SM Seaside opens facilities for mothers

A nurse checks on the diaper changing area (above) and the breastfeeding area (left) at SM Seaside City Cebu in South Road Properties.
CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO

Changing baby’s diapers or breastfeeding in the middle of shopping and enjoying a good time outside the house have always been a hassle for mothers.

But these baby emergencies are already a thing of the past when mothers are at SM Seaside City Cebu.

The mall recently opened its breastfeeding room at the second floor of the City Wing.

Diaper changing areas can also be found in some of the SM Seaside’s female comfort rooms.

Percy Irizari, assistant mall manager of SM Seaside City Cebu, said this is part of their efforts to become a mall that caters to everyone’s needs.

“SM Seaside is not only a shopping or dining destination. It provides a total mall experience. It aims to provide excellent service that would make an impact on the minds of mall-goers,” she said during the opening of the facilities.

She said the breastfeeding room and the diaper changing areas are part of SM Seaside’s value-added services to give convenience and comfort to all mall-goers especially the mothers.

Mothers just have to log in their names if they want to use the breastfeeding room. Only breastfeeding mothers can enter the room. There is also a mall nurse on standby in the room since it is located just beside the mall’s clinic.

As for the diaper changing areas, these can be found inside some of SM Seaside’s comfort rooms for women.

The diaper changing area is a welcome development considering that there is a proposed ordinance by Cebu City Councilor Pasto Alcover Jr. which requires the public and private establishments within the city to install baby diaper changing facilities in their comfort rooms.

The proposed city ordinance is currently being reviewed by the Cebu City Council’s committee on laws. A public hearing with stakeholders will also be scheduled to further discuss the proposal.

Republic Act 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Program Act of 2009 mandates that health and non-health facilities, establishments or institutions shall establish their own lactation or breastfeeding stations.