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Great Breasfeeding Rooms
Our list of the best breastfeeding rooms in town!
By Ng Hooi See
Nursing your little one when you’re on-the-go need not be nerve-wracking. Mother & Baby lists the best baby rooms we give our collective thumbs up to!
It’s becoming less unusual to see mothers nursing their babies confidently in public. But if you don’t belong to that same school of thought, there’s no need to huddle in the house. Sure, locating a private area to pump or feed your baby when you’re out and about is a challenge but decent private spaces are out there!
Wise to the needs of nursing mums, many malls these days offer comfy, gussied-up family rooms that allow you to nurse privately. Mother & Baby travelled the length and breadth of Singapore to compile a comprehensive guide to the niftiest nursing rooms available. In our report, we not only tell you where to find the best baby rooms in each region, you’ll get the goods on plus points to look out for and most importantly, what its fresh factor is. So if you’re chary of latching on your baby in the open, stash this list in your diaper bag!
CENTRAL/ORCHARD
Rating: 5 out of 5
Where: Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Basement 1 (near Unity Healthcare).
Boasting pretty pastels in a whimsical fairytale theme, you’ll feel like you are entering a magical wonderland the moment you set foot in this very eye-catching space. Each of its two well-lit nursing rooms is furnished with a comfortable leather armchair. In each private area, the mall management has also provided a small round side-table for your barang barang, wall hooks for your baby bag and a soft, adjustable light to create a calm environment for you to feed your little one. Not just clean, quiet and in excellent condition, we were bowled over by the attention paid to detail - there’s a lamp with sequin trimming, as well as a white chandelier that adds a fine touch to the magical theme. Top marks for the tasteful decorations and impressive upkeep.
Privacy: Two private rooms with lockable doors.
Comfort: Comfortable baby blue leather armchair in good condition.
Ambience: Stylish black and white baby photos in each nursing room helps set your mood for nursing. Together with the fairy theme and soft, cosy lighting, it’s impossible not to feel relaxed when you are in here. It’s one of Singapore’s best nursing rooms!
What's Available
• Power point (for the breast pump)
• Sink
• Soap
• Hot and cold water dispenser |
Also worth checking out:
1. Tanglin Mall, Level Three (next to toilet) - Clean and well maintained, this nursery-themed nursing space has two private nursing rooms with comfortable leather armchairs.
2. Wheelock Place, Level One (near office tower) - Tucked away in a corner next to Borders, this quiet, clean babycare room is done up tastefully and a pleasure to use. While there isn’t a separate nursing area, since human traffic is usually low, this is no big deal.
3. Paragon, Level Three (next to bathroom) - Private nursing room with sleek dark brown leather armchair for you to nurse in peace. Besides hot and cold water, bags are provided for diaper disposal. It’s quiet, clean and comfortable.
4. Tangs, Level Four, Playground (children’s department) - Two private nursing rooms furnished with leather armchairs. There’s a steriliser and a hot water flask, as well as a hanging mobile to keep your tot amused during diaper changes. Its soft lighting and plush, comfortable surroundings make this spot very conducive to nursing.
5. Isetan Scotts, Level Three (next to the cashier in the children’s department) - Big family room with nursing and baby-feeding facilities. Apart from two private nursing rooms, its two high chairs are a boon for parents with young children. Besides a hot water flask and water dispenser, it even has a Yakult dispensing machine for older children.
NORTH
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Where: United Square Shopping Mall, 101 Thomson Road, Level One (next to Mom Essentials and Growing Fun, #01-29/30 at Connectz.
Lime green walls featuring a teddy bear motif greet you as you enter this family room. Boasting three private nursing rooms, mothers can nurse their children in peace while dads keep themselves entertained in the waiting area by checking out the many United Square product placements on the wall. Brightly lit, clean and meticulously maintained, this nursing room is the one to dive into when you are in the neighbourhood!
Privacy: Three rooms with lockable doors.
Comfort: Comfortable lime-green leather armchairs make nursing a breeze.
Ambience: Clean and very well kept, the soothing yellow walls, bear/clown-themed wall paper, and blue, green and yellow striped doors create a cosy and comfortable atmosphere for breatsfeeding. Hand sanitiser is placed strategically outside the nursing rooms as a gentle reminder to mums to be mindful of their hygiene.
What's Available
• Power point (for the breast pump)
• Sink
• Soap
• Hot and cold water dispenser |
Also worth checking out:
1. Ang Mo Kio Hub, Level Three (next to Chrysalis Premier and DBS Bank) - Featuring three individual nursing rooms, each with a different kids theme, this very bright, cheery and pretty spot is a great place to nurse your child!
