Discovering the need for family-friendly spaces

Posted on by Susie Strull

I have found that breastfeeding changes a person’s perspective of public places. How many breastfeeding moms have had the frustrating experience of searching for a quiet, peaceful place to feed a frantic baby—not necessarily for personal privacy, but because babies more than a few months old tend to be distracted by everything and will not eat unless it’s quiet. It’s pretty evident that city planners had no breastfeeding moms on board when developing public places (Pritchard Park? forget it)!

In light of this, I want to commend 10,000 Villages for being so actively supportive of breastfeeding. Twice the manager has offered—without my asking—the use of their backroom for changing/feeding my baby. Not only do they support women in developing nations with their fair-trade products, but they support women in our community by creating a safe and peaceful environment. I hope that more businesses in Asheville will follow their lead in creating family-friendly spaces.

— Susie Strull
Asheville

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3 thoughts on “Discovering the need for family-friendly spaces”

  2. Jon

    It would be great if there would be more quiet, private spaces for moms to breastfeed in Asheville.

    It would also be good if our society got used to the idea that mothers should be able to breastfeed whenever and wherever they like. I think many American regard Moms who breastfeed in public as being something akin to exhibitionists.

    I lived in Asia for 14 years. Although women there seemed more shy about exposing skin at the beach, there was much less awkwardness about breastfeeding in public. And I never remember seeing any men that would gawk when women did breastfeed openly.

    I think frankly Asians have a better, more natural apprach toward early childhood. I remember a discussion between a Nepali and American about where babies should sleep. The Nepali said something to the effect of: So you Americans will let your animal pets up in bed with you, but you force wailing babies to sleep by themselves?

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