Suitability of breastfeeding facilities outside the home: an audit of baby change rooms in shopping centres

Abstract

In an attempt to identify and audit breastfeeding facilities (baby care rooms) outside the home, this study considered their presence and suitability for breastfeeding in major shopping centres in a low socio-economic area. Only 48% of the shopping centres had baby care rooms, all of which were located either in or next to toilets and were indicated by a range of symbols and terms. The baby care rooms were audited for breastfeeding suitability using the NMAA (Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia) Baby Care Room criteria as an assessment procedure. Only 43.7% of the baby care rooms met all of the 8 NMAA Baby Care Room criteria. Reliability of this assessment process was moderate with a kappa of 0.52. In reviewing these criteria, it was found that more specific clarification of some of the criteria should be undertaken to improve the assessment process. Mothers need to be reassured if they wish to breastfeed in public places by using baby care rooms, that these rooms are suitable for breastfeeding. If breastfeeding is to be encouraged, since it is a healthy choice, it needs to be an easy choice--easy to do outside the home because there are suitable places to breastfeed.