Nationals Park (!!!) and Other Top Spots for Nursing Mamas

Breastfeeding? Good for you! A little shy about leaving the house for fear you’ll have to feed baby in public? You’re not alone. But you don’t have to hunker down at home! The DMV has some very nursing-friendly spots. Sure, according to the law you are allowed to nurse your baby anywhere you please, but many nursing moms—especially first-timers—feel the need for a little privacy. And by privacy, we don’t mean inside the stall of a dirty public restroom! Read on, we’ve identified the DMV’s best nursing spots.

Photo: Lansinoh

Nats Park
The Washington Nationals and Lansinoh Laboratories (they make the popular lanolin ointment and just so happen to be based in Alexandria, Va) teamed up to create this super chill lounge just for nursing moms, babies, and tots. The lounge comes with comfortable chairs for mamas, diaper changing stations, a play area for little ones, and—of course—TVs to keep track of the boys in red. Seriously, this dugout is so comfortable you might not want to leave.

Nationals Park
1500 S. Capitol St., SE (Navy Yard)
Online: lansinoh.com

Photo: OnCloudMom via Flickr

Women’s Lounge at Nordstrom (Pentagon City Mall)
Ask any experienced nursing mom to name the best public place to nurse your baby, and she’ll most likely say the Women’s Lounge at Nordstrom. Oh, if only every public space had a women’s lounge like Nordstrom’s! It’s quiet, large, comfortable, and there’s a room designated just for nursing. Sit back, relax, take your time. You could even take a nap. It’s that nice!

Pentagon City Mall
1100 South Hayes St. (Arlington, Va)
Online: nordstrom.com

The National Gallery of Art
It’s only fitting that you should feel comfortable nursing your baby while surrounded by stunning works of art, many of which glorify the mother and child. While there is no designated nursing spot at the gallery, there are plenty of quiet benches throughout the museum. You will find that the security guards and museum staff are all well aware of your legal right to nurse in public and willing to go the extra mile to make you feel comfortable doing so.

6th and Constitution Aves., NW (National Mall)
Online: nga.gov

Photo: grdncity1980 via Flickr

Sculpture Garden at National Gallery of Art
If a bench inside the museum is still a little too public for you, step outside and make your way to NGA’s Sculpture Garden where you’ll find quiet alcoves and cubbies where you can nestle in practically undetected. And you’ll be surrounded by beautiful flora and unique modern sculptures.

6th and Constitution Aves., NW (National Mall)
Online: nga.gov

Baby Gap, Babies R Us, BuyBuy Baby
Yes, of course, stores with “baby” in the name should have designated nursing areas, and all of these offer a Mother’s Room.” They aren’t always quiet, clean or un-crowded, but when you’re shopping and you hear that “I’m hungry!” cry, you’ll be able to respond without a hitch.

Locations across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia

Photo: National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center via Flickr

Air and Space Museum–Udvar-Hazy Center
This companion museum to D.C.’s downtown location features some of the more gigantic air and space exhibits, such as the space shuttle Discovery. It’s also newer and therefore offers “baby care” rooms with padded benches for nursing. It’s a great place if you like complete privacy for nursing. You can even lock the door!

14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy. (Chantilly, Va)
Online: airandspace.si.edu

Potomac Mills Mall
If you’re going to a mall that doesn’t have a Nordstrom, then it’s helpful to know that many malls have family restrooms, which are generally large enough to accommodate strollers and babies and toddlers all at the same time. At Potomac Mills Mall several of the family restrooms also feature a separate lounge area with a couch. It’s not designated specifically for nursing mothers, but that’s mostly what you’ll find there.

2700 Potomac Mills Cir. (Woodbridge, Va)
Online: simon.com/mall/potomac-mills

Photo: paulidin via Flickr

Austin Grill
Sometimes all you need is a seat (that’s not a toilet seat), and many nursing moms give Austin Grill the thumbs up for spacious bathrooms with fairly comfortable benches.

Locations across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia

The D.C. Public Library
We all know that having small children means you spend a lot of time at your local library. Here you’ll find music and story programs, playrooms with toys and crayons, and of course books, books and more books (that you can borrow for free!). You’ll also find a nursing-friendly attitude and plenty of chairs, benches, and couches tucked away in quiet corners where you can relax and nurse your baby undisturbed. Most libraries also have private rooms you can slip into for a few moments if you need to.

Various locations
Online: dclibrary.org

Do you know of any other great museums, stores, restaurants, or parks for nursing moms? Tell us in the Comments section below. 

—Jamy Bond and Ayren Jackson-Cannady