Protest after breastfeeding mother Shannon Laverty confronted by staff member at Pacific Fair

A Gold Coast mum confronted by a staff member at Pacific Fair and told to find the parents’ room has led to a furious response from Bulletin readers. JOIN THE CONVERSATION >>>

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A GOLD Coast mum confronted by a staff member at Pacific Fair and told to find the parents’ room has led to a furious response from Bulletin readers.

Shannon Laverty said she’d been inundated with messages of support from other mums in a show of solidarity after she was approached and asked to move while feeding her son.

More than 1200 comments filled the Bulletin’s Facebook “Question of the Day” – Should women have to cover up when breastfeeding in public?

Hayley Beaufort wrote: “would’ve told that staff member that they most likely started their life feeding off a boob so stop being a judgemental twat...”

Gold Coast mums Stephanie Ruzic, Shannon Laverty and Aliesha Fry. Picture: Supplied.

Trav Green added: “I can’t believe this is even a matter for debate. Baby needs feeding, so mind your own business and let Mum do what she needs to do. It’s been happening since we first walked the planet... move on people”.

Erin Elizabeth had a different take: “Breasts are literally made to do this. They have just been sexualised. Anyone who has an issue seeing a mother breastfeeding needs to take a long hard look at themselves.”

Ashleigh Hall took the stance even further.

“Anyone who has an issue with breast feeding, or wants mothers to cover their children’s heads can start eating under blankets in public too or go to the toilet and eat their lunches. That way they won’t be bothered by the babies getting their meal.”

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EARLIER

DOZENS of mums are expected to join a peaceful breastfeeding protest at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre on Friday morning after a Gold Coast mother said she was told to “move on” by a female concierge last week.

Shannon Laverty said she’d been inundated with messages of support from other mums in a show of solidarity, with 50 women expected to gather in front of boutique beauty retailer Kiehl’s, where she was feeding her son when approached by a female staffer member.

Ms Laverty said she was sitting in the public chairs at about 10am when the woman approached and told her there was a parent’s room where she could feed her baby and after she said she was comfortable where she was, the concierge insisted she moved because she was sitting in the “high class area of Pacific Fair”.

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Gold Coast mums Stephanie Ruzic, Shannon Laverty and Aliesha Fry will join about 50 other women inside Pacific Fair to breastfeed their babies in protest after one mum was told to "move on" by a female concierge while breastfeeding her young son. Picture: Supplied.

“What we really want to focus on surrounding this incident is the big picture,” she said.

“As much as we need to ensure the facility puts in place standards that are acceptable and positive moving forward, our main focus is to bring awareness to breastfeeding and help to normalise it.”

Ms Laverty said as a second-time mum she felt confident to stand up for herself, but she felt for all the mums that wouldn't feel comfortable enough or have the strength to stand their ground.

“I know as a first-time mum I know I wouldn’t have had the strength to, and would have moved along as the concierge was requesting,” she said.

“I’ve also learnt through this that one-in-three women suffer from birth trauma and suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in Australia, during pregnancy and the first 12 months following, meaning these comments that mothers receive could be life threatening.”

About 50 Gold Coast mums will stage a breastfeeding peaceful protest to support Shannon Laverty (centre) who was told there were other places she could fed her child at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Her friends Stephanie Ruzic and Aliesha Fry will be there. Picture: Supplied

She said the choice to breastfeed in public should be as acceptable as a mother’s decision to feed in a parent’s room.

“What we need to be clear on is that it’s illegal to prevent a mother from feeding her child in public. Anywhere, anytime,” she said.

A spokesperson from Pacific Fair apologised for the way Ms Laverty was treated.

“Pacific Fair is committed to being a safe and welcoming space for every customer and we apologise for the misunderstanding between a customer and a concierge team member who was trying to highlight one of the many dedicated parents areas in the centre,” they said.

Gold Coast mums Stephanie Ruzic, Shannon Laverty and Aliesha Fry will join a peaceful protest on Friday in Broadbeach. Picture: Supplied.

“At no point was any customer asked to move on while feeding.

“We would like to reaffirm that mothers are free to breastfeed wherever they are most comfortable and at any time throughout the centre.

“We have committed to undertaking additional training with all staff to ensure our customers have access to an inclusive, safe and welcoming environment when they visit Pacific Fair.”

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