2. Singapore Zoo, Rainforest KidzWorld - Who knew that the zoo would offer a sublime spot to breastfeed? Two clean and well-maintained private rooms at Rainforest KidzWorld’s nursing room provide a welcome respite from the heat and a comfortable corner to nurse your child. Hot and cold water also available.
SOUTH
Rating: 4 out of 5
Where: Liang Court Shopping Centre, 177 River Valley Road, Basement 1.
With classic Japanese kiddy pictures brightening the walls, this baby room’s decorations seem to be inspired by Japanese anime. Done up in jolly orange and white, this homely family room is brightly lit, very clean and well maintained. A cheerful yellow curtain divider around a white and beige cushion bench affords nursing mums some privacy. The only downside is the noise from the pipes near the hot water dispenser.
Privacy: The room has a lockable door while the nursing area features a curtain divider.
Comfort: New white and beige cushioned bench.
Ambience: The orange and white theme, coupled with the brightly-lit room and cheery Japanese kid’s themed wall pictures make this spot inviting and conducive for nursing mums. Definitely one to keep in mind when you are in the area!
What's Available
• Sink
• Soap
• Hot and cold water dispenser |
Also worth checking out:
1. VivoCity, Level Two (next to Burger King) - Located next to the outdoor play area on Level Two, this big family room consists of six individual nursing rooms with several changing tables. But bear in mind that it can get noisy and messy on weekends.
2. Raffles City, Basement (next to Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar) - Modern nursing room with two private rooms. You’ll love the modern feel of this nursing room. A hands-free sink, automatic soap dispenser and speedy hand dryer make it easy for baby-toting mums to clean their hands. Also, the family bathroom is just next to it, with cubicles and washing facilities for both adults and children.
3. Raffles City, Level Three (next to Lift Lobby B) - This nursery-themed family room features two private nursing spaces and diaper changing facilities. Also has high chairs for feeding toddlers.
EAST
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Where: BHG Bugis, Bugis Junction, 230 Victoria Street, Level Three (children’s section).
This nursing room is embellished with bold yellow alphabet wallpaper and feels very much like a nursery. Clean and cheerfully lit, the two nursing rooms feature curtain partitions. We like the well thought-out changing pad design, since the raised cushion barrier around helps prevent wriggly babies from rolling off! Just outside the family room is a huge waiting area and play area ? a bonus for families with older children, who can play while their mothers nurse their young siblings in peace.
Privacy: Two rooms with curtains.
Comfort: Comfortable yellow-cushioned bench.
Ambience: Bright and cheery, clean and well-maintained, it’s favourable for nursing since you get the feeling that you’re in a child’s nursery. Although only curtains section off the comfortable nursing rooms, you’ll still maintain your privacy. There’s a seating area outside the nursing room, as well as a padded play area for kids.
What's Available
• Sink
• Soap
• Hot and cold water dispenser |
Also worth checking out:
1. IKEA Tampines (next to the restaurant) - Prettily fixed up with Ikea furniture and accessories, this happy-hued nursing room is well stocked with a diaper dispenser, changing pad liner machine and hand sanitiser. It’s busy during weekends, so get set to wait in line if you want to experience a smidgen of this Swedish baby heaven.
2. Changi Airport, Terminal 3 (several are located throughout the airport)- Clean and brightly-lit, the nursing room features diaper and hot water dispensers, while the frosted door gives mothers privacy while they nurse.
WEST
Rating: 4 out of 5
Where: IKEA Alexandra, 317 Alexandra Road (one is near the Ikea restaurant, the other is near the cashier).
Because of its strong kid-centric focus, such as their Småland play facility, kids’ meals and cool toys, IKEA consistently ranks as one of the more child-friendly stores in Singapore. Their nursing rooms are no exception. Like a page out of the IKEA catalogue, its clean and well-maintained nursing room is thoughtfully decorated (with IKEA furnishings, of course). There’s even a diaper dispenser (50 cents a diaper) as well as a changing pad liner machine (20 cents a liner), great if you’re absent-minded or have just run out of these babychanging essentials!
Privacy: A room with a lockable door.
Comfort: A comfortable beige fabric armchair with sidetable for your diaper bag.
Ambience: Bright kiddy pictures on the wall, colourful wall paper and comfortable seats enhance your nursing experience.
What's Available
• Power point (for the breast pump)
• Sink
• Soap |
If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
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