JDW sorry after breastfeeding demand

By Nikkie Sutton

- Last updated on GMT

Mums welcome: JDW said the employee’s comment was an ‘error in judgment’
Mums welcome: JDW said the employee’s comment was an ‘error in judgment’
Pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has apologised after a breastfeeding mother was asked to cover her baby’s head by a member of staff.

Becky Bolger was at the Square Peg in Birmingham with her 17-month-old son and her sister for a meal, according to Birmingham Live​.

She was breastfeeding her son when she was approached by a member of the pub’s staff who asked her to cover the toddler’s head.

JDW has apologised and said the incident was down to an ‘error of judgment’ from the member of staff before emphasising that breastfeeding mothers were welcome in its pubs.

Getting negativity

Birmingham Live ​reported Bolger said: “I did explain to her that if I covered his head it would only cause more of a scene. I was really quite angry but tried to stay calm.

“I’d never been asked this before and I felt really uncomfortable for the whole time I was there because I was just trying to feed my son and I was just getting negativity.

“My sister was so angry, she wanted to go and scream and shout. I said there is no point because we will only get kicked out if anything.

“I’m not the sort of person who likes to complain or likes confrontation. If I had stopped feeding my son altogether he would have screamed the place down.

“Even though I felt uncomfortable, I didn’t want it to affect me or stop me doing what I always do.”

Welcome at all pubs

Birmingham Live ​also reported Bolger’s husband contacted the complaints office and JDW boss about the incident as well as posted in breastfeeding and feminist groups on Facebook.

JDW spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We apologise wholeheartedly to the lady and her baby.

“It is JDW’s clear policy that breastfeeding mothers are welcome at all of our pubs. On this occasion, a member of staff made an error in judgment.”

Bolger said she wouldn’t not be visiting the pub again. She told the local newspaper: “It is about training for the staff, that is all it is. They just need to be more informed that they can’t do that.

“As my husband pointed out, previously when we have been in that bar we have even been flashed, so me breastfeeding is nothing compared to that.”

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