Woman asks young mother not to breastfeed at Dartford's Central Park, gets 'squirted at' in return
Published: 00:00, 09 August 2016
Updated: 15:41, 09 August 2016
Social media is ablaze after a woman claimed she was ‘squirted at’ by a mother who was breastfeeding in Dartford’s Central Park.
The alleged victim’s post on the Dartford Gossip Facebook page, in which she also accuses the other woman of swearing at her, has been shared almost 400 times since last Thursday evening.
It reads: “To the lady in Dartford park who thought it was appropriate to breastfeed her baby whilst my child and very easily distracted husband sat nearby.
“I don’t think it was necessary for you to react the way you did just because I asked you to go somewhere private [...] squirting me with your boobs was incredibly uncalled for. I hope you are ashamed of yourself.”
Hundreds of people have commented on the post, with most coming to the defence of the breastfeeding woman.
Anna Salmon said: “Her reaction is not on but why shouldn’t she feed her baby in public? I would have had a few choice words for you if you had asked me to go else where.
“There is something wrong with people who think seeing someone breastfeeding is inappropriate.”
Natasha Chandler-Honnor agreed and defended the woman for breastfeeding her child in a public place.
She said: “While this breastfeeding mum’s reaction to you asking her to go somewhere private was probably uncalled for, so was you asking her to move to a private place in the first place.
Other breastfeeding controversies
Rochester Coffee Company in backlash after mother told to breastfeed baby in toilets
Ashford mum wins payout after breastfeeding ban in swimming pool at Stour Centre
Breast-feeding mum told to quit at Tesco in Sheerness
“After all, women have the right to breastfeed their babies. I don’t have a problem with those that decide not to breastfeed, but breasts were made to feed babies as it is what nature intended and not for your husband to ogle.”
Many of the those who have commented on the post also criticise the woman’s husband, while others reference a law that protects the rights of breastfeeding mothers.
The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for anyone to ask a breastfeeding woman to leave a public place, such as a cafe, shop or public transport.
Guidance on the NHS England website tells new mothers: “You shouldn’t ever be made to feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public.”
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Tom Acres