19 Mar 2010
Manawatu Standard
By Michelle Duff
Plaza One of The Breast Places to Feed
BREAST could be best in Palmerston North
In a competition to find the best public places in New Zealand to
breastfeed, The Plaza has been named as a top ten finalist.
While the worst places made mothers feel uncomfortable, asked them
to move or directed them to the basement, The Plaza was nominated
for its clean, easy-to-access mother's rooms.
The competition is being run by online maternity specialists
Breastmates, with spokeswoman Frances McInnes saying the aim is to
support breastfeeding mothers.
''The way people treat women wishing to breastfeed has a huge
impact on whether that woman will continue breastfeeding.''
Sadly, nominations for terrible places to breastfeed were also
received, Ms McInnes said.
One woman reported asking eight airport staff where the mother's
room was before giving up and feeding in the terminal.
Another mother asked whether a mall had a mother's room, and was
directed to a smelly basement. ''I couldn't feed in that horrible
cold little room, so I had to leave,'' she wrote.
Manawatu community birth services spokeswoman Aileen Devonshire
said though it would be ideal to be able to breastfeed anywhere,
many women were made to feel awkward in a public place. ''I have
heard stories from women who say they were breastfeeding in town
and were told they should go to the toilet, because it would be
more appropriate. If you're very private or nervous about how
people would respond to you, it can be very embarrassing. So it
means women do not go out as much, or when they are out they will
let their baby cry rather than feed them.''
Other places in Palmerston North should step up and make women
feel comfortable, she said.
Finalists include cafes and shopping malls in Auckland, Hamilton,
Christchurch, Tauranga and Rotorua. They were judged on water
availability, nappy change areas, tidiness, couches, easy parking,
stroller access, highchairs, sun protection, nice staff and/or
heating facilities.
Finalist locations will be visited by ''mystery mums'' who will
decide on an overall winner.
A breastfeeding support service is run at the Community Birth
Services building, 145 Queen St, Mondays from 1-3pm.
See the other nominated places
here