‘Are you embarrassed?’: Mother shocked after being asked to breastfeed in cafe toilet

THIS young mum was humiliated after cafe staff asked if she was “embarrassed” to be breastfeeding, telling her to go to the toilet.

New Zealand mum Gabby Bond and her daughter Penelope.

A CHRISTCHURCH mum was humiliated after cafe staff told her to breastfeed in the toilet.

Gabby Bond was at the Water Drop Cafe when she began breastfeeding her three-month-old baby Penelope. However, two staff members then asked her “Are you embarrassed?” before telling her she must breastfeed in the bathroom.

The 27-year-old mother, who has never had a problem breastfeeding in public before, told One News it was a “highly traumatic and embarrassing ordeal”.

“Another waitress then came over and stood next to the one talking to me, and didn’t say anything, sort of like supporting her,” Ms Bond said. “I was shocked and stunned. I never thought anything like this would happen to me in this day and age.”

Ms Bond and her friends then swiftly left the cafe.

Her friend, Sophie Prangnell, complained on the cafe’s Facebook page, writing: “I was so excited to try Water Drop Cafe as I loved the look of their menu and appreciate the effort put into making vegetarian food.

“My experience was probably one of my worst cafe experiences however.

“I went here today with friends to have lunch. One of our party was breastfeeding her three-month-old daughter and was asked by staff members to ‘go to the toilet as it was embarrassing’. I found this so out of line. We cancelled our orders and left so my friend was able to finish feeding her baby.

“Unsure if perhaps this was down to religious reasons being that the cafe is attached to a temple but in this day and age I was shocked to see such an archaic view point.”

Water Drop Cafe has since apologised, but defended its staff member’s actions, writing: “We totally support breastfeeding but because of past experience, we got complaints from the other visitors saying that was inappropriate, so we were not sure what to do.”

The cafe issued a statement on its Facebook page apologising to Ms Bond and outlining to customers what breastfeeding facilities are available. Ms Prangnell replied: “Awesome to see a change in your breastfeeding policy and great to hear that all of your staff are on the same page.”

Locals have come out in support of the cafe, as well as Ms Bond.

“I am so so pleased to see the receptive feedback. Such an amazing place, I believe this to be a true apology, of such a miscommunication,” one person wrote. Another said: “Great to see a resolve being made. Looking forward to heading there again as always.”

This article originally appeared on NZ Herald and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as ‘Are you embarrassed?’: Mother shocked after being asked to breastfeed in cafe toilet