25 signatures reached
To: The CEO, Claridges Hotel, London
Breastfeeding in public
The hotel has a policy of asking their breastfeeding customers to cover up in their public spaces. The recent case of a breastfeeding mother, Louise Burns, being asked to 'cover up' during a celebration afternoon tea with her family as reported in the Guardian upsets and disturbs after the initial anger has subsided. Such a policy is unjustified in 2014.
I would like them to examine the evidence, drop their very out of date and offensive policy and issue a full apology to Louise and her family. On top of that, all the staff should be trained to deal with customers who might feel 'offended' by the sight of a breastfeeding customer discreetly feeding her baby. Ideally they should aim to be a 'Breastfeeding Welcome' establishment and set an example to other businesses.
Why is this important?
I am a retired midwife and promoting breastfeeding has been one of the passions during my career. Much evidence exists on the health and financial benefits of breastfeeding. In 2012, Unicef published "Preventing disease and saving resources: The potential contribution of increasing breastfeeding rates in the UK" which looked at how raising breastfeeding rates could save the NHS money through improving health outcomes. Although overall breastfeeding rates (at birth) nationally has increased between 2005-2010, breastfeeding drop-off rates at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months continue to be high. Guidance recommends that for optimum health benefits, babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life (The Public Health England 2013 Report).
The Equality Act (2010) says that 'A business cannot discriminate against mothers who are breastfeeding a child of any age.' Although Louise Burns was not asked to leave the premises, the fact she was asked to cover up made her feel uncomfortable and humiliated whilst discreetly doing what comes most naturally to her as a mother.
Far too often, one hears of breastfeeding mothers being discriminated by ignorance, prejudice and practices out of step with what defines a progressive society. Any company that has such a policy should be targeted.
