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Mother Removed from Nordstrom Bathroom for Breastfeeding Baby
A recent incident involving a mother breastfeeding her baby in a Nordstrom bathroom has sparked controversy and highlighted ongoing issues surrounding public nursing. Unfortunately, stories of mothers facing backlash for breastfeeding in public spaces are far too common. This time, a mother was instructed to leave a Nordstrom restroom due to complaints about her discreet nursing.
Ana Johnson, a mother from Utah, was at Nordstrom with her infant daughter, Lily, when Lily began to fuss due to hunger. Although nursing in public is her legal right, Ana opted to feed her baby in the privacy of the bathroom. “She was upset and needed to eat, so I went to the restroom and found an empty chair,” Ana recounted to local news outlet WTOL11.
You’d think that because Ana was trying to be considerate, there wouldn’t be any issues. However, shortly after she started nursing, a Nordstrom employee approached her to inform her that someone had complained about her presence in the bathroom. “We were told that a customer felt uncomfortable because there was a nursing mother in the restroom,” the employee explained. The proposed solution? Ana was asked to move to a changing room to continue breastfeeding.
Let’s take a moment to consider the absurdity of this situation. Here’s a mother with a hungry baby, potentially juggling a diaper bag and stroller, and she’s being told to relocate based on one person’s discomfort. This not only violates the law but also makes little sense. “At first, it was a bit humiliating,” Ana admitted. “I felt like I wasn’t doing anything wrong.” Her husband, Mark Johnson, echoed her sentiments, questioning why a nursing mother should be asked to leave the bathroom’s privacy.
Upset by the experience, the couple contacted the store manager, who issued an apology and assured them that employees would receive training on breastfeeding laws. While Ana and Mark appreciated the manager’s response, they emphasized the need for broader awareness regarding breastfeeding rights, especially among customers who might feel offended. “Society seems fine with provocative clothing or ads, yet a mother nursing can still be seen as offensive,” Ana pointed out.
Nordstrom has a stellar reputation for customer service, particularly regarding returns. It would be beneficial for them to extend this commitment to employee training on breastfeeding policies as well.
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In summary, Ana Johnson’s experience at Nordstrom highlights the ongoing stigma mothers face when breastfeeding, even in supposedly private spaces. The couple’s effort to raise awareness about breastfeeding laws is commendable, especially in a society where double standards still exist regarding what is deemed acceptable.