Breastfeeder tossed out of Perth hotel

[Jender]

Only in WA>................

The Equal Opportunity Commission has called on the State Government to legislate to protect breastfeeding mothers from discrimination and bring WA in line with the rest of the nation.

The call comes after Mandy Crabtree, of Bedford, was told to leave a restaurant in one of Perth’s premier hotels to breastfeed her seven-monthold son Taj, which she says left her frustrated and embarrassed.

BLOG: Should breastfeeding mothers be protected under the law?

Equal Opportunity Commission acting commissioner Allan Macdonald said yesterday the Equal Opportunity Act needed to be amended because it created doubt over the legal right of mothers to breastfeed in public. He said all the other States and Territories had legislated to protect a woman’s right to breastfeed, with South Australia in the process of making the change.

“If there had been an equivalent hotel in Brisbane or Sydney then (a mother) would have certainty about her rights under that State’s legislation,” Mr Macdonald said.

“In other jurisdictions it’s been put beyond doubt because they’ve amended their State equal opportunity laws to specifically include a reference to breastfeeding, so there is no debate or discussion.”

Ms Crabtree said staff at the Hyatt Regency Perth gave no explanation why she could not feed her son in the nearly empty buffet restaurant on Sunday night and she intended to lodge a complaint against the hotel.

“It’s really discrimination to be told you have to leave to feed your own baby,” Ms Crabtree said. “I was shocked. I didn’t know what to do. I was really hurt by it.”

A spokesman for the Hyatt said it had no policy against breastfeeding and blamed the incident on inexperienced staff.

Breastfeeding Association Australia WA spokeswoman Kirsten Tannenbaum said women should not have to justify when and where they wanted to breastfeed. She said all States should have clear legislation so mothers could breastfeed in public places without any discrimination. Shadow women’s interests minister Michelle Roberts said it was time WA came in line with the rest of Australia. Attorney-General Christian Porter said he was considering the recommendations of a 2007 review of the Act.

[workin'mumof2]

:banghead::thumbsdown::hair: this is so wrong..

chucked out for feeding a baby:no::no:

[Nomsie]

:mad:

So, on a related issue and one I have been meaning to ask about: at my local health centre, there is a poster stating that it is against the law for someone to ask you to stop breastfeeding in public- is that true? I am in Vic BTW.... :detective:

[Jender]

It is likely to be true in Vic- just hasn't happened in WA yet.

[lulu 2]

I doubt this was a case of hotel policy i have seen plenty of new mums bf in burswood hotel and the sheraton and I didn't think the hyatt was any diff. It sounds like an idiot employee and if it was me I would have told them to go away and speak to the manager its a way of not causing fuss. If indeed it was the manager then that sounds like a free weekend at the hotel to me for harrasment lol.

[Milliner]

:mad:

So, on a related issue and one I have been meaning to ask about: at my local health centre, there is a poster stating that it is against the law for someone to ask you to stop breastfeeding in public- is that true? I am in Vic BTW.... :detective:

Yes, it's illegal

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/public-breastfeeding-gets-the-ok/2007/09/23/1190486137533.html

[reAllytee]

Disgusting :thumbsdown::banghead:

Heaven forbid we are subjected to something thats normal & natural !

Bet a woman in a low cut top & short skirt wouldve been ok though !



Its illegal in NSW & Vic ... Not sure about elsewhere !

[Myztik]

I doubt this was a case of hotel policy i have seen plenty of new mums bf in burswood hotel and the sheraton and I didn't think the hyatt was any diff. It sounds like an idiot employee and if it was me I would have told them to go away and speak to the manager its a way of not causing fuss. If indeed it was the manager then that sounds like a free weekend at the hotel to me for harrasment lol.

:yes: I bf my DS1 at the Hyatt when we went there for a family dinner.. No one batted an eyelid.

Poor woman though. Hopefully they'll pass the legislation now.

[Jender]

Only in WA was my comment. I have written to the editor - here is my letter. The paper has called me to say my letter has been shortlisted so let's see if it appears


Your report “Call for breastfeeding law after mum’s shame” depressed and amazed me in equal measure. When I had my first child two years ago I breastfed in many well-known Perth restaurants including Bar One and Must Wine Bar. I also fed during coffee catch-ups with clients. No-one turned a hair so it amazes me that someone would be turfed out of a restaurant for breastfeeding. Now I have had my second child six weeks ago, I will be breastfeeding whenever and wherever my child needs it and probably in many of the same places. In this era where it is almost impossible to eat anything that has not been touched by preservatives, I am depressed by the idea that breastfeeding – providing your child with the ultimate in organic goodness – is even required to be protected b

[Flashdance]

I hope that poor woman got an apology from the hotel.

What a disgrace. Shame on them!:banghead:

[cmd'smum]

I agree with Nell!

Guess where I'll be BF my new bub :devil6:

Shame Hyatt, Shame!!!:shame:

[jimmysmummy]

That is terrible.:no:

I have to say though, the woman should have stood up for herself and refused to leave.

There is NO WAY I would move my butt if I was feeding my child!

[bronny-jane]

she should sue them... they wont ask another women to leave again;)

[NibbleCurlynBub]

I had no idea about this law... Not at all.

I've always BFed wherever my babies have needed it... Never been questioned. :no:

What a shame for the Hyatt to soil their reputation by discriminating against a baby having their dinner. It shouldn't have happened. :thumbsdown:

[floodprincess]

she should sue them... they wont ask another women to leave again;)

:iagree:

How disgusting....we should all storm the Hyatt and have a BF sit-in!!

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

Discusting:thumbsdown:

[NibbleCurlynBub]

How disgusting....we should all storm the Hyatt and have a BF sit-in!!
:iagree: Lets do that! :p

[justmum]

Funny you should mention it.

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=250528

See you there hubbers.

[NibbleCurlynBub]

:p Snap, I just found and posted in it when you posted here!

[84zsazsa]

Disgusting!!! I know where I will never again be staying or recommending. I would have told them to get F#$KED and continued my meal/convo...whateva I was doing!! Protest away ladies...:thumbsup:...would be there if I was closer!!

Danni

[Bubmum]

:thumbsup: for everyone who protests this. What an absolute debacle...that poor bubba and Mumma.

[mummymg]

Does anyone actually know how this situation came about? I mean, was the mother sitting at her table breastfeeding and she was approached by the staff who asked her to stop or leave? Or did she approach the staff and ask if it would be OK to breastfeed there and they directed her to somewhere else?

I think it matters how the situation unfolded.
I am the breastfeeding queen. I just feed where ever and whenever and have never asked anyone if it was OK with them or even made any type of announcement that I was about to feed. I've had some looks from bypassers and even some comments but I've never been asked to stop or move by anyone who works in the places I have been.

However, if I were to ask if it was Ok to breastfeed my child, I am open to two answers, yes or no. It means I'm not sure if it will be ok and I'd better check. By asking, I am saying that I will do what the other person says. I mean, I wouldn't ask the staff if it were OK, he/she says no, then I proceed to feed anyway - I would have just gone about my breastfeeding without getting anyones Ok, because I don't feel I need it.

This is my longwinded way of saying that we should have laws protecting the right of all women to breastfeed their children in public here in WA. Clearly it's needed. Let's lobby for that.

[bronny-jane]

Does anyone actually know how this situation came about? I mean, was the mother sitting at her table breastfeeding and she was approached by the staff who asked her to stop or leave?

that is what she was doing sitting down feeding her baby;)

[smileyren75]

Hi She asked if she could sit in a quieter area of the hotel to breastfeed and was then told that she was not allowed.

Interestingly i came upon this thread on the footy goss chat room. Some comments there that made me really angry, but others that redeem men.
http://www.footygoss.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/11275/

good for a laugh.

[Jender]

Some of those posts make me spit and others made me smile - ahhh men. Actually, both my father and boss (men in their 60s) were amazed at the fuss, thought this issue had been put to bed a long time ago

[proudpublicbreastfeeder]

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you all know about a protest that has been organised for tuesday 21/4 at 9.30am(yes, only 2 days notice im sorry!) in support of women being able to breastfeed in public areas without fear of discrimmination. The location is secret to make sure the protest isnt stopped before it begins but contact me on the email address at the bottom of this post and i will send you all the info.:)

This protest has been organised in response to Mandy Crabtree being asked to leave the perth Hyatt hotel after she asked to feed her 7mo in a secluded area of the restaurant.:banghead:

In WA there is no specific laws to protect women from this happening, we are the only state in Australia with this problem. The protest has already had exposure on 6PR radio on friday and 'today tonight' will be filming us on the day.

Even if we dont succeed in gaining legislation its important to get as much coverage as possible, to promote BF as normal, and to encourage mums-to-be and new mothers in their choice to breastfeed, letting them know that they have our support. If you would like more info please contact me at breastfeedingprotes@rocketmail.com (breastfeedingprotes@rocketmail.com) (it looks like there is a spelling error in the email but it is correct.)

To clarify, this is a separate protest to the one being held outside Colin Barnetts office on thursday - if you're unable to make it to that one why not come along on tuesday or viceversa:)