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).

They have replied to my message on fb saying you are welcome to bfeed on their trains, they have seen the complaint on twitter etc and are going to seek clarification from the conducted..,

They want to speak to the conductor and ascertain what happened...