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vacate the premises
Penneys 'urgently investigating' claims security guard took baby from breastfeeding mother
The security guard, according to the woman, forcibly removed the baby from her breast.
Updated at 12.30pm
A MOTHER IN the UK has claimed that a security guard at a Primark store removed her baby daughter as she was breastfeeding her.
Caroline Starmer shared her experience on Facebook, stating she fed her hungry nine-month-old girl yesterday in a quiet corner of the Leicester Primark store.
However, despite being discreet, she said a security guard approached her and told her to vacate the premises if she wanted to feed her daughter.
Starmer said she stood her ground, informing the worker she was well within her rights to breastfeed in the shop.
‘Forcibly removed’
She claims the security guard forcibly removed the child from her breast and proceeded to carry the child towards the exit.
It’s alleged the security guard said if she wanted her daughter she was to come and get her.
The story has been widely shared on social media, with many people voicing their disgust at how the mother was treated.
Starmer said she reported the incident to Primark and also to the police.
Penneys
Penneys – or Primark as it trades outside Ireland – said in a statement that women are free to breastfeed in their store if they wish.
It said it does not prohibit nursing mothers from breastfeeding.
In addition, any customer can request a quiet or private area within the store to breastfeed her child and our staff will use all reasonable endeavours to accommodate such a request.
In relation to the incident that occurred in Leicester, a spokesperson for the company said:
We wish to make it absolutely clear that mothers are welcome to breastfeed in our stores. We are investigating this incident urgently, and take these claims very seriously.
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