Marks & Spencer cafe: breast-feeding mother asked to leave & feed baby in toilets:OK?

newnhak

I had a few issues 11+ years ago when I was breastfeeding but I thought things had changed. Very disappointed with M&S

rach_k

That's terrible. Which M&S was it? I have to say, my nearest has always seemed great with the kids but it's on a retail park so lots of mums meet for coffee there. They've always been very helpful, going out of their way to help move my drink near enough so I could get it while feeding LO etc, but it's a shame if a few bad ones ruin it for them all.

specialkthefirst

Disgusting!!!! This really makes me so sad. It's no wonder young mums don't want to breast feed x

hollydays

“The Equality Act 2010 protects women from discrimination because of their pregnancy and maternity in the provision of services, exercise of public functions and associations.”

Read more: http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/Wincanton-mother-verbally-abused-breastfeeding/story-19181982-detail/story.html#ixzz2ykvKg1ed

bluebeary

staff should not approach the customer unless the customer asks for somewhere private instead

robatwork

Welcome to M&S - attitudes from the 1950s, as are the clothes designs.

notanewuser

I'd drop a line to the local breastfeeding support group. They can organise an educational flash mob (and publicity) for the ill-advised staff.

gunsandbanjos

Very poor attitude from M&S,I worked in hospitality for years and would never ask a lady to feed her child in the toilet!
We always offered a discreet corner table if she was more comfortable with it (they often asked to be sat in a quiet place) but we were happy for them to sit wherever they wanted.

Azari

Doc_N wrote: »

Can you imagine this happening in Waitrose?

I can't even imagine it happening in M&S!

To be realistic, we hear tales in these forums about all the major retailers that, if we do not hold prejudices against that retailer we know are either false or the result of some rogue employee.

Does anyone seriously think this is M&S policy?

hollydays

From facebook-after someone commented on this incident

Marks and Spencer Hi Barbara. I understand your concern and would like to assure you we'd never intentionally make our customers feel this way. This incident was a one off and the members of our team involved in this complaint believed they were doing the right thing to accommodate the customer quickly as there was no available seating to offer in either cafes at the time. Our staff are genuinely mortified that they have caused such embarrassment and upset, as mothers themselves they understand the importance and difficulties faced and are very regretful that the customer didn't feel they were sensitive enough to her needs. We also offered to send an email or letter to apologise further. Please let me know if you need any more help. Thanks, Donna.
1 · 16 hours ago