Breastfeeding (nursing) at Rustan's Shangri-la

One of my favorite malls here in Metro Manila is Edsa Shang-ri La Plaza Mall. I like it because it's not congested. Plus, it is very close from our house. (I live in Shaw, Mandaluyong). But when I was pregnant, I began hating going to this mall after an incident with a not-so pregnant-friendly elevator staff.

I went to the mall once when I was heavily pregnant with Sam and had to use the lift. When the doors first opened, it was jam-packed with abled-looking adults so I waited for the next one. The second time it opened, an elderly on a wheelchair was waiting beside me but neither of us got in because it was still packed. By the third time it opened, I put my foot down and talked to the girl manning the elevator about my obvious condition and then pointed to the elderly on a wheelchair and told her why we had to use the elevator. I am sure those abled-looking adults are more capable of using the escalator than me or the elderly beside me. But I think it should not have come from me to have pointed it out. It should have occured to the girl manning the lift.

When I gave birth to Sam, my next dilemma when I go to malls, even high-end ones, is finding a breastfeeding station or a changing table, at least. I do not understand why it hasn't become a standard to put changing tables inside the toilets. I am happy to read though that Shangri-la Plaza Mall now has a breastfeeding station which I have yet to visit. Let me share to you though Rustan's Shangri-La Plaza Mall's own breastfeeding (or nursing) station.

I chanced upon Rustan's breastfeeding station when, while buying stuff for Sam (an excuse to shop for him even if he does not really need them), he soiled his diapers.

Here's my conversation with five staff (!) when I was looking for a place to change Sam's soiled diapers.

 
Me: Excuse me, where is your breastfeeding station?
Staff: Wala po kami noon. 
Staff 2: Ano po yun ma'am?
Me: Breastfeeding section. Iyong pwede ka mag-change ng diaper and mag-feed ng baby. 
Staff 3: Ay wala po kami noon.
Staff 4: Ano po ba yung hinahanap nyo?
Me: Breastfeeding station nga. How come Rustan's Makati has one? Tapos kayo wala? 

A fifth staff who approached me finally knew what I was talking about.

Staff 5: Ahhhh ma'am, meron kami dito nursing station, pero breastfeeding station wala po. 
Me: (Duh!!!!???????? But I calmed myself) Miss, saan iyong nursing station ninyo? 

To my surprise, it was located beside the staff's office.

So here are some pictures of the newly renovated Breastfeeding (err, Nursing) Station at Rustan's, Shangri-la Plaza Mall. 

The walls are designed with cute fairy decors. I think they are more for the moms than anyone else.

Clean and sturdy changing table. Please clean it before and after use.

Comfy seats. It's nice that they have pillows availble here.

Cushioned flooring.

Saffron comfy on a bean bag.

A proud moment: I am still breastfeeding my 13-month old! Clap!

So when you are at Rustan's, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, do check it out.


- Mommy Raquel

Shopping is more fun with breastfeeding stations around

Mommies, you don't need to cram inside smelly toilets or pay P10 for some luxury to change an irritable baby's diaper when at Shangri-la Plaza Mall. Just head to the mall's breastfeeding station at level 2, in between The Ramp and Planet Sports, and get that quiet nook that you need.


The breastfeeding station not only has two diaper changing mats but it also comes with outlets for pumping milk, a refrigerator to keep them cold, and a kettle for hot water to heat them up.


The room is very spacious and may accommodate up to five breastfeeding moms, all seated, at the same time.


And if nature's calling, the room is just adjacent to a ladies' toilet.


A clean and full baby and a refreshed mommy make for two very happy shoppers.


Thank you Shangri-la Plaza Mall!

Individual sofas.

Other amenities.

Two diaper changing stations.

Wash bins.

- Mommy Smiley

Breastfeeding at SM

And here's the Breastfeeding Station at SM North Edsa. It's located in between Bench Fix and Silverworks on the ground level of the Main building.

