It’s been almost 3 years since my family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, from sunny St. Marys, Georgia. Being from the Midwest, I felt like I was prepared for the move. My husband left a life in the military and accepted a job in Northeast Indiana. When we moved here, I was a first-time mom with a 2-month-old baby girl who I was nursing. After nursing two babies out and around Fort Wayne, here are some of the best places I’ve found or heard of that you can breastfeed in.
Coffee Shops
Fort Wayne is full of great coffee. Moms know this. We find it and seek it out. I found myself nursing my little Levi wherever I was enjoying a latte. Java Mama is a coffee shop where moms can relax and kids can play. For $4.00, little ones can play in the supervised play area. Java Mama has great coffee. Try the caramel cream latte! They’ve also added kid-friendly snacks, Melissa and Doug toys, and classes for little ones. I nursed Levi comfortably with no intimidation often there.
Mocha Lounge is another great hangout on the Southwest side of town. Mocha Lounge may look like a regular coffee shop, but there is a great room in the back called the Little Friends Room. You can sit and enjoy your coffee while your kids play with the toys provided. I’ve nursed comfortably with a room full of moms and dads in this room.
Parkview Field
The Tin Caps are a minor league baseball team who call Fort Wayne home. Parkview Field also houses the farmer’s market, reunions, concerts, and other events. The stadium has a nursing mother’s room to make moms feel more comfortable and prepared. The stadium also has fun events and entertainment for older siblings during the game.
Local Restaurants
Cheddars and Friendly’s Too are two local restaurants that have had positive feedback from moms with their nursing journey. Friendly staff and comfortable atmospheres are at most local restaurants in the area where moms can feel secure meeting baby’s needs. I have nursed Levi in our local McDonalds and Red Robin. I have never received negative feedback.
Play Dates
It’s important to be able to nurse your baby while also taking care of older siblings. Fort Wayne hosts a Big Latch On event each year. This past year, it took place at Tokens and Tickets. Tokens and Tickets is a fun, family play place with games and food for kids and families to enjoy. The Allen County Public Library is also a place I have been impressed with. The main branch located downtown has a play area for little ones. It also has a nursing mother’s room and you must have a key to use the restrooms in the children’s book area.
Fort Wayne is a fun place to call home. The beautiful seasons and friendly people make it likeable. I am blessed that I have found several places where I’ve felt comfortable nursing. Come visit sometime and feel comfortable feeding your baby!
Karyn Meyerhoff lives, writes, and nurses in Northeast Indiana.
