Tag: breast pumping

What Works, and What Doesn’t, for Families at the Big Apple of Las Vegas

Fun amenities outweigh the practical ones

Family Restrooms: Yes
Diaper Changing Stations: Yes
Lactation Space: None
Stroller-Friendly: Somewhat
Overall Child-Friendly: Yes
Time Spent: 2-3 hours

If you read my first post in this blog, you’ll recall an awkward but funny scene: Me, huddled in a nursing cover at the New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, pumping in the restroom alongside the showgirls. As it turns out, I could have avoided this scene altogether by locating an elusive family restroom on site that I missed. Instead, I used this opportunity to stop tucking myself away in bathroom stalls and try pumping more openly. For better or worse, this experience is emblazoned among my strongest memories of Las Vegas’ Big Apple.

Most downtown Las Vegas hotels have fairly large restrooms with long rows of sinks, which provide enough space to set up a portable pump — in my case, the Medela Pump in Style. This set up is what I tried at New York-New York, with relative success. I ran into a bit of trouble getting my nursing cover in place discreetly, but once I got situated, I quickly realized the sinks were preferable to a stall in terms of spaciousness and cleanliness. I was also pleasantly surprised by the flood of positive comments I received from other women. My self-consciousness gradually receded with each new comment.

A family restroom still would have been better, in my opinion, and a follow-up inquiry with the MGM Hotel Group confirmed that there is at least one on site. But, since my family wasn’t able to find or use it, I’m listing New York-New York at #9 in my ranking of baby-friendly spots in Las Vegas.

Through my follow-up inquiry, I also confirmed that New York-New York has at least one diaper changing station but no public lactation space. We did locate and use a changing station, although I recall checking more than one restroom to find it. Across the Las Vegas Strip, we never did locate any public lactation spaces, although we certainly didn’t stop everywhere. In the future, it would be great to see more public lactation spaces across the Strip and more clear signage to guide families to existing amenities.

I sent a couple more questions to the MGM Hotel Group about the number and location of family restrooms and changing stations at New York-New York, but I haven’t heard back yet. If I do, I’ll be sure to update this post.

This area in New York-New York was a great spot to enjoy coffee and pastries in the morning!

Aside from the restrooms, New York-New York was about as child-friendly as a casino can be. Like Paris Las Vegas, there’s a Disney vibe that I enjoyed. The decor evoked a picturesque, bustling city with vendors hawking hotdogs, coffee, and even custom s’mores near Hershey’s Chocolate World, which were delicious. For older children, New York-New York also features The Big Apple Coaster, a visible feature along the Vegas skyline.

One of our favorite family features was the arcade near the entrance to the coaster. We walked past several arcades in downtown Vegas that turned out to be duds, but this one had a wide variety of games. It’s worth noting that Excalibur also has a great “Fun Dungeon”.

As with many other downtown locations, New York-New York required plenty of ups and downs in the elevator, as we met up with family and navigated with a stroller. Baby-wearing is definitely an option worth considering, depending on your plans throughout the day. We opted for a stroller, because we had a full day with multiple stops planned. For us, baby-wearing would make more sense during an isolated, fully air-conditioned outing to a single resort.

All-in-all, I think New York-New York is a fun choice for families, especially compared with other casinos that lack child-friendly attractions. If I could do our visit over again, I would ask for help locating the family restroom, or restrooms, that I missed. The missing pieces for me are more practical family amenities and more information about the amenities that are available.


Paris Las Vegas: A Dreamy Excursion, Until You Need a Place to Pump

Thank goodness for purse hooks…

Family Restrooms: Unsure
Diaper Changing Stations: Yes
Lactation Space: Unsure
Stroller-Friendly: Somewhat
Overall Child-Friendly: Somewhat
Time Spent: 2-3 hours

Picture a pair of wide-open shutters looking out on winding, cobblestone streets. In the distance, you see cafes and famous wonders like the Moulin Rouge, the Sacre Coeur, and the Chat Noir. Ok, well, that’s actually a memory of Montmartre with my husband, years before our 10-month-old daughter was born. But our visit to Paris Las Vegas last May really did conjure that amazing adventure from six years prior. To me, it felt like Disney meets Paris: a combination of two mismatched destinations that I love.

