BF in Hong Kong

[Jeanmom]

I posted an exact question several months ago while planning a trip to HK. At the end, it wasn't really that bad. It all depends on the mom's altitude. While in HK, I usually nursed in the nursing room if they were available. Otherwise, I just nursed in public with a nursing cover(Using a Be Be Au Lait, love it. Having spent some much in buying one (US$35), it motivates me to continue nursing. ) Anyway, if a mom is more relaxed, usually everything will work out fine. If people do stare at you, shame on them!!! You are just feeding your little one and doing the best. I did nurse at Marks&Spence fitting room, Pacific coffee, Chinese restaurants, even on the bus once.

I don't know the age of your little one. My daughter was already 8 months old at that time, so she finished bfing rather quickly and got ready to play. So, it's really not a big deal. In fact, nursing had saved me LOTS of efforts in mixing and carrying the formula.

Good luck and welcome to Hong Kong!

 

[Jeanmom]

BTW, one time I just began bfing in a nursing room for 5 minutes and some people started knocking on the door. Within the next 5 minutes, they knocked 5 times. They knew I was inside and I did felt a bit uncomfortable at the beginning. But when I thought how rude and disrespectful they were, I just ignored them and let my little girl finish her feeding and came out without any gulit.

They are parents too, will they ever interrupt their kids and take away their food when they are happily eating???

Be brave and you should be really proud of yourself.

 

[fennho]

mich
hello! i guess u have managed to buy the nursing cover now? We shud plan to go out one day and nurse our babies together!

 

[michtan]

Thanks ladies for all the support, now i'm waiting for my loved baby nursing shawl. For the time being i'm using a normal shawl to nurse my baby in the public. Can't be borthered to find any nursing room since its not available everywhere.

Hey fenn, maybe we should teach the hongkong ppl manners!!! I was nursing baby downstairs at the park while my 2 gals were having fun at the playground. The hk residents stare as if i were an alien from outerspace!!!

 

[wanfamily]

Yeah - glad to hear other mums are doing it!
The first time I came to HK with a baby (2 years ago), my aunt - in -law whisked me off to the loo when she saw me attempt to feed my baby in a secluded corner of a restuarant. (With feeding top and shawl). I was soooo mad! This time (come here to live, with a new baby), I have had the attitude of ' there's no way I sitting on the loo to feed my baby'. I've brought a baby - la leche (best thing I ever bought) and have fed everywhere - including train station platforms and in shopping malls. If people stare, I find a quick stare back usually stops them. I think attitudes are changing - my in - laws haven't even raised an eye - brow when I have fed in the middle of busy family dim - sums and the doctors at the check up clinic have been very pro breast feeding. Good luck!

 

[geiboyi]

I just fed both my children wherever and whenever. Sometimes if I was actually with people I knew who might not be so comfortable then I would go somewhere more private, but for strangers in a public place I don't see why it should be a problem.

The IFC loos opposite the cinema have a baby room but there's only room for one person, so it's not always useful. I have gone up to the podium gardens in IFC (P4, life outside CitySuper) and fed the baby there. Pacific Coffees/Starbucks both comfortable.

But you are right - Hkers as a rule (I realise I am generalising, but ask around and you will agree) can't really be bothered to breastfeed (they can get there maid/mother to do it for them and have more time for shopping/sleeping/watching tv) and there is still a widespread belief that formula is actually better, because only poor people (in China...) breastfeed, and formula makes your baby cleverer anyway (look at all the tins with pics of babies in academic gowns... ). I could count on the fingers of one hand the HK (local) mothers I know who have breastfed for longer than a couple of months, max.

 

[mushi]

i agree with peanipod, looking around for a nursing room with a howling baby is 10 times tougher than just sitting in a quiet corner with little something draped around you....i normally carry a thin piece of cloth which is used to cover the pram when my baby is sleeping, doubles up as his blanket or my nursing cover when i need it to be....times square is the worst of all for BF. the room allocated for baby changing - mind u theer is no seating place there - i normally sit on the toilet seat!!! is dirty with no tissue rolls...plus every 5 mins ther is a knock on the door from jjust another girl who wants to use the loo!!....they should defi not have toilets in BF rooms.

 

[mushi]

gosh i just saw the govt website...times square got the consolation prize for the best baby changing room!!!!

 

[Nashua852]

Mushi, they mean the changing room on the 9th flr. next to page One. Not the one on the 1st flr. which is awful. The 9th flr. one has 2 changing areas, a bfing room w/ 2 seats, and extra amenities like a bottle warmer, it's nice, pretty and sanitary and is one of my favourites in HK. The only thing that can get irritating is the music they play on loop -- when bab was < 3 mos. it got irritating as you'll be sitting there forever. I suppose it's part of the charm of the place ;p

 

[mushi]

dear nashua852, pls. tell me where exactly this one is....i know the toilets on the 9th floor next to pageone (on the backside where there is also a lift) which also has a a disabled toilet but i could not find a BF area.....in fact i also asked the attendant who kept pointing down (she meant 1st floor) as she could not talk in english ...psl. do let me know as i go to times square quite often!