LJ Reyes wishes parents would be better accommodated in the country as they care for young children, particularly in the form of breastfeeding and changing areas.
Her comment comes after a fun vacation she had with partner Paolo Contis and their two kids in sunny Siargao.
During their trip, they bonded with Aki and baby Summer on the beach, enjoying the white sand and sailing through the crystal-blue waters on a boat.
Reyes posted a family picture of them on the shore last May 29 and said she was “fully charged with family love.”
She said the poor mobile phone reception was an advantage as she experienced “firsts” such as jumping off a coconut tree with her firstborn Aki and accompanying him in learning how to surf.
Contis too shared happy memories with pictures of their trip on Instagram on Monday, June 3.
After their family getaway, Reyes shared a picture on Tuesday, June 4, of her breastfeeding Summer on a boat.
She mused, “Nursing here, there, everywhere!!! Who can relate?! Pag nanay ka talaga kahit saan kahit ano pwede na to (When you’re a mom, anywhere is fine)!”
“Pero ang pangarap ko talaga para sa ating mga magulang dito sa Pilipinas ay yung magkaron tayo ng maaayos na breastfeeding areas at changing areas (both in the male and female restrooms),” she said. “O kaya naman magkaroon ng family room na magagamit ng buong pamilya.”
(But my dream is to have proper breastfeeding areas and changing areas (both in the male and female restrooms) for parents here in the Philippines. Or a family room that can be used by the whole family.)
Some malls in Metro Manila have nursing rooms and family lounges, but it seems this is the exception rather than the rule in public spaces.
In the US, one dad called for changing tables in men’s restrooms through the #squatchallenge, which shows fathers changing their kids’ diapers on their laps as they squat. In January, New York passed a law that requires changing tables in both women’s and men’s restrooms. /ra
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