It’s also a combination that creates a fairly family-friendly environment outside the casino floor. The downside? We had trouble locating family-friendly amenities, like a public lactation space or family restroom. For this reason, it ranks at #11 in my ranking of baby-friendly locations in Las Vegas. 

Our family of three passed through Paris Las Vegas before joining my extended family for dinner at Alexxa’s, located within the resort. This kept us there for a while. In order to follow my pumping schedule, I resorted to a tactic that I’ve reluctantly used only when necessary: pumping in a bathroom stall. We couldn’t find a private place for me to pump, and I wasn’t yet brave enough to pump along the restroom sinks.

Just a day or two later, I gave the sink method a try. Although it wasn’t very private or easy to keep my nursing cover in place, this tactic felt more comfortable and sanitary. Looking back, I wish I had avoided more bathroom stalls and pumped at the sinks instead.

At Paris, pumping in a stall felt like my best option. When we returned from our trip, I did reach out to inquire about any family restrooms we may have missed. So far, I haven’t heard back. However, my inquiries to other resorts have yielded surprising results. There are family restrooms we failed to find in several locations, and Paris Las Vegas could be one of these spots. If there is one, though, it wasn’t easy for us to find.

As far as the bathroom stalls go, the ones at Paris Las Vegas weren’t the worst I’ve encountered. There was much more elbow room than usual, and, importantly, there was a flat toilet paper dispenser and a purse hook. If you find yourself pumping in a stall, for whatever reason, these details make all the difference. I’ve used the flat dispensers as a spot to set up my portable, Medela Pump in Style pump. It’s also a great spot to set your phone, as you track the time or watch the latest series you’re binging (for me, it was a rewatch of The Magicians). The purse hook is where you’ll hang your pumping bag, providing a hands-free way to carefully sift through supplies without dropping anything on the dirty bathroom floor. 

This was the view we encountered outside the small “patisserie” where we stopped for pastries, a bottle of water, and a chance to give our daughter her bottle.

I hope I’ve made it clear that stall pumping isn’t my favorite, but at Paris Las Vegas, I was able to accomplish the task without too much fuss. Twenty minutes later, I changed our daughter’s diaper in a different restroom near the lobby. Not all the restrooms have changing tables, but we didn’t have too much trouble tracking one down.

I’m curious whether Paris Las Vegas has aligned with a relatively new law in Nevada that requires new buildings to have at least one changing table accessible to men and women. There are exceptions, and Paris Las Vegas opened its doors long before the law passed. But I’m encouraged to see Nevada moving in this direction. The changing table we located at Paris was in the women’s restroom, but we didn’t check all the restrooms on site. If anyone tracks down a changing table in a men’s restroom there, please feel free to reach out and let me know. Overall, I hope to see more changes across the Strip to help families access lactation spaces and family restrooms.

At Alexxa’s, we were a bit nervous about setting our stroller aside in the lobby during dinner, but there was no way it would fit near the table. In the end, the arrangement worked out fine. There weren’t many vegetarian options to choose from on the menu, but the appetizers were delicious, and the view from our patio table was spectacular. Our daughter slowly worked on a bottle as we ate and chatted. Throughout the trip, she took most of her bottles on the go in her stroller or with us at restaurants, alongside the solid food we prepared at our hotel, the Desert Rose. 

All in all, I wish I could rank Paris Las Vegas higher, because I enjoyed our time there. It was one of my favorite stops. But my ranking is focused on amenities for families and babies, and the overall experience is just one factor. In this case, the lack of adequate pumping space created significant hassle and discomfort. If you’re making a tour of the Strip, I would definitely recommend stopping at Paris Las Vegas. Just be prepared, or face the dreaded stall.

