Feilding store now breastfeed friendly
The Feilding Warehouse has joined others around the country in support of public breastfeeding, welcoming new mums and their baby into the store.
The store has erected a series of posters over the last couple of months to help break the negative stigma associated with breastfeeding.
National breastfeeding lobby, the New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance was quick to applaud the retail giant’s public expression of support for nursing mothers, which extends to staff finding a private place for breastfeeding if requested.
Breastfeeding mum and The Warehouse customer, Teresa Watson from Ashhurst, wasn’t aware of the store’s accommodating attitude towards breastfeeding, finding out about it from her Facebook newsfeed after the NZBA went public.
’’At least one of my friends had remarked on it and ‘liked’ it, so it showed up.’’
Breastfeeding 6-month-old Eva, Watson also nursed first child Lily until her daughter self-weaned at around 15 months.
‘‘There’s a lot of research about how beneficial breastfeeding is for children, and it was important for me when I started out being a mum.
‘‘I was really pleased about [the post]. It can be nerve-wracking and cause anxiety when your baby wants a feed when you are out,’’ she said.
‘‘My 6-month-old likes to look around at everything, and it’s good having a secluded place that’s quiet and comfortable. I don’t like to show off... if she wants to look around, I’m not going to expose myself, if you know what I mean.’’
Watson said the breastfeeding-friendly approach adopted by The Warehouse and other like-minded city retailers meant she was able to enjoy her shopping.
‘‘It’s much better than having to go and hide in the car.’’
She had never been ostracised for public breastfeeding, but had heard stories about women subjected to shaming over publicly nursing their children.
‘‘I felt really sad that others thought it was unseemly. Their child is hungry and they want to feed it.’’
Negative reactions Watson said show there is still a stigma attached to a practice that is quite natural.
Operations manager for The Warehouse, Shane Cornelius said the Feilding Warehouse had always accepted breastfeeding, but had only recently decided to publicly show their support.
‘‘The option is there for them to ask for somewhere private and comfortable, but it’s also ok for customers to breastfeed anywhere they want. We’re not going to tell them what’s appropriate and what’s not.’’