Lack of family friendly facilities in malls makes it tougher for mothers
Scarcity of appropriate amenities in malls forces women to change and feed their babies in public
Lily Wang was waiting in a queue of about 10 mothers outside one of the few nursing rooms in a big shopping mall. In the end, she gave up and went home to feed her hungry 20-month-old son.
"Each mother took about 20 minutes," Wang said of her experience in a department store at Cityplaza in Quarry Bay. "I eventually left the queue, gave up shopping and rushed home."
Wang said the small number of family friendly rooms in malls made it tough being a mother. "Often, the room is on the top floor without clear signage. Many are forced to change their babies on benches in public areas."
She said Japan and Singapore did a much better job by offering mothers almost everything they needed. "In Japan, they have reachable wash basins … and warm water and alcohol liquid for cleaning. In Hong Kong, it's ironic that the government promotes breastfeeding but gives mothers little support."
Patricia Sham, a working mother who runs a head-hunting business, is also upset by the bad shopping experiences she has had with her 11-month-old son.
"In Festival Walk, for example, it's frustrating to go up and down not knowing where to change or feed the baby. There aren't enough seats [around]. Same in Pacific Place," she said.