Looking for a Family-Friendly Vegas Resort? Try The Desert Rose!

This low-key home away from home checked all our boxes

Fridge and Freezer: Yes
Stroller-Friendly: Yes
Overall Child-Friendly: Yes
Time Spent: 5 nights

When you envision a trip to Las Vegas, several famous hotels might come to mind. The Desert Rose Resort, located near MGM Grand, probably isn’t one of them. This unassuming option might not be famous or fancy, but it did cover our most important f-words: family and friendly! Our family of three stayed there with our 10-month-old daughter on a trip with extended family in May of 2023. For us, the Desert Rose was affordable on a budget, and it offered amenities that accommodated our unique needs with a baby in Las Vegas. For that reason, I’m listing it at #4 in my ranking of baby-friendly attractions in Las Vegas.

In Vegas, it’s tricky to find a hotel that accommodates families who pump to keep baby fed. For us, the most elusive amenity was a full-size refrigerator with a freezer. My husband and I searched high and low, and our options were limited. But the freezer wasn’t optional. We needed it to re-freeze our icepack, so we could carry breastmilk at a safe temperature throughout our trip. In the future, it would be great to see more hotels providing this essential amenity for pumping families. During our trip, the Desert Rose Resort was the solution, with the freezer we needed and several other helpful features.

For starters, parking was very simple. There was no fee when we visited in May of 2023, and there were always plenty of spots near the walkway to our room. From there, we found that our suite was clean and pleasant. The layout was like a small apartment: both practical and comfortable. The fridge and freezer were located in a full kitchen, which made it relatively easy to keep our daughter fed. We stuck our Medela ice pack in the freezer daily, so we could explore with multiple bottles on hand at a time.

I used my Medela Pump in Style breast pump throughout our trip to Las Vegas. The battery pack and travel accessories came in handy countless times on our trip.

Back at the hotel, we used the stove and dishes that were provided to prepare additional meals, since our daughter was well into her journey exploring a limited selection of solid foods. “Messy” and “picky” are two very apt keywords to describe this journey. For that reason, we appreciated the flexibility to cook meals we knew she would like, and we especially appreciated the dishwasher when clean-up time came around. Beyond the kitchen, we made use of the small dining table, couch, end table, and coffee table, where I set up my pumping station. 

One of our favorite features at the Desert Rose was the family-friendly pool. Our daughter took her first “swim” there, and I enjoyed the hot tub. We also enjoyed our quiet, poolside breakfasts on site. The same waiter helped us throughout our stay and always made sure my breakfast burrito had no meat. 

The bottom line: Compared with other resorts, the Desert Rose has less of the flashy, Vegas appeal that you might expect. But if you can let that go, it’s the perfect refuge for families with young children after a busy day navigating the Strip. 

Discover this Baby-Friendly Hike Just West of the Las Vegas Strip

More family restrooms, more lovely views!


Family Restrooms: Yes (1)
Diaper Changing Stations: Yes (several)
Lactation Space: None
Stroller-Friendly: Partially
Overall Child-Friendly: Yes
Time Spent: 4-5 hours

Who knew there was so much natural beauty just beyond the bright, city lights of Las Vegas? Although Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area comes in at # 2 in my ranking of baby-friendly spots in Las Vegas, in terms of enjoyment alone, it was my number one. If you want to escape the traffic and crowds of the Las Vegas Strip for a day, hiking here is a great option, with or without kids.

This stop is just a 25-minute drive from the Strip, but it feels like the middle of nowhere in the best possible way. Here, you’ll find family-friendly amenities, manageable hikes, gorgeous photo opportunities, and a breath of fresh air. There are scenic views in every direction, and — wonder of wonders — there’s a family restroom outside the visitor center to help you and baby get on your way.

As I’ve noted in past posts, my husband and I had trouble locating family-friendly amenities for our 10-month-old daughter throughout our visit to Las Vegas in May of 2023. We never did find any public lactation spaces, and we hope this eventually changes. The restroom at Red Rock Canyon was certainly not an ideal place to pump, and I wouldn’t recommend breastfeeding there. That said, it helped make our visit possible.

