Communicating the "right" message

[SallyN]

Our pediatrician just moved into a new building. DD2's 4 month well-baby visit yesterday was our first visit to the new offices. As I was giving the receptionist a stack of our new IL Breastfeeding Law wallet cards, she mentioned that part of their new layout includes a nice little breastfeeding room that will have comfortable chairs, a lamp, etc. She was very proud/pleased. I responded saying how nice that would be for the mom's that aren't comfortable breastfeeding out in the waiting room. Totally cool conversation.

A little later, while I was reading to DD1, I noticed they had a placard over by the check in window that stated (from memory here): If you are going to use the breastfeeding room, please let us know so the nurses know where to find you.

Hum. While I'm pleased that they have a dedicated area, as the waiting room IS close quarters, and I understand new mom's may be uncomfortable with nursing especially if they're having challenges with the latch or positioning and/or might be uncomfortable with curious kids observing, I'm mildly concerned that the wording of the placard may not be the most... I'm not sure of what the word is. Bottom line, is that I don't want a mildly nervous mom to think that she HAS to use the breastfeeding room.

So I come to you ladies for help in coming up with suggestions for different wording or way for the office to communicate to moms who may want the bf room, but a way that won't make it seem like they have to. It IS a pretty bf-friendly practice, so I do feel they'd take my concern to heart.

[HomeBirthMommy]

It's just my opinion, but that wording wouldn't suggest to me that I had to use the nursing room. It seems like a pretty logical sign, IMO.
I think it's very cool that your ped's office has enough bf'ing mamas to warrant a room for it.

[elizaMM]

"If you CHOOSE TO BREASTFEED IN THE BREASTFEEDING room, please let us know so the nurses know where to find you."

It'd be especially cool if they added at the beginning, "While you are welcome to breastfeed anywhere,..."

Much luck to you in addressing the topic with the clinic! It sounds like you'll find a very diplomatic way.

p.s. Sally, you probably know this, but it drives me nuts all the time, so in case you don't, or others reading dont: another reason a mom might choose to breastfeed in the breastfeeding room is that their child might NOT breastfeed in the waiting room. I mourn the lost NIPing opportunities because I needed to minimize distractions so he would nurse to sleep, or nurse a plugged duct, or just demand something so my breasts wouldn't think they didn't need to produce. And, well, another reason is that they might just be worried someone will say something or look at them in a way or think something negative about them, which would be valid concerns too, and that drives me nuts too. And, well, there are probably other reasons...