One of our early visits to a Giants game at AT&T Park.
Baseball is back for 2016! I grew up going to baseball games with my entire family. As a kid we sat in the cheap seats at Dodger Stadium, eating hot dogs and peanuts. My mom was the biggest baseball fan in the family and even when the kids moved away we still met up at games, so its no surprise that my family has adopted this tradition. Mia's been to quite a few games since she was born and AT&T Park is a great place for kids as well as adults (check out my tips on taking your baby to a Giants game here)!
When Mia was nursing I fed her in our seats, but I still checked out the lactation room and let's just say I was not impressed. It's currently a glorified closet (there were usher's jackets stacked up that someone moved when we entered.) I'd love to see a great family room at AT&T Park, and here's some inspiration the Giants can draw from. Check out some of these incredible lactation rooms at stadiums around the country!
Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, MA
The Mamava lactation pod under the stands at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Photo courtesy Mamava.com
Last year the Red Sox added a Mamava nursing pod to their set up at Fenway Park, the oldest Major League Baseball park in the US. Given its age there probably isn't the room to build spacious accommodations like you'll find in newer parks, so the Mamava is a perfect option. The pod is built for one mama and baby at a time so it's not huge, but it's private. Sometimes that's all you need.
Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cinncinnati, OH
Photos courtesy Cincinnati Reds/Major League Baseball
The Pampers Nursing Suite in Great American Ball Park is clearly something the Reds are proud of. They tout it highly on their website, and why wouldn't they? The space is perfectly decorated—I can totally see a die-hard Reds fan recreating some of the designs in a home nursery! The suite has an attendant and is stocked with diapering products, along with comfortable chairs for nursing or pumping.
Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, DC
The Lansinoh Lactation Room at Nationals Park opened in 2015 after one mom started a Change.org petition to get better accommodations for nursing families. The Nationals responded with a family friendly space that looks like a great place to watch a game and make sure the kids are clean and fed at the same time.
So whaddya say Giants? While fans can always nurse in the stands, having one of these sweet spaces for families to hang out seems like an excellent addition to our already incredible stadium!