We appreciated the option to enjoy Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area via the scenic driving loop and a couple short hikes!

We found this restroom near the visitor center parking lot when we pulled in. It’s an outdoor facility, but with that in mind, it was clean and tidy during our visit. It definitely went above and beyond what I typically expect from a park. There’s a changing table, sink, and toilet. It was a bit snug, but there was room for all three of us and our fairly large, Evenflo Pivot Xpand Stroller.

I reached out to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area after we returned and confirmed there are also changing tables in the men’s and women’s restrooms in the visitor center parking lot and in front of the visitor center. I was glad to hear these weren’t exclusive to the women’s restrooms. We run into this a lot, and it slows us down — especially when we’re hoping my husband can change a diaper while I’m pumping.

In the family restroom, I pumped on my feet at the sink while my husband changed our daughter’s diaper. With trips like this one in mind, I made a point of picking out a breast pump that would be portable and travel-friendly. The Medela Pump in Style, which my insurance covered, comes with a battery pack, tote bag, and mini-cooler. So, it works well on the road. Using the family restroom together, my husband helped me pack up the milk I pumped and rinse my supplies before stowing them away to be properly sanitized back at our hotel.

From there, the three of us set out with our extended family on a scenic drive around the park, stopping here and there to absorb the expansive views and take pictures. My husband and I took turns stepping out to look around, while the other stayed behind in the car with our daughter. This wasn’t an ideal arrangement, but considering the heat, the periodic breaks in the air-conditioning were actually welcome. As I recall, most, or all, of the viewpoints were at least partially stroller-friendly, in case you prefer spending more time at any one stop.

When we reached the Willow Spring Loop, we stopped for a hike all together, followed by another short hike at Petroglyph Wall. These hikes were just the right length for us, but they were not well-suited to a stroller. There are paved trails in the park, but we opted to use our Infantino Flip 4-In-1 Convertible Baby Carrier instead. This allowed all three of us to get into the thick of it and experience the landscape. For more information about trail accessibility, you can check out Red Rock Canyon’s trail guide.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a great spot to carry baby in a forward-facing carrier, allowing them to explore all the new sights and sounds.

My husband wore the baby carrier on the first leg of our hike, and I carried our daughter on the second. We’ve accumulated two Infantino carriers, sort of by accident, which means we keep one adjusted to my husband’s size, and one sized for me. However, if you just have one carrier, we find it’s not difficult to quickly adjust the straps. The carrier worked well in this context and allowed our daughter to visually explore the unfamiliar landscape. We kept the hiking brief — about an hour total between the two trails — and none of us got too worn out. Don’t forget sunscreen for everyone and a sun hat for baby.

One other important note: This park required timed reservations in advance when we visited in May of 2023, and the scenic drive is not a full loop. This means you’ll exit at a different spot than where you entered. Without realizing this, we planned to use the family restroom to pump and change our daughter’s diaper both before and after our visit to the park, assuming the route would loop us right back. When the scenic drive unexpectedly spat us out onto the highway, we circled back to the entrance and asked for permission to re-enter and use the restroom. The ranger let us back in without any trouble, but the confusion caught us off guard. 

Depending on your breastfeeding/pumping schedule, I think it’s possible to visit for a short hike between feedings and avoid this sort of complication. But this is less feasible if you plan to stop frequently to see the sights and take pictures, as we did.

I ordered the BBQ Veggie Burger and Umami Fries at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, and they were amazing!

We stopped at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar on our way back to the Strip and gave our daughter a bottle at our table. This worked well for us. The food was amazing — one of my favorite meals on the trip — and very vegetarian-friendly. 

All-in-all, I view Red Rock Canyon as a must-see oasis just beyond the Las Vegas Strip. As long as you come prepared, you won’t regret taking the time to get away.