As the four of us walked casually to the Farmer’s Market yesterday, I began to dread that we were already at 90 minutes on the “baby clock” and I was very likely to have to nurse on one of the skeevy benches in downtown Berkeley.
Last time, when faced with the same decision, I opted to sprint home with the double stroller (enduring two blocks of newborn screaming and several more of toddler whining) in order to avoid that same ordeal.
Ahh, but I was in luck yesterday.
Yesterday was not only the Saturday Farmer’s Market, it was also Berkeley’s Earth Day Celebration Extravaganza.
So, we were treated not only to a four-story climbing wall, free strawberries, product giveaways, live dancing, and advice on further greening our lives but also Mom’s Breastaurant (get it?!), a very comfy tent specifically for nursing moms.
Nonie Veccia founded Mom’s Breastaurant so that nursing moms would be able to better enjoy summer festivals and streetfairs without being relegated to hot cars or enduring the sideways glances that we often get. Very cool.
In addition to the comfy chairs for the moms, there is a wee toddler play area and all the free diapers and supplies you could want. Such a great service — if only her tents were set up everywhere I want to be!
Hi Heather,
About the sideways glances: Nursing in public places has become much easier for me using the First Years’ nursing wrap. It’s like a poncho and it’s the most discrete nursing cover that I have found (it also covers the back, so that it covers you no matter how much your baby kicks and moves around). It comes in beige or black and is easily machine-washable.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4631187
They also sell it at the Babies R Us in Emeryville.