In a world where mothers often face scrutiny for breastfeeding in public, a recent incident at Nordstrom has sparked even more conversation. A Utah mother, named Laura Thompson, was asked to leave the bathroom area of a Nordstrom store after she began breastfeeding her baby, Lily, in what she thought was a private, comfortable setting.
Understanding how hungry babies can get, Laura opted for the restroom to nurse her little one, believing it to be a sensible choice. “Lily was fussy and needed to eat, so I found a chair in the restroom,” Laura explained to local news station WTOL11. It’s worth noting that she had every right to breastfeed in the store itself without a cover if she chose, but she felt more at ease in the bathroom.
However, just a few moments into nursing, a Nordstrom employee approached her and mentioned that someone had complained about her presence. “We were informed that a customer felt uncomfortable because there was a nursing mother in the restroom,” the employee said. Instead of supporting the mother, the employee suggested she move to a changing room to continue nursing.
The absurdity of this situation is hard to ignore. Here’s a mother with a hungry baby, a diaper bag, and possibly a stroller, being told to relocate based on one person’s discomfort. “It was embarrassing at first,” Laura admitted. “I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.” Her partner, David Thompson, echoed her sentiment, questioning why a nursing mother should be made to leave a restroom simply because of someone else’s discomfort.
Feeling upset, the couple took their concerns to the store manager, who apologized and assured them that Nordstrom would educate its staff on public breastfeeding laws. While Laura and David appreciated the response, they hope to raise awareness about breastfeeding rights, especially among those who may hold outdated views. “It’s interesting how society accepts provocative advertising, yet a nursing mother can be deemed offensive,” Laura remarked.
Nordstrom has always been known for its exceptional customer service, and it’s time for this stellar reputation to extend to employee training on sensitive topics like breastfeeding.
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In summary, the incident at Nordstrom highlights the ongoing challenges breastfeeding mothers face in public spaces. While Laura Thompson’s experience was unfortunate, it serves as a reminder of the need for better understanding and support for nursing mothers everywhere.