A couple of weekends ago, my husband, baby and I went to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to see the Americans in Paris exhibit featuring the acclaimed "Whistler's Mother." The Museum of Fine Arts is a beautiful old stone building equipped with a grand stairway and an exhibition wing built by I.M.P.. We got stuck in traffic on the way to the Museum and by the time we got there , the baby needed to be changed and fed. We bought our tickets and immediately inquired on the baby changing facilities. Surprisingly, no changing tables were available in the bathrooms. We were directed to the double doors near the gift shop on the first floor. The changing area was in fact a changing table attached to the wall in a stairwell. While the facilties were sparse, we were grateful that that they were so close to the entrance. However, in order to access the baby changing "area," you first have to be admitted entrance to the museum which could pose a problem if there are long lines. Be careful was entering the main museum from the stairwell. Its easy to accidentally sideswipe someone waiting for the elevator situated right outside the double doors.

We had completed one of two major baby tasks. We had changed her but she was itching to be fed. The sign above the changing table pointed us to another part of the museum. Down a hallway and through an echoing gallery, we found the nursing room in an old utility closet. The room was actually quite accomodating for one woman and baby. It would be difficult to fit more than a couple of people in the room. A small loveseat and a couple of chairs furnished the room along with a small plaque which framed an award congratulating the museum for being breastfeeding friendly. All in all the museum made an effort to accomodate breastfeeding mothers even if the facilities were small and sparse.

We made our way to the exhibition wing with Adrianna in my Maya wrap (see mayawrap.com). But, she was still fussy and I didn't want to disturb the other people in the gallery. The gallery attendant was kind enough to let me use one of the portable seats and enthusiastically allowed me to nurse in the corner near the entrance of the gallery. I do not know if that particular employee's attitude was unique or if her attitude was reflective of the museum's attitude toward nursing mothers but I was very impressed and grateful for her help and support.

Location: Museum of Fine Arts
City: Boston, MA
Ratings (out of 5 Rattles) :
Changing Area: Two Rattles
Nursing Room: Three Rattles