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McDonald's apologises after group of mothers staged sit-in over breast-feeding ban
Last updated at 01:08am on 19.07.08
A McDonald's manager who told a young woman to stop breastfeeding found himself faced with a demonstration of Mum Power.
Maddie Reynolds returned with five friends she had met at ante-natal classes and they staged a mass feed-in at the restaurant.
'We all walked in to McDonald's together and sat around one table right by the counter,' said 27-year-old Miss Reynolds, a nursery nurse from Bournemouth.
Mum power: The friends from ante-natal class converge on McDonald's for the feed-in. Maddie Reynolds is fourth from the left
'We began breastfeeding our babies all at the same time to make a point. We caused a bit of a stir among customers but none of the staff looked our way.
'Someone told a manager what we were doing but he just muttered that he couldn't comment.'
The incident happened at the McDonald's branch inside an Asda supermarket in the resort.
Miss Reynolds was feeding ten-week-old Sophie when the staff member intervened.
'I had a proper maternity top on which is designed for breastfeeding so no one could see anything,' she said.
'I was angry when the man told me to leave but knew I wasn't doing anything wrong so I carried on. But he just stood there and watched me for a few minutes.
Angry: Maddie Reynolds, with daughter Sophie, was asked to leave for breastfeeding
'I felt so humiliated but put my head down and didn't stop and eventually he walked off. I felt so cross and upset.'
Miss Reynolds lives with partner Karl Brackenborough, 29, who works as a television fitter and repairer.
She added: 'I choose to breastfeed Sophie because I know it's healthy and the best thing for her.
'I remember reading about a similar incident a while back where a woman was thrown out of a coffee shop for breastfeeding.
'She was so upset by it that she started using bottles instead. I wasn't prepared to let something like that happen to anyone else again.'
Fellow protester Catherine Davis, 19, took her seven-week-old daughter Amelia along to the sit-in.
She said: 'I just thought the way Maddie was treated was disgusting. It's the most natural thing to feed your baby and there's nothing wrong with it.
'Everyone says breast is best. I have breastfed in public and no one ever has ever said anything to me. I think it's fine as long as you are discreet.'
Alison Purves, spokesman for McDonald's, said the company was 'disappointed' by the junior manager's actions. Breastfeeding mothers were welcomed in all its restaurants.
'This manager was working unilaterally and not following company policy at all. If another customer ever expressed their discomfort about breastfeeding we would encourage them to move rather than the mum.
'What we don't want to do is to make mums feel as if they have to hide away.'
She said the manager involved had been told he had made a mistake.
'We are confident he will make the right decision in future.'
Reader views (7)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Use a little common sense. Like Mel from London said, express yourself at home, put it in a bottle and feed your child from a bottle at McDonald's or better yet just feed your kid at home. Your baby will not starve to death if you don't feed it at McDonald's. We have more important things to change in this country and it ain't breast feeding in public. The photo of Maddie Reynolds and her daughter Sophia show that they both should go on a diet.
Little Sophia and her mother eat too much. Type 2 diabetes is ramped in this country and it can start with over weight babies. Mother Maddie back off on the milk or your child could become diabetic.
- Bill, Mpls
A perfect example of peaceful protest in the face of ignorant injustice. I applaud these women and think they are clearly more refined than some who write on this board.
I am sad to know that even today there are some who do not understand or appreciate the beauty of breastfeeding a child. It is a natural and wonderful thing that until only recently in human history was a regular public activity. We need more women like Maddie and less like Mel to make our world a better place for future generations of women.
- Christine, USA
What an unrefined bunch of women. Find some facilities, feed your baby at home or express before you leave the house. Most people don't want to see you breastfeeding (yes, I am a woman) in public. Please don't impose yourself on other members of public. It is an arrogant action.
- Mel, London
Way to go Maddie and friends! I was once offered a disabled toilet in Cafe Rouge, Solihull as a place to breastfeed my daughter - naturally I declined and continued feeding discreetly in the corner of the restaurant but a lot of women out there would feel under pressure to stop and move on. I just don't get the mentality of some people. They are quite happy to see a pair of knockers in a newspaper, but shove a baby on them and suddenly they're offended! That manager is a moron and should be ashamed of himself.
- Maria, Birmingham
'We all walked in to McDonald's together and sat around one table right by the counter,' said 27-year-old Miss Reynolds.
I trust they purchased their food orders before doing so, since McDonald's facilities are quite rightly reserved for paying customers. And presumably Miss Reynolds chose the healthiest items on the menu.
- Marianne, SW France
Nice parenting, let's take the kids to McD's for some nice healthy food, I'm only surprised they breastfed rather than giving them a milkshake.
- Bob, Cheam
Way to go girls! Yet seriously, if you're breastfeeding should you be eating at McDs? Think of your children and don't start them off in life with such an example.
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark
