chair. It's worth it to look clean to your customers. And run a Bissel carpet cleaner or something over the rug sometimes.

I saw the other post and I will say that it does depend on the store to keep it as clean as any other area. Our mall does a fantastic job and when the curtains started to wear a little, they quickly replaced them. The store would have to make it a priority.

While I also used dressing rooms (or carried her in my arms, but when she got bigger, that was harder...never learned how to nurse with a sling), sometimes the staff would get antsy about me being in there for so long and come knocking.

Heck if a store even had somewhere to SIT, I'd frequent them more often. I didn't need to be sequestered, just seated. I personally use a shawl, but a lot of moms don't and I think we need to normalize breastfeeding in some fashion in this country.

1. Do you usually shop at one box store over another on a regular basis? Target more than Wal Mart
2. Would you consider changing loyalty if the OTHER store offered a L/B room? No
3. Do you think you would spend more TIME at a store if such a room were offered? Absolutely - I have to go sit in the bathroom or dressing room and nurse when I shop now - not fun! Even if I feed baby before I leave he may get hungry much quicker than I anticipated and/or I may need more time to shop.I HATE feeding baby with a bottle because then our breastfeeding schedule is off. I am engorged an hour after he has the bottle and he is nowhere near ready to eat again!

4. Do you think you would spend more MONEY at a store if such a room were offered? Yes - more time to shop probably equals more money spent.
5. Do you think you would shop at a store with such room MORE OFTEN? Maybe
6. Would it bother you if the store advertised baby items in this type of room? Not at all
7. What items do you think are necessary for such room (bare bones)? - sink, comfy chair/rocker, changing table
8. What items do you think are nice, but not necessary for such room? play area for my older kids to play while I nurse - but they must stay in same room with me where I can see them.
9. Other comments for box store execs to take into consideration?

1. Do you usually shop at one box store over another on a regular basis?
No, I do not
2. Would you consider changing loyalty if the OTHER store offered a L/B room?
No, I would not loyalty is price based
3. Do you think you would spend more TIME at a store if such a room were offered?
No, with kids I want to get in and get out ... I would spend more time if there was a romper room where I could drop him off for an hour for 10 bucks!
4. Do you think you would spend more MONEY at a store if such a room were offered?
No, I buy what I buy from certain places for certain reasons
5. Do you think you would shop at a store with such room MORE OFTEN?
When I did need to nurse when shopping at those types of stores I just went into the dressing room and said feeding time! They gave me a room and a smile. Typically I wore a wrap where I could nurse and keep shopping with no one knowing what was going on (most thought he was sleeping).
6. Would it bother you if the store advertised baby items in this type of room?
No, it makes sense.
7. What items do you think are necessary for such room (bare bones)?
Comfortable seating no matter the mom's size, a small table/bench to put your diaper bag on and other things, small mirror, sanitary wipes.
8. What items do you think are nice, but not necessary for such room?
Nursing pads
9. Other comments for box store execs to take into consideration?
Just make sure that mom's feel welcome and other moms know you CAN use a dressing room.

I breastfed my daughter for 17.5 months. I would seek out stores that had lactation rooms, like Babies R Us or Nordstrom. If I was at the mall, I would either go to Nordstrom or Motherhood Maternity and bf in one of their changing rooms. I would also go in any changing room of any store if I had to bf -- no big deal. I never had anyone ask me to leave or even bother me. So, I think it is nice to have designated places to bf in stores; however, there are options (changing rooms) anywhere.

I didn't need any extras in the room -- just a clean place to nurse that had a curtain to pull for privacy.