Breastfeeding in Oxford

[min912]

Hi, can anyone recommend some public places to breastfeed in Oxford? I was given a list by the hospital but it's not got that many places on it in central Oxford, and if anyone can suggest somewhere from personal experience that would be very helpful! Especially somewhere with a little bit of privacy - I'm not that experienced at managing to get everything out and in the right place without flashing... which I'd rather not do...!

thanks!

[LieselVonTrapp]

Surely all places now should accommodate this.

[OxfordPerson]

You can do it anywhere, the list is just places which are keen to advertise, I think
Borders cafe and Debenhams cafe are central and airy
(There are a lot of poky cafes in Oxford, aren't there? You don't want you elbows being jostled!)
Starbucks on Cornmarket has that bit at the back which has comfy seats and is up a few stairs and separated from the main cafe - would be quite private
HTH

[MrsBadger]

Cafes with an upstairs are normally a pretty good bet as the upstairs is always less busy and you can generally find a quiet corner.
Try Starbucks on Cornmarket or the High, or the one tucked away in the back of Borders (I like S'bucks because they have big armchairs and sofas not just piddly spindly chairs), Coffee Republic on George St, the Costa in Waterstones, Cafe Revive in M&S. The BHS cafe is normally quite empty but always smells of school dinners to me.

I'm not a big fan of baby rooms, but IIRC Debenhams and M&S have them if you want a bit more privacy. I have heard that Debenhams let you feed in their Personal Shopper areas but have never tried this myself...

(The library at Westgate is also worth a bash if you can rely on ds to be quiet)

[JackieNo]

I've also heard that the cafe at the Museum of Modern Art is OK, but it's down a huge flight of steps, so quite how you're supposed to get down there with a pushchair or pram I don't know! I think the key is to try to find a quiet-ish bit and have your back to as much of the rest of the room as possible. And the more you do it, the less paranoid you get that people are looking.

[JackieNo]

And Boots on Cornmarket have a parent and baby room upstairs with changing mats, adult toilet and a couple of chairs for feeding on.

[MrsBadger]

oh, I forgot Boots, well done Jackie

must be my mental equation that says 'feed for baby = cake for me'...

[min912]

mmm cake!!

Thanks for these - I know theoretically you should be able to feed anywhere, but, (and I genuinely don't mean this in a boastful way) I am quite large-chested (36G when measured last week) so it feels like a lot of flesh on display! I'm a first-time mum so I'm still a bit shy. Even after the experience of giving birth!!

Talking of feeding.. sounds like it's time... again!

cheers

[choosyfloosy]

The 'semi-official' bf cafe is The Magic Cafe on Magdalen Road? - not quite central but not far off.

Borders is NOT very comfortable in my experience - I did do it, but it was extremely brightly lit and it seemed hard to get the right support in the chairs. Also a lot of coming and going. Best if you can tuck yourself just beside the screen that is between the 'thoroughfare' by the door, and the main bit of the cafe. At least you can lean on the screen then.

There is a lift up AND down to the Modern Art cafe, and although it takes ages, once you are there it's a serious good'un and feels quite spacious for Oxford. Having said that, most of their 'comfy' chairs are a bit supportless tbh.

What's that cafe in the middle of the Covered Market that has a sofa and chair in it? I think of it as Georginas or Brothers ,can't remember which? If you get into town really early (which I always used to do, wondering where all the other 5am wakers were) I found that comfy and relaxed.

BHS canteen is not bad at all (first floor, like every other place in Oxford). Ditto Debenhams canteen, although their baby change is DIRE DIRE DIRE - there are two separate bits of room with heavy doors down a corridor. The first time you go, try and check it out without the pushchair if you can. Is your ds young enough to be in a sling? If so, take advantage!

Because everywhere in central Oxford puts their children's stuff on the first floor, people on the ground floor tend to be quite helpful about secreting your pushchair there for you to pick up later. This is an option at Modern Art too.

Boots first floor is quite nice - haven't checked out the actual facilities though. And handy for spare nappies etc.

will keep thinking...

[JackieNo]

(MrsBadger, you'll be needing to remind yourself of all this in the not-too-distant future, won't you?)

[MrsBadger]

(not on your nelly - I moved to a Small Town with doctor / cafe / shops / library / Waitrose within easy pramming distance for a reason y'know...)

[JackieNo]

But I bet there's no Starbucks. Or M&S. I think one of the first outings DH and I did with DS (our second DC) was to Oxford, and we went to Starbucks where DH held DS and young foreign girls cooed over both of them. DH was quite chuffed with the experience.

[MrsBadger]

we have a Costa [smug]

good point on the M&S though...

[choosyfloosy]

yes but the frigging queues in M&S! the baby will explode by the time you get to the till!

Tchibo quite handy as right next to westgate sainsburys, but a bit exposed possibly

children's library - there are some chairs and tables tucked away from the desk which are very quiet. and as a mum, if you ask, they will give you a code for the loos, although only change option is on the floor.