Going to the zoo is a family adventure that kids and caregivers alike have enjoyed in Denver for over 125 years. It can sometimes be a challenge making your way through the 80 acres of fun-filled gardens and exhibits, especially for parents. Luckily, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) has stepped up to help make the zoo a fun and friendly space for all. Amanda Seier and Erika Haase of Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance gave us a look at the current and upcoming mom-friendly accessibility services the park has to offer in honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

Mamava Pod

According to research, 83% of babies start out breastfeeding. As a breastfeeding parent, you may find it difficult to find a comfortable place to nurse your baby in public. The DZCA has made breastfeeding easier, by offering a variety of nursing stations for you in convenient locations around the park.

The organization recently installed two Mamava Pods, sponsored by Intermountain Health and the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, to make breastfeeding more convenient and comfortable than ever. Mamava Pods are unlocked for free using the Mamava app, available for Apple and Google devices. Inside, you can find a comfy bench to feed your baby, plenty of counter space for diaper bags or purses, an outlet to plug in whatever you might need to charge or use, and a small changing table.

The pods are temperature controlled, heated in the winter and air-conditioned in the summer. They also have an entrance ramp for easy stroller or wheelchair access.

“At the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, we see millions of visitors every year and the zoo is such a great cornerstone as a cultural organization here in Colorado and a lot of our guests are families,” Haase said. “We wanted to make sure that families feel supported and welcomed when they come to the zoo and that they have everything they need to be able to learn about animals and learn about conservation and have a great day and have everything that they need to do that. Part of that is helping prioritize nursing parents and families.”

You can find the Mamava pods at the Gates Building garden level restrooms and in the Giraffe Barn. If you can’t access the app, any DZCA staff member can unlock it for you.

Wellness Rooms

Located off Primate Panorama or in the new Down Under exhibit, you can find peaceful, indoor wellness rooms. These rooms can serve many purposes, and welcome anyone looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the zoo. The wellness rooms have plenty of space for wheelchairs or strollers, comfortable seating, outlets, and full-sized changing tables, making them a convenient stop for parents to feed their babies. The wellness rooms are also low sensory, making them a wonderful resource for families who have children with sensory sensitivities as well. The DZCA is seeking to expand access by adding more of these rooms soon.

Other quiet areas to feed your baby include:

• Family restrooms at the main entrance
• Family restrooms at Kamala Cafe near Toyota Elephant Passage
• Woodland Garden by Carousel Meadows
• Giraffe Barn
• Nurture Trail near Primate Panorama exit
• Bench next to Duck Lake viewing area
• Congo Basin at the back of Primate Panorama
• Zoo Gardens outside of peak lunch times
• Pahali Ya Mwana Maternity Yard near Predator Ridge

Seier mentioned that even though they have plenty of private spaces to feed your baby, it doesn’t mean you have to use them. Anywhere you feel comfortable feeding your baby, you are welcome to do so.

“I think it’s important to know that even though we have all of these facilities, that is obviously not the only place people can feed their babies,” Seier said. “It doesn’t mean you have to go behind that closed door and nurse your baby, you could do it anywhere and everywhere you want to.”

Other Accessibility options

These spots aren’t just good spots for breastfeeding parents. They’re also great resources for parents of children with sensory sensitivities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 36 children have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The DZCA is proud to be a Certified Autism Center, meaning 80% of its staff are highly trained, equipped, and certified in the field of autism.  

They offer plenty of accommodation for those with ASD. Sensory kits with ear defenders, sunglasses, and fidget tools are available to guests at the Concierge desk along with weighted lap blankets, coloring sheets, and crayons upon request. They also have a detailed sensory guide and social narrative, to help plan a day that meets all your child’s needs. All areas listed above, especially the wellness rooms, are places where parents of autistic children can take them for a moment of low-sensory quiet time.  

The zoo has worked hard to make sure it's an accommodating place for everyone. Haase, who manages DCZA’s digital content, said that the feedback she receives for these accommodations has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I see a lot of our great comments.” Haase said. “People are responding wonderfully to them and really appreciate that Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is thinking about their needs and sort of anticipating them. They just feel very welcome here at the zoo.”

For more information about the wonderful accessibility options available for you at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance start here.