'It may be upsetting for shoppers': Outrage as shopping centre security banish mothers bottle feeding their babies to a parents' room

  • Angry mums have taken to Facebook after being told not to bottle feed in public
  •  The mums were told by security that bottle feeding could be offensive to some
  • A woman was told to move-on while feeding her nephew while his mum shopped

By BELINDA CLEARY, SENIOR FEMAIL REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

A man was left furious after his granddaughter was told she couldn't bottle feed a baby in public at a shopping center has revealed security told her to use the baby's room.

The woman was shopping at Stockland in Shellharbour near Wollongong with her sister and nephew when she decided to mind the young baby instead of going into Kmart.

But the decision to sit on the courtesy bench outside the shop caused her more trouble then she bargained for, according to her grandfather's Facebook complaint.

A man left furious after his granddaughter was told she couldn't bottle feed a baby in public, file image

A man left furious after his granddaughter was told she couldn't bottle feed a baby in public, file image

'My Granddaughter was bottle feeding her sister's baby, outside of Kmart, when she was approached by security personnel, and instructed to move to the parents room, as it maybe upsetting for some shoppers to see her,' he wrote.

'She was BOTTLE FEEDING her nephew.

'When she refused to move, she was threatened by the security 'person', that if she did not move, Police would be called.' 

The complaint was met with hundreds of passionate responses from parents who use the shopping centre - including two mothers who have also been told bottle feeding 'could be offensive'.

'Same thing happened to me!,' one mother said.

'It was a few wees ago and I was bottle feeding my newborn son and got asked to go to the parents room.

'I thought it was the rudest thing so I stayed on the seat and didn't go. 

'I'll feed my son wherever I want!'

While another woman also claimed the security guard threatened her with police for feeding her one-year-old outside of the parents room.

Following the complaint the shopping centre's Facebook Page was inundated with comments - with two mothers complaining they had also been asked not to bottle feed, file image

Following the complaint the shopping centre's Facebook Page was inundated with comments - with two mothers complaining they had also been asked not to bottle feed, file image

'I had my One-year-old on my lap having a bottle and was told to go to the parents room, I said no he threatened to call police,' she said.  

The woman said she handed the security guard her own phone and told him to call them but he didn't take it and walked away.

'I complained at courtesy desk n they could not have cared less,' she said.

A Stockland Shellharbour spokesperson responded to the Facebook posts claiming parents are allowed to feed their children anywhere in the centre.

'Stockland proudly promote inclusive spaces for our community and support families to feed or breastfeed their children in our malls.'

The mothers were aksed to move to the parents room to feed the babies, file image

The mothers were aksed to move to the parents room to feed the babies, file image

Stockland Shellharbour revealed their policy is to allow parents to feed their children anywhere in the centre

Stockland Shellharbour revealed their policy is to allow parents to feed their children anywhere in the centre

But their response did not appear to stop angry supporters from commenting.

'If anyone told me to move to the parents room they would be ripped a new one,' one woman said.

'When a baby needs to eat they need to eat doesn't matter where you are. If i can eat a burger in public why cant a baby have a boobie or bottle.

'This is disgusting and i hope his wife or partner never has to feed her child in public.'

Another mother commented on the post highlighting her concerns with the baby room.

'Maybe they should concentrate more on keeping weirdos out of the baby rooms and people might used them.. Last week told a cleaner about a strange lady in there and they really did nothing,' she said.

Another woman attacked the post with sarcasm.

'Fair enough. I hate when babies drink milk out of a bottle in public. It's very off putting... Strangest thing I've heard!'

While other mothers defended the centre claiming they breastfeed and bottle feed and have never had a problem. 

The post was flooded by comments angry at the security guard's actions

The post was flooded by comments angry at the security guard's actions

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