Confusion over breastfeed ban
Train station sign apology
RAIL chiefs have apologised to mums amid confusion over a sign which led them to mistakenly believe that breastfeeding had been banned in the open at Loughborough train station.
It comes after a photo was tweeted of a sign at the station which read: “Nursing Mothers - Infant and baby changing facilities are available for your convenience. These are located in the disabled toilet - the door to which is located nearby, on Platform 1.”
Sophie (@Fifijane83) shared the image and tweeted: “Loughborough train station should be ashamed of itself. Nursing mothers should not be told to feed their children in a toilet. I am appalled.
“So many readings of the same sign. I can’t understand why nursing mothers is in bold if it’s not meaning for them to feed in the toilet. If it’s purely for changing purposes why doesn’t it just say ‘baby change’?”
The sign was shared widely on Twitter - and sparked numerous comments by the public. But rail officials moved to clear up the confusion and explained that mothers are welcome to breastfeed anywhere in Loughborough station.
An East Midlands Trains spokesperson said: “Mothers are welcome to breast- feed wherever it is safe and they feel comfortable to do so, this includes in stations and on our trains.
“The sign at Loughborough simply intended to let mothers know there was also a dedicated space if they wished to feed in privacy or wanted to use the baby changing facilities.
“We are sorry if anyone interpreted the sign in any other way and we will amend the sign to make that a bit clearer.”
On seeing the tweet, Claire Nicholls @ bristol_teacher said: “‘Nursing mothers’ then location of baby change...? Do they even know what ‘nursing’ means? That’s nothing to do with changing. Can men change nappies? Who changes the baby if they’re formula fed? Such a bizarre sign. So much ignorance all in one place.”
Sandra Leaton Gray @drleatongray tweeted: “I am not sure why it’s headlined ‘nursing mothers’ if you are not meant to feed your child in the loo (which is a bizarre practice). Perhaps Loughborough might go nuts now and introduce a special, comfortable breastfeeding room for mothers and babies <hopeful>”
And Dr Janet Goodall @janetifimust tweeted: “I believe it’s not legal to suggest that a nursing mother not stay precisely where she is. If what they meant was: Baby changing facilities are in a place men and women can both use them - that’s to be applauded.”