I was breastfeeding my baby in the cafe of a Dunelm store in west London. Almost immediately a staff member came over and told me that I might be more comfortable in the feeding room downstairs which had a comfortable armchair. She kept repeating this which made me feel unwelcome, so I moved. This turned out to be a baby changing room with a toilet. My baby ended up missing his feed and I was a bit thrown. I understand my rights as a breastfeeding mother and felt bad for not advocating for the both of us.
TT, London
You told me the staff member mentioned that you were welcome to remain in the cafe, but kept pushing the feeding-room option. She may have been well-intentioned, but it’s understandable you felt pressured.
Under the Equalities Act, it’s illegal to move, harass or discriminate against a breastfeeding mother. Dunelm says: “We were very surprised to hear of this customer’s experience in our Greenford store and want to immediately apologise for any distress caused.
“Customers are more than welcome to breastfeed in our Pausa cafes, or any other suitable area in our stores, and there is definitely no policy to encourage customers to feed in the changing room instead.” The company says it would be reminding all staff of the guidance and invited you and a companion to return to the store for a free meal and a meeting with the manager. You have accepted.
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