Meadowhall issues apology after mum forced to breastfeed her baby on the floor

Meadowhall has apologised to a woman who was told to sit on the floor to breastfeed her baby which had prompted online outrage.
Meadowhall apologises to a woman who was forced to sit on the floor to breastfeed her child.Meadowhall apologises to a woman who was forced to sit on the floor to breastfeed her child.
Meadowhall apologises to a woman who was forced to sit on the floor to breastfeed her child.

The woman had on Thursday expressed her frustration in a Facebook post after a staff member of a coffee chain refused to allow her to sit on a chair to nurse due to the lockdown restrictions.

She also claimed that the mall did not provide any designated feeding areas, calling them "an absolute disgrace".

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A spokesperson from Meadowhall said they have apologised to the mum in a comment they posted under her Facebook post, which has since been taken down.

In a statement issued later, they said: "We should have offered her a chair, or directed her to the designated breastfeeding spaces we have in the centre.

"We’ve reminded all of our team and retailers of our policy.”

Meadowhall said they have two nursing rooms at the mall that are located in the management suite which can be accessed via the Oasis and at the Park Lane toilets on the Upper Level.

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The mall also has four areas for bottle warming at the lower level, upper level, arcade toilets baby changing facilities and lower high street toilets baby changing facilities.

Earlier this year, Sheffield City Council had criticised Meadowhall for its lack of breastfeeding support at the mall.

There are 260 breastfeeding friendly venues in Sheffield, but in a report the council wanted more organisations to provide facilities and was particularly critical of Meadowhall.

In response, Meadowhall said that they would strive to improve their facilities and welcome any feedback.