asked to breastfeed in the toilets on train!!

[Channicholls]

i was on a northern rail train yesterday with my 3 month old daughter. she required feeding. I was sat behind my pram and no one could see what I was doing.

When the ticket collector came to check tickets he asked if I could do what I was doing in the toilets. I responded by saying 'what breastfeeding' and he said yes. I told him I was fine where I was and didn't move and he left it. during the whole exchange he had his hand up and was making faces as though what I was doing was perverse.

I was really embarrassed and left feeling extremely uncomfortable and with everyone in the carriage watching me.

I called Northern rail today to make a complaint and was told by them that there was nothing they could do and its down to personal preference of conductors.

what are my next steps? I feel like I was treated badly and that this shouldn't be allowed by such a large company (or anyone for that matter).

Can feel my blood pressure rising!! Definitely complain about this. What a disgrace of a man.

Wow. Dangerous, minging and illegal.Write to your mp and get them to pursue it too.

I just got a tweet from Andy who is concerned.

Bloody hell, I just bf my 17 month old on an east Coast train and no one dared to say a word

OP, what is the name of your local newspaper?

Totally rejoining twitter just in order to join the righteous Twitchfork Mob these twats deserve!

Oh boy, change of direction. OP, Andy would like you to call him

I don't do twitter but do they have a fb page?

This is disgraceful, god I hate using train toilets as they are rank and will always wait till I get to my destination if I can, to suggest you bfeed in them...yuck yuck yuck and more importantly illegal!

I just got a tweet back from northern rail saying they will only deal with the customer. Not me as I am a third party.

So maybe people should ask for clarification on their BF policy so that they know whether they will be able to use Northern Rail next time they travel with their baby? Surely they can deal with potential customers?

I don't twitter or FB - but hope you get somewhere with this.

By the way, OP well done - for good answer and not moving! Sorry you were made uncomfortable by this idiot and his employers.
Have you tried calling again and asking to escalate to the manager of whoever is on the phone? The answer you got was in no way acceptable.

OP, Andy's number is 08081 561606.

OP twenty years ago I had a similar experience in a John Lewis café "There's a place for that" . I complained to the Store Manager who replied that he supported the woman clearing tables since even if I didn't find it offensive, many people did. So I involved Tommy's campaign who at that time were giving awards to breastfeeding friendly places, which John Lewis had recently won, and wrote to the CEO. I got a profuse apology and an apology from clearer upper, and store manager. Go to the top, and involve every pro breastfeeding organisation, and since it is illegal threaten them with legal action. Only if we keep kicking up stinks will we ensure this isn't still happening in 20 years time. Sorry I don't tweet but I will do an email.

Do you think they have seen this thread and are testing the wrath of mnet?! . As they should!

I have tweeted as well.

I was about to retweet too and tweet them, but they seem to be panicking slightly.
Good on you op for wanting to kick up a fuss. I have never heard such nonsence, bf in a train toilet, HOW exactly?

Andy tweets that northernrailorg are compliant with the Equality Act.

i am really happy with all the help and advice from everyone so thank you.

northern rail sent an email asking for details of what happened which i have responded to but im still waiting a reply.

thanks again for the support

CEO of Northern Rail's email [email protected]

Let's take these wankers down! Sorry feeling highly militant here. As soon as baby asleep I will start invoking the wrath if all the lactivist groups I know. Andy should have a handful. I agree TRAINING is what we want as well as apology to OP.

Take a look at the board and see if any of them are an MP. Normally there is an MP or an exMP on these boards. These people tend to be more responsive.

I would also speak to your MP and get them involved.

Northen Rail have just tweeted this:

Congratulations @northernrailorg you are #13 on UK Twitter Social Customer Care Leaders. www.leaderboarded.com/release/35233 via @leaderboarded

Coincidence?

I wouldn't even take a baby into a train toilet let alone feed one in there! BOAK.

I don't tweet or I would - I'm sure lots of people will.

Nice to think that they believe breaking the law is an option their conductors have. Idiots.

The excellent www.ceoemail.com/ site gave me this info:

Northern Rail

Ian Bevan Managing Director

E-mail [email protected]
Website www.northernrail.org
Company Twitter @northernrailorg

I don't Andy is all that bothered by the Tweets he has received.