We have been living in Espoo for almost three months. Now I know a little bit more about those shopping centers, especially how to take the baby to shopping!
First of all, traveling with a baby in pram/stroller is free on buses (and other HSL public transportation). So, just board the bus through the middle door. Those large shopping centers are well served by public transportation 🙂
Secondly, look for the door open button to make life easier:
Now while you are inside of the shopping center, look for the nursing room when it’s necessary. Be confident that there is a nursing room! Just ask for directions. Here I will show you the nursing rooms in these shopping centers: ISO Omena, Sello, AINOA/Stockmann, IKEA Espoo, and Kamppi (Helsinki).
ISO Omena probably has the best nursing room. It is located on the first floor, close to the children’s clothing shops, right beside the children’s playground. Push the button to open the door, and you will see a very big room. There are stroller parking, lockers, table and chairs (for bigger kids), a big sofa (for breastfeeding), and kids’ restrooms. The nursing room is always occupied, almost constantly being used. In fact, the playground outside is also one of the best, and is very popular!
Sello is another popular shopping center in Espoo. The nursing room is also on the first floor, and in the children’s area (see photos). This nursing room is not big, although it’s quite popular. You can do everything you need to, but the room itself is not as fancy as the one in ISO Omena. For example, there’s no sofa.
AINOA/Stockmann is in Tapiola. It’s supposed to have two nursing rooms, but we could only find the one in AINOA side. It’s a bit tricky to find the nursing room. The tip is to find the children’s playground, which is beside the second floor of H&M. The playground, or rather the rest area, is huge and fabulous! We saw fathers were taking care of kids (while mothers were shopping?). Then, follow the signs to the nursing room, on the fourth floor. The room is warmly decorated. Although there is no sofa either, the chairs there are very comfortable for breastfeeding.
Then, IKEA Espoo. After you enter the building, take a right. And you will see the information desk and the small playground. The nursing room is on the opposite side of the playground. The room is not big, but it’s lovely and very IKEA (my feeling). The red box on the wall is a changing station (diapers available). The pretty IKEA chair is perfect for breastfeeding! There’s no kids’ restroom.
Lastly, the Kamppi center in Helsinki. We have used the nursing room there several times, because we often transfer at Kamppi bus terminal. The nursing room is on the third floor, where you find children’s clothing shops. Different from nursing rooms in other shopping centers, the nursing room in Kamppi is located inside of a store! So look for the sign on the window, go into the store, and you can find the nursing room. It is a small room, but “luxurily” decorated. There are diapers, towels, and even baby cream/lotion. Outside of the nursing room, there are two love seats and breastfeeding pillows! How thoughtful!
I am not afraid of taking my baby to shopping any more, because I know I can care for him just like at home.
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