If you didn’t know, today kicked off the 2019 Ohio State Fair and I couldn’t be more excited. The food. The animals. The people. The shopping. The butter cow. It is all just amazing (and worth waiting a year for). While I could go on and on about the specifics of my favorite things to do at the fair, this post isn’t about that. (However, make sure you’re watching my instagram stories on Friday night because I may or may not be getting a taste of all the new fair foods….#carnivalEATSinREALlife #dreams).
This post is to give all you mama’s (and dads..grandparents..caregivers) a major 411, PSA, TIP, TRICK, HIDDEN GEM – whatever you want to call it – on how I was able to spend a little over 5 hours at the the fair with *almost* 8 month old triplets.
Ohio Health and The Ohio State Fair have partnered together to offer multiple air-conditioned infant care and nursing stations, strategically located in the Taste of Ohio Cafe (the round building) and Meijer Kiddieland. You’re probably thinking this doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. I mean there are baby friendly areas at a lot of different spots. Ya know, one room with a changing table, maybe a rocking chair and sink – what’s the big deal? The big deal is, these rooms are nothing like that!
Disclaimer: I only went in to the Taste of Ohio room. The other room in Kiddieland looked more like a trailer and I am assuming that is where the TVs are located (and maybe a few other things). The Taste of Ohio was much more stroller friendly, as the one in Kiddieland has a few metal stairs to get up.
Inside you will find everything you need to relax, re-group and re-charge. They’ve created an air-conditioned space filled with couches, rockers, changing tables, FREE diapers and wipes, bottle warmers, toys for older siblings, sunscreen, bug spray and more. Each area is divided by a tall room divider — giving you a nice private area to feed your little babes.
The room is located right at the entrance of the Taste of Ohio building. You will see an Ohio Health sign, however when you walk in – it doesn’t jump out at you. It looks like a basic door, maybe a janitors closet. Not very inviting from the outside. (I think they were trying to get a sign put up). Don’t be alarmed — just open the door and there is a nice gal at the front who will greet you.
This was such an amazing accommodation. I was able to easily change the girls (vs. trying to change all three in a hot, busy bathroom). I was able to feed them comfortably, at their own pace and once they were done, they were able to safely crawl around. This 100% took the stress out of having to change them/feed them. We had planned to just go in between feedings, however, with this room – we were able to spend a few more hours and really take our time/enjoy the fair!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Ohio Health and Ohio State Fair. This was above and beyond. Rivers family (and I sure many other local families) APPRECIATE you thinking of all the families with little ones.
