Updated March 28
Here’s another Philly first to make residents proud: In 1997, the city became the first in the United States to legally protect the right to breastfeed in public.
The progressive stance on parenting and women in the workforce continued a decade later, when the city mandated all job sites must accommodate breast-pumping. And in 2016, all public bathrooms in Philadelphia were required to have baby changing stations, including the men’s.
But that still doesn’t mean it’s easy to navigate the city as a new parent, where the ability to get out of the house and partake in human interaction can very well depend on whether a stinky diaper can be easily discarded, or if a baby’s hunger can be satisfied before they go into full-on maybe-an-exorcism-would-help? mode.
One bright, gold You Tried star for SEPTA’s ingenuity.
It’s the little things that go a long way for taking care of your little ones.
Billy Penn is here to help. We dug into local resources like Wee-Wander, Pennsymoms, La Leche League and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, scoured the forums and social media, and called around for details.
Our research produced this: A list of 43 parent-friendly changing rooms and nursing-friendly spaces around Center City. Go forth and breastfeed.
Ali’s Wagon
2017 Fairmount Ave.
It’s good that most “baby & kids” stores are chill with parents changing diapers or expressing milk, but Ali’s Wagon even has a Parenting Center. UPDATE: This location is reportedly closed.
Barnes and Noble
Multiple Locations
Known for their in-store Starbucks, not as known for their nursing-friendly policies (or their uber clean restrooms, for that matter).
The Bellevue Food Court
200 S. Broad St.
Changing stations in both men’s and women’s restrooms.
Breastfeeding Resource Center
Multiple Locations
The Bourse
111 S. Independence Mall
Mostly-abandoned food courts have clean changing room stations, apparently.
Burlington Coat Factory
Multiple Locations
Many Burlington Coat Factory stores offer designated nursing rooms. Check if the one nearest to you does.
Center City Pediatrics
1740 South St. #200
Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania
3401 Civic Center Blvd.
The Dandelion
124 S. 18th St.
Stephen Starr restaurants just get parents, it seems. Changing rooms are available in each of their tidy restrooms.
The Einstein Medical Center
5501 Old York Rd.
Elmwood Park Zoo
1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, PA 19401
Essene Market & Café
719 S. 4th St.
Many a breastfeeding support group meets here monthly.
The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th St.
Nursing room on the third floor, near the Sports Center.
Free Library of Philadelphia
Multiple Locations
Public baby changing stations abound at Free Library branches.
Front Street Café
1253 N. Front St.
After all, Fresh + (Parent) Friendly + Philadelphia is their logo.
Good Karma Café
Multiple Locations
They’ve got the seal of approval from Maternity Care Coalition.
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network
Multiple Locations
Hall-Mercer Child and Parent Center
245 S. Eighth St.
Ikea
2206 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
Feed your little meatball while eating a Swedish meatball.
The Independence Visitors Center
599 Market St.
Changing stations in both men’s and women’s restrooms.
The Kimmel Center
300 S. Broad St.
Offers comfortable, calm seating areas that are just as fabulous for intermission snacking as they are for breastfeeding.
La Colombe
Multiple Locations
Nursing is in, WiFi is out.
Lilypad
1234 S Broad St.
This is a nonprofit for and by families in the South Philadelphia area. Yes, breastfeeding is allowed here and changing rooms are available.
Macy’s
1300 Market St.
The third floor has a Women’s Lounge dedicated to nursing and breast pumping. Changing rooms are in every bathroom.
Mama’s Wellness Joint
1100 Pine St.
No Mommy & Me yoga sesh is complete without a potty break.
Martha
2113 E. York St.
Minnow Lane
2029 Frankford Ave.
“The path to natural parenting” comes with a space that is supportive (even encouraging!) of natural milk. Score.
My Fabulous Mama
1430 Walnut St. Suite 200
NEST
1301 Locust St.
While a NEST membership comes with its perks, everyone (including walk-ins for playgroup!) is entitled to diaper changing and breastfeeding.
The Nesting House
Multiple Locations
Nordstrom Rack
1700 Chestnut St.
Nordstrom champions customer service, and that means treating their littlest clients with care and compassion.
Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch St.
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Ave.
They’ve got a brand-new Mamava Lactation Suite in the Rare Animal Conservation Center.
Pizzeria Stella
420 S. 2nd St.
All of the lists out there in the World Wide Web agree that Pizzeria Stella is one of the most family-friendly spots in Philadelphia.
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic
Places that are for children need to be able to accommodate their parents. Please Touch does just that.
Reading Terminal Market
51 N. 12th St.
A tourist trap doesn’t sound as enchanting as a place to publicly breastfeed does.
The Shops at Liberty Place
1625 Chestnut St.
Changing stations in both men’s and women’s restrooms.
Solutions for Women – Pennsylvania Hospital
700 Spruce St.
Target
Multiple Locations
It’s in their company policy to allow women to breastfeed and change diapers as needed in their fitting rooms.
Temple University – Howard Gittis Student Center
1755 N. 13th St.
The Mamava can be reserved for use at the Student Center’s info desk.
Vagabond Boutique
37 N. 3rd St.
Co-owned by two women (and two mothers), Philly-area bloggers have praised the boutique for being gracious about nursing on their extremely comfy couches.
The Wells Fargo Center
3601 S. Broad St.
There’s a designated breastfeeding and pumping pod in the home of the Flyers and 76ers.
Whole Foods — Art Museum
2101 Pennsylvania Ave.
Immaculate restrooms with changing stations.
