Breastfeeding in Edinburgh
Breastfeeding in public is acceptable and is protected by law, which means that nobody can be asked to stop nursing, to leave a premises, or to use separate facilities. Most large department stores will have mother and baby rooms with a seat to feed your child in if you feel more comfortable feeding in private.
Shopping for Essentials
You will be able to find all your baby essentials in Edinburgh in any of the large to medium sized supermarkets (such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s) and in pharmacies. Boots Pharmacies are particularly good for stocking up on supplies. Smaller shops will sell nappies, wipes, baby shampoo and bath necessities along with baby food and formula. Smaller shops may not have as good a selection as the larger supermarkets.
Water Quality
The tap water is safe to drink in Scotland however, if you are from outside of the UK you may find that the water tastes a little different as it is treated differently, this can lead to tummy upsets in infants so using bottled water might be best while abroad when preparing bottles. Older toddlers should have no problems having formula prepared from tap water and drinking the water generally.
Baby Formula
The most popular brands of formula include Aptamil, Cow and Gate, Hipp Organic and SMA. You will be able to get hungry baby brands along with brands suitable for infants with dairy intolerance. Fresh cows milk is also widely available. You will be able to find fresh cows milk in almost any grocery shop in Edinburgh, small or large.
Baby Food
Cow and Gate, Ella’s Kitchen, Heinz, Hipp Organic, Nestle, Organix and Plum Baby. You will be able to find a variety of flavours in most small to medium sized supermarkets and in many pharmacies. There is also a good selection of fruit puree, snacks such as rice cakes and corn based finger food, cereals, baby rice and yoghurt.
If you are eating out, most restaurants will provide you with a bowl of soft food for babies or a kids menu for older toddlers and if you are staying in self catering accommodation you should be able to find fresh ,meat, fruit and vegetables locally to cook with. Boots do a range of organic stock, suitable for babies which are handy to make a base for cooking with.
Other Essentials
Nappies, wipes, soothers, clothing are all widely available. You will be able to buy nappies (Pampers, Huggies and other brands), wipes and soothers in most pharmacies, small shops and larger supermarkets.
Clothing is available in all large towns and the main stores where you will be able to buy baby and toddler clothes include Tesco and Boots. There will also be plenty of boutiques in the cities.
Sterilizing – Many hotels will allow you to use a microwave to sterilize bottles with a microwaveable sterilizer or microwaveable sterilizer bags but if you not sure that such a service is available it would be best to bring travel sterilizing equipment if your child is still under the age of 6 months (or older if you would like to continue sterilizing). There are many brands of product on the market such as sterilizing tablets and sterilizer bags available, which are great for travel. See our section on formula, food, sterilizing and nappies for more information.
Changing Facilities
The following city centre locations have baby changing facilities:
- John Lewis (department store), St James’ Centre – the parenting room on the 4th floor has one of the largest baby changing facilities in the city, including a parent and child toilet.
- JoJo Maman Bebe (children’s clothes shop), 9 Multrees Walk.
- Boots (chemist, pharmacy and store), 101 Princes Street.
