A CROWD of breastfeeding mothers took over part of a town centre in protest on Friday morning.

Scores of Teesside parents turned out to show solidarity to a young mother who was asked to breastfeed in a toilet by restaurant staff reportedly fearing she would upset other customers. 

Ellie Webster was left in tears after staff at Middlesbrough's W2 World Buffet Restaurant made the controversial request earlier this week.

The restaurant’s team issued an apology at the lively demonstration after a member of staff asked the 23-year-old to take her newborn to the disabled toilet to feed.

It was the first time Ms Webster had tried to feed her baby, week old Lottie, in public and the reaction left her angered and upset.

Within hours of recounting her experience online, almost a thousand people had shared her Facebook post and a protest had been organised outside the restaurant.

The Northern Echo:

Campaigner breastfeeding outside the restaurant

Friday morning saw scores of families arrive at the eatery on Middlesbrough’s Captain Cook Square, where they were met by apologetic restaurant staff who later offered all protestors a free lunch.

Wielding placards and breastfeeding outside the premises, the campaigners expressed their support for Ms Webster as they attempted to raise awareness of a parent’s right to breastfeed in public.

The demonstration was organised by Middlesbrough woman Lucy Cuzzocrea, who brought along children Maya and Luca.

She said: “It’s so important when anything like this happens not just to walk on by and pretend it never happened but to stand up and show people that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Amena Younis, who bought along her four-month-old baby, said she wanted to show her support for the cause but also to let people know that breastfeeding was not forbidden in Islam, following social media posts that suggested concern over Muslim customers had prompted the restaurant’s decision.

She said: “It is the most natural thing in the world – feeding a child is not offensive in any religion.”

Ms Webster said she had been surprised but touched by the show of support, adding: “I was crying my eyes out when it happened, it was horrible.

“I didn’t know this kind of thing was a big deal but now I know I have the right to breastfeed wherever I want and this has given me more confidence to do so.”

A spokesman for the restaurant apologised and said “every step” was being taken to ensure their mistake was rectified.

He said an urgent staff meeting had addressed the issue and that the restaurant has now signed up to a council initiative aimed at promoting breastfeeding friendly venues.

Your comments on the breastfeeding row

Claire Greenhow: Women should be able to breastfeed where they want. It’s a natural thing feeding your baby. Many grown men and women do worse things in public.

Gemma Seymour: Would they eat their dinner in the toilet? Why should a newborn have theirs there! As if new mothers aren’t anxious enough about breastfeeding without being reduced to tears in front of a restaurant of people and sent to the loos ‘too finish off’. Personally I’ll never set foot in there. 

Caz Trainor: Babies should be allowed to feed anywhere - breast or bottle. People need to get a grip! Why on earth would people have a problem with a baby feeding from their mother I'll never know?

Karen Lythe: Women have breasts for that very purpose, it's the most natural thing ever. It's just the minds of a lot of people that see them as sexual purposes and not for what they are actually on a lady's body for.

Angel Diane Didi: It's a baby that needs feeding. Would you starve your kids? its disgusting to be treated that way all because your baby is hungry.

Grace Beevers: I’m expecting my first in February. I dare anyone to tell me not to breastfeed in public. They will wish they kept their mouth shut!
There are girls going out partying in very very little these days and showing off a lot more boob than a mother breastfeeding does so why is it acceptable for girls more or less naked going parting acceptable but a mother doing the most natural thing we should do for our baby is not in some narrow minds? Makes my blood boil!

Dave Wilson: Nothing wrong with it - it's natural and anyway you can't see owt.