I was deeply disappointed with the deplorable state of nursing facilities at the Singapore Zoo during a recent visit.

It didn't help that zoo staff did not seem to know that a diaper-changing room is not the same as a nursing room.

Due to the zoo's assurance of adequate nursing facilities on-site, I did not bring along nursing covers nor expressed breast milk.

Of three nursing rooms available at the zoo, I went to two and both had faulty door locks, which meant that I was unable to have peace of mind while tending to my baby.

At the first stop at the zoo's main entrance, my baby son was hungry, so I was forced to nurse him at a prayer room. The second stop was the nursing room near the Rainforest Kidzworld.

My husband had to stand guard at the entrances when I nursed our son. At the nursing room, he earned stares from mothers using a diaper-changing table nearby.

By then, we decided it was best to leave much earlier than planned rather than try to look for the third nursing room.

Mothers who are breastfeeding their babies are surely also keen to celebrate Singapore's birthday with the rest of the nation.

I urge entertainment operators to improve the experience for nursing mothers.

Celene Ting (Ms)