Breastfeeding in public? Nursing room in malls?
- Thread starter lbs23
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starbucks2
Registered User
I used a drape when I was feeding in public and would not be comfortable without one. I fed #1 to 11 months and he got used to the drape fine.
Not as difficult as I thought
I went to HK in November 2009 when my LO was 6 months old with my mum and stayed with my grandmother. It was a last minute decision and I went into overdrive panic about bfg. In the UK we can pretty much bf where we want and most of the time without drawing too much attention. One particular friend told me that I would have to make compromises if I wanted to bf in HK ... ie I may need to feed LO in the loos! Having not been to HK for 10 years this was not very positive at all.
Anyway, we arrived, and I was so very surprised to see that there were nursing/feeding rooms in many shopping malls and department stores, even in the NT - we live in Tai Po - AND they were so very clean... so much cleaner than the UK, so HK gets a massive thumbs up from me for bf facilities! Not once did I have to feed my LO in the loo.
I even bf in a courtyard in Fanling, and a few coffee shops around Kowloon. Clearly, this is an issue to do with how comfortable you are about bfg in public in HK - and I for one, was very consciencious about it, and my mother was even worse, but she soon relaxed and we just got on with it. I was discreet of course, but covering up was never going to happen since that makes my LO want to know what's going on outside even more!
The baby room in Pacific Place is lovely, it's an egg shaped pod, with low lighting, soap and large disposable changing mats (paper sheets). However, be aware there were times women were just using it to take a nap or something...(not once did I believe any were expressing either!). Elements is fab! Festival Walk is just great if not a little cool. There are two feeding rooms with changing facilities and two changing stations in the main area.
Good luck!
I went to HK in November 2009 when my LO was 6 months old with my mum and stayed with my grandmother. It was a last minute decision and I went into overdrive panic about bfg. In the UK we can pretty much bf where we want and most of the time without drawing too much attention. One particular friend told me that I would have to make compromises if I wanted to bf in HK ... ie I may need to feed LO in the loos! Having not been to HK for 10 years this was not very positive at all.
Anyway, we arrived, and I was so very surprised to see that there were nursing/feeding rooms in many shopping malls and department stores, even in the NT - we live in Tai Po - AND they were so very clean... so much cleaner than the UK, so HK gets a massive thumbs up from me for bf facilities! Not once did I have to feed my LO in the loo.
I even bf in a courtyard in Fanling, and a few coffee shops around Kowloon. Clearly, this is an issue to do with how comfortable you are about bfg in public in HK - and I for one, was very consciencious about it, and my mother was even worse, but she soon relaxed and we just got on with it. I was discreet of course, but covering up was never going to happen since that makes my LO want to know what's going on outside even more!
The baby room in Pacific Place is lovely, it's an egg shaped pod, with low lighting, soap and large disposable changing mats (paper sheets). However, be aware there were times women were just using it to take a nap or something...(not once did I believe any were expressing either!). Elements is fab! Festival Walk is just great if not a little cool. There are two feeding rooms with changing facilities and two changing stations in the main area.
Good luck!
Brilliant! I would love to know more. I had no ideas there was a BF room in Festival. I too live in Tai Po and had no idea they were there. Where are the BF places in Tai Po?
I just realised the other day how much of a "no no" it can be to do it in public places. I tried the other day and got a big talking to by a woman that, "there was a man close by and I musn't do it".
I just realised the other day how much of a "no no" it can be to do it in public places. I tried the other day and got a big talking to by a woman that, "there was a man close by and I musn't do it".
Last edited:
rani
Administrator
I too believe that it is important for mothers to feel comfortable to breastfeed and so anything that makes you feel more comfortable is worthwhile.
Here is an article that gives us something to think about,
Covering up is a feminist issue
Covering up is a feminist issue | PhD in Parenting
Best wishes,
SARAH
Here is an article that gives us something to think about,
Covering up is a feminist issue
Covering up is a feminist issue | PhD in Parenting
Best wishes,
SARAH
Peachstyle
New member
I understand that it's up to the mum to do whatever she feels comfortable with. Personally, however, even though I was initially worried about breastfeeding in public in Hong Kong, I now don't even think about it. I do it whenever baby needs it, whether I'm on a bus, on the star ferry, in a restaurant, etc, just by hitching up my t-shirt. I've never had any comments, and if people look to see what I'm doing I just give them a big smile because I'm proud of myself. The more you do it in public, the more it will become second nature, so give it a go. I don't feel comfortable having to sit in a lonely, quiet bf room when out, so my choice is to do it wherever I like. Like I said though, it's up to the individual mum, but don't feel bullied into having to hide away if that's not what you want to do.
I am so proud of you, Momma. Wish there are lot more moms like you. Some people's attitude towards breastfeeding in public is so 'negative' - I don't see why moms should hide themselves away with their baby like they are doing something 'disgraceful'!!! One of my colleagues mentioned the other day that her sister-in-law breastfeeds her baby in the living room in the presence of her father, mother, and brothers. I asked, "What's wrong?" She pulled her face long and said, "So shameful". This attitude puts me off.
I think that Hong Kong is perceived as a very breastfeeding unfriendly place and a place where everyone disapproves of breastfeeding in public. But I don't think this is really the case.
In 1999 a mother of a four month old was asked to stop breastfeeding in the Peninsula Hotel lobby. About 20 mothers and babies then held a protest about this. This became big news in the newspapers over the next two weeks with one paper selling the story on to the next. Finally the TV stations joined in too.
There was a Cantonese TV programme which held a telephone line vote. The programme didn't question that breastfeeding was the best. Their question was, Is it acceptable to breastfeed in public?
55% of voters said yes and 45% said no.
Since this time the breastfeeding initiation rate in Hong Kong has increased from 50% in 1999 to over 70% now. So I believe that even more than 55% would now agree that breastfeeding in public is acceptable.
If you feel comfortable to breastfeed in public I would encourage you all to do so. It is only by everyone seeing that this is a normal activity that it truly will become a normal activity.
Best wishes,
SARAH
In 1999 a mother of a four month old was asked to stop breastfeeding in the Peninsula Hotel lobby. About 20 mothers and babies then held a protest about this. This became big news in the newspapers over the next two weeks with one paper selling the story on to the next. Finally the TV stations joined in too.
There was a Cantonese TV programme which held a telephone line vote. The programme didn't question that breastfeeding was the best. Their question was, Is it acceptable to breastfeed in public?
55% of voters said yes and 45% said no.
Since this time the breastfeeding initiation rate in Hong Kong has increased from 50% in 1999 to over 70% now. So I believe that even more than 55% would now agree that breastfeeding in public is acceptable.
If you feel comfortable to breastfeed in public I would encourage you all to do so. It is only by everyone seeing that this is a normal activity that it truly will become a normal activity.
Best wishes,
SARAH