Over 100 Breastfeeding Moms Are Protesting After A Woman Was Forced To Cover Up With A Napkin
I don’t know about you, but I’m always surprised to hear about establishments in Europe that aren’t breastfeeding-friendly. I mean, it’s Europe. The United States typically reigns supreme in Unreasonable Puritan Standards, so I’m caught off-guard by a well-known London hotel’s stance on public breastfeeding: throw a napkin over it and make it go away. I can’t help but think of the movie Big Daddy, where Adam Sandler just throws newspaper over every mess in his apartment. That is not an image I prefer to conjure up in response to a mom feeding her baby.
Louise Burns was recently asked by staff at Claridge’s Hotel to cover herself and her baby’s head with a large napkin to avoid ”causing offense” to other diners, however Claridge’s insists it ”embraces” breastfeeding but has urged mothers to be ”discreet.”
Asked to cover up with this ridiculous shroud while #breastfeeding so not to cause offence @ClaridgesHotel today.. pic.twitter.com/Is8GWUaGag
”” Lou Burns (@Andysrelation) December 1, 2014
Ohhhh okay, that makes perfect sense. Except not at all. As a former waitress/bartender, I can assure Claridge’s that there are about a thousand other, far more offensive things to dining patrons and staff alike than a mother who’s feeding her baby. Even at a swanky hotel. TRUST ME. (Major brownie points for referring to said napkin as a ‘ridiculous shroud.’ I think I just fell in love with Louise a little.)
Anyway, she took to Twitter to discuss her experience and, rightly so, the news spread rather quickly. In response to the ‘offence’, campaign group Free to Feed will be assembling outside Claridge’s this afternoon for a peaceful demonstration in support of mothers who choose to feed their babies in public. Over 100 mothers are expected to show up and breastfeed their little cherubs right there in the street.
I expect Claridge’s will revise their stance on breastfeeding within their establishment, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if they frantically tossed over 100 napkins into the air in response instead. Here’s hoping it’s the former.
(Photo: The Independent)
