Alexandra Merrett, the wife of Essendon's captain Zach Merrett, recently voiced her concerns on social media about the lack of breastfeeding facilities at the MCG, particularly during the Anzac Day game. She shared her frustration after being unable to find a suitable space for nursing, leading to her using a toilet cubicle instead.

Her post sparked a conversation, with many other new mothers relating to her experience. They shared similar stories of having to pump or breastfeed in toilet cubicles at various footy stadiums due to the absence of dedicated parenting rooms.

One commenter responded, "I wish I knew there was a breastfeeding room!" Another added, "I had to feed my baby on the toilet."

Despite some breastfeeding rooms being available around the venue, the issue of accessibility and awareness remains a significant concern for many new mothers attending AFL games.

Accessibility of Parenting Facilities at Sporting Venues Raises Concerns

Podcast host and mother Lucinda McKimm has highlighted that searching for appropriate breastfeeding or pumping locations can significantly increase stress levels for new mothers, potentially deterring them from attending sporting events like AFL matches.

"While parenting rooms at football venues are a positive step, their accessibility remains problematic," noted McKimm, who runs the "Ready or Not" podcast focusing on motherhood and career balance. "If even the spouse of a professional player encounters difficulties locating these facilities, we must question whether adequate support exists for all mothers, particularly those facing additional challenges such as language barriers or disabilities."

Australian stadiums have generally incorporated family-friendly amenities in recent years. The Melbourne Cricket Ground features four dedicated parenting spaces on its first level, equipped with private feeding areas, comfortable seating, changing stations, disposal units, and various conveniences including microwaves and sinks.

However, some facilities maintain restricted access policies. The MCG's Members' Reserve parenting room remains locked during events, requiring staff assistance to enter.

Hester Brown, who navigated the challenges of breastfeeding two children at various stadiums while her husband Ben Brown played professionally between 2018-2023, shared her experiences using the Docklands facility. She noted a positive development where some clubs, including Melbourne, now specifically assign staff to assist players' partners with parenting needs on game days.

Brown shared that many of her friends have faced similar challenges to Merrett when attending events at stadiums. She pointed out the difficulty in locating suitable spaces for breastfeeding, even when seeking assistance from stadium staff. The staff often either do not know where the facilities are or direct them to a location far away, which can be inconvenient, especially during crowded events.

For mothers who are still nursing but have left their children at home, or for those attending night games, finding a private space to pump is essential. Unfortunately, this often means using a bathroom cubicle, which is far from an ideal or comfortable setting. The noise of the pump and the general discomfort of the environment can add to the stress already associated with being a new parent and the emotional and physical demands of breastfeeding.

The time required for pumping can vary, ranging from 10 minutes to half an hour, depending on individual circumstances. This can be particularly challenging when there is limited time and the mother is unfamiliar with the stadium layout, making it difficult to find a suitable space quickly.

Mckimm highlighted additional considerations for breastfeeding mothers, such as planning around feeding or pumping schedules, ensuring all necessary equipment is available, and avoiding the painful condition of mastitis, which can occur due to blocked milk ducts.

These factors underscore the importance of reducing barriers for new mothers attending sports events, providing them with more accessible and comfortable spaces to feed or pump.

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