Breastfeeding mum receives an apology

Emma Mitchell and her son. Aaron

OLDHAM Council has apologised to a mother who was refused permission to breastfeed in the civic centre.

The Oldham Chronicle revealed earlier this week that Emma Mitchell (32), from Shaw, was outraged at being told to go to the Spindles shopping centre to feed her baby, Aaron, after being told the council HQ was a “multicultural centre”.

The story has since been followed up by national newspapers and regional TV.

She felt so embarrassed about the situation that she ended up feeding her baby in her car.

Under UK law, mothers can breastfeed in public whatever the baby’s age.

Councillor Shoab Akhtar maintained that the council fully supports the right of any mother to breastfeed children and actively encouraged it due to the long-term health benefits.

He said: “Ms Mitchell’s disappointing experience has highlighted the need to make all our staff fully aware of our policy and our legal requirements. All staff will be trained in the coming days to ensure this never happens again. We are contacting Ms Mitchell to unreservedly apologise for the unnecessary difficulty she experienced.

“As previously stated, Access Oldham does not have dedicated breastfeeding facilities available, however staff are now aware that they should make every reasonable effort to assist a mother’s need to breastfeed — whether she requests the use of a private room or otherwise.”

Miss Mitchell said: “I am grateful the council have admitted their mistake and that they are putting measures in place to stop this happening to other breastfeeding mothers.

“These measures should have been in place for years. This has caused me immense distress and humiliation.”

The council said it always acts on feedback from residents and was glad that this issue was brought to its attention.