Family Lounge and breastfeeding station at Greenbelt

I never really found the need to find a breastfeeding station when I am in malls. I found it was too complicated to look for one and by the time I got to the place, my son would have been screaming his lungs out. So when we're out together, I make sure that I either wear a nursing top or something that would give my baby easy access to my breasts. I  always have my trusty nursing cover in our baby bag too just in case. Then, we find ourselves a seat somewhere and we're good. I have even tried nursing Datu while he was on a sling and I was walking. I think I've done that at least thrice. Breastfeeding and baby wearing rocks!

We were at Greenbelt to have our trial class at Gymboree. At the escalator from the parking lot, we saw the notice about the Family lounge and where it was. We were up for a diaper change and feeding so we decided to look for it since we were at the mall early. The Family lounge was at the 4th level at Greenbelt 5 near the Nail place (forgot the exact name) and a Dental clinic (also forgot the name I think it's Metro Dental Clinic). When you enter the lounge you are welcomed by relaxing music. It looks like the business lounges at airports but better. There weren't a lot of people inside. There were only 3 when we got there. I guess it is because it was a VIP lounge. You need to have an Ayala card, VIPinoy card or BPI-Ayala credit card to get access. However, special access is given to Nursing moms (yay!) and PWDs. For us, we can only use the lounge for nursing and changing nappies for FREE.

What are the other things you can do at the lounge?

1. Well, malling is tiring. It can be difficult to find a place to sit that is not in a restaurant. If you go that route, you will have to order at least something to drink even if you are not thirsty. If you had access to this kind of place, you won't have to shell money out.


2. You can leave the boys there. There is free wifi. There is also a business center-like area where a desktop was available for use. There's TV too. So while mommy is shopping, dad can wait for her there and not bug her to go home when she's not done shopping yet.

3. There is a play area. If you do not want to shell out money for places like Gymboree, you can just leave yaya and baby there while you shop.

4. You can nurse privately. It was a really nice breastfeeding station. There is a comfy chair and stool so you can even raise your legs if you want to for extra comfort. The chair is spacious enough that you can actually lay on it and put baby beside you on a side lying-position when breastfeeding. There is also a socket in case mommy needs the area to pump milk or charge her phone :). 

Inside the breastfeeding station

5. Clean changing area. This can be problematic for us at times. There are restrooms that do not have changing area or are plain dirty. There are times when we find ourselves changing baby's diapers on his stroller. It is a bit challenging but better than having to lay your child in some dirty table. The lounge saves us from this. The restroom was clean and spacious.



If I were in that area again, and need to nurse or change, I will definitely use this facility again. I may even try to get a card so I can access the lounge for reasons 1-3.

Play and Learn at Gymboree

Last year, when I was still pregnant with Datu, we got a Gymboree voucher specially for Dragon babies. I got it from one of the Mommy Mundo events. The voucher gets us a Free trial class, 50% off the Membership fee and 50% off on the child's first enrollment. The caveat is that it must be used before the child turns 10 months.

Datu is turning 10 months in about two weeks so we decided to use the coupon to avail of the discounts if we decide to enroll him. Serendra and Greenbelt 5 were the nearest branches from where we lived (nearest was Rockwell but that branch isn't open yet). I called both up to check for class schedules as those were not posted in their websites. The Greenbelt schedule worked best for us. I reserved a slot for Datu for their level 2 class on a Saturday.

Gymboree's Play and Learn are their most popular classes. There were several levels depending on your child's age. Datu is at Level 2 (6-10 months). It goes up to Level 6 for toddlers 28-36 months. The activities are play-based that stimulate your child's motor and sensory skills. The activities are all done while singing. The classes last for an hour.

Class schedule for Gymboree at Greenbelt 5

For Level 2, there was a segment for parent sharing. We were asked about feeding our children solid foods. It was more of a question and answer thing. It would have been nice if we were actually asked about best practices but I guess that may take too long of a discussion and will take away time for the actual baby activities.

I think Datu enjoyed the activity with bubbles best. The teachers would blow bubbles in the air while singing, the babies were so cute looking and touching the bubbles. The bubbles are safe as they were not made of soap. I remember the teacher saying it had glucose and something else (which sounded safe...sorry, I'm kind of forgetful with these things! Important to note is that these are safe :) ) He also liked the soccer activity and mostly anything that involved lifting him. The activities also allowed him to interact with other babies his age in that kind of environment. Honestly, I enjoyed the activities too. I think I enjoyed it more that Datu did. (lol)

We did not enroll him just yet as we feel that he can't fully appreciate the classes at this age still. Also,since we live in an apartment complex, Datu is able to interact with other babies too. In our complex, Datu has two kabarkadas who are the same age as he is. Then, there are toddlers below three years old. However, if your baby does not have a regular playmate he/she can interact with, I say go for it and enroll your baby to start developing social skills.

Below are their current rates in case you decide to enroll your own kids. Both parents can join the classes with the baby. Especially if you are not in your best physical state, activities can be tiring   and it provides equal opportunity for both parents to get involved while the other takes pictures and videos :)



Hubs and I decided to enroll Datu for Level 3 onwards when he is older. We feel after a few months, he will be able to participate better in the activities.