What is The Lactation Network?
The Lactation Network (TLN) is a Chicago-based organization that connects families with International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) so that more people have access to the inclusive care that they deserve. They also provide breastfeeding resources and work with health plans, employers, and healthcare providers to provide more comprehensive lactation care. Over the years, TLN has been setting a new standard for both parents and IBCLCs and recently they launched a new initiative to make restaurants more inclusive for breastfeeding families.
Making Restaurants More Breastfeeding-Friendly
Breastfeeding parents often face a variety of social and systemic barriers when navigating public spaces. These barriers range from the lack of private comfortable spaces to the societal stigma that is associated with breastfeeding in public. According to the Lactation Network, 1 in 5 women are ashamed to breastfeed in public and this is usually due to insecurities and fear of judgement from others. One public space that poses a challenge for breastfeeding mothers is the local restaurant. For most people a restaurant is a place of fun, community, and great meals, however, for a lot of breastfeeding families it can be a place of isolation and shame. So to address this issue, The Lactation Network recently launched the Room at the Table initiative in November 2024. Through this initiative, the goal is to make restaurants more nursing-friendly.
The Room At The Table Initiative
The Room at the Table Initiative encourages restaurants to create welcoming environments where postpartum parents feel connected, nourished, and safe by providing more support and accommodation. This program will offer comprehensive training for restaurant staff across the nation to properly address breastfeeding-related concerns with sensitivity. Restaurants will also receive recommendations on how they can provide more discrete nursing spaces. Restaurants that are participating in this program will receive a sticker that shows that they are a breastfeeding-friendly space. This will help to make families feel more comfortable and welcome from the moment they walk in.
Postpartum parents should never have to choose between nourishing their child and enjoying a meal in a public space. By partnering with restaurants across the U.S., The Lactation Network hopes to make breastfeeding a more normal part of daily life. It isn’t just about advocacy, it is also about cultural change, inclusion, and support for families.
Final Thoughts
Although postpartum parents have the legal right to breastfeed in public, it is still a concern for many who are worried about how they would be perceived and treated by restaurant patrons and staff. But through the Room at the Table Initiative, we can create a more inclusive environment where these parents feel welcome. We also hope that this initiative could shift societal attitudes about breastfeeding in public and encourage other industries to push for similar initiatives.
We hope you found this article informative, please don’t forget to share to create more awareness about the Room At The Table Initiative and how this will benefit postpartum families. Feel free to click here to learn more about this initiative. You may also be interested in a previous post on Breastfeeding In The Workplace Laws.
Sources
https://lactationnetwork.com/promo/breastfeeding-friendly-restaurant/#join-now