The breastfeeding area comes with a wash bin, and is also equipped with outlets for the mommies who need to pump their milk. A toilet is located just outside the room so you need not wait in line at the public cubicles.

Sofas.

Before you leave, don't forget to sign the guest book with a word of "Thanks!"

- Mommy Smiley 

SM answers breastfeeding issue

Update: SM has cleared that it has no policy disallowing breastfeeding moms from nursing in public inside their malls. Due to the reported incidents by blogger Eliza Santiago-Ypon, SM Breastfeeding Program Director Berna Velasco also renewed the mall’s support for breastfeeding which is evidenced by the breastfeeding stations provided as a courtesy to nursing moms. Read more about it here.

See the earlier post about it here.

- Mommy Smiley

Moms stopped from breastfeeding in public at SM Malls

It is hard enough to begin breastfeeding, and harder still to sustain it. So it is disturbing to hear news that some nursing moms have recently been told to stop breastfeeding in public at SM Supermalls. And this is after I even blogged about SM and tagged them as breastfeeding-friendly malls for putting up breastfeeding stations. Apparently, the opening of the said stations gave some security personnel an excuse to bar moms from nursing in public. Blogger Eliza Santiago-Ypon narrated the story of a breastfeeding mom who was stopped from nursing at a doughnut shop in SM Megamall. Read how she put SM Supermalls to task with her open letter. Another nursing mom blogged about her similar experience in SM Davao.

I can't say that I was lucky after breastfeeding Caitlin in public at SM Megamall twice since August without incident as no nursing mom should feel harassed nor embarrassed for doing so proudly.

Although not totally told to stop breastfeeding, I have my share of discouragement when I tell friends or family that I plan to nurse Caitlin for as long as she wants to. If that’s the case, I could be breastfeeding until she starts walking! As a stay-at-home mom, the choice came easy to me. But the wide-eyed shocked reactions reveal more than what they could possibly say that I began to doubt myself.

But thanks to breastfeeding advocate and founder of Babymama Mi Ann Reyes-Oblea, I am no longer bothered. I agree with her that what’s important is both mommy and baby are happy and healthy.

 

So in case you ever get to doubt yourself, listen to what she has to say and just go on breastfeeding.

 

“If they say or look discouraging, it's out of sheer ignorance and bias. Some people think it's gross na naglalakad na at nag-uusap na ang baby. I think it's the sweetest thing in the world when my daughter says "can I have boob" or when my son says "boob" and presses down on my breast.

By the way, normal weaning age of babies is between 3-4 years old. This is completely normal behavior and is the best for baby not just at the present but even to prevent baby from developing diseases in the future.”

- Mommy Smiley

Breastfeeding-friendly malls

I finally tried the Breastfeeding Station at Eastwood Mall and it was a pleasant experience. My hubby and I were actually ready to go home because the little one needs feeding and unless we find a secluded or uncrowded restaurant then the car it is. Since she hit three months, Caitlin easily gets distracted during feedings. Her dad knows too well to get out of the room during feeding. Otherwise, it will be difficult to keep her latched on.

So the Breastfeeding Station inside the mall was a welcome surprise. We don't have to resort to the car after all. Located at the 3/F of the mall, it comes with a diaper changing table, a huge mirror located near the door so you can check whether your outfit's tucked in tightly where it should be before going out, magazines, and comfy sofas which can be separated by curtains. Above all, it provides the needed privacy and a lot of peace and quiet for nursing moms and their babies, whether they're easily distracted or not.

Apart from Eastwood Mall, SM also provides Breastfeeding Stations for its customers, counting 24 in its supermalls nationwide.

And with the passing of the Expanded Breastfeeding Law, working moms may ask their employers, whether they are in the government or private sector, to put up a little nook for them where they can feed their child or pump their milk in private. Tax incentives will be given to companies which will provide a place for their employees to nurse, express, and refrigerate their milk.

Breastfeeding Station at Eastwood Mall.

Comfy sofas.

Happy mommy and baby.

- Mommy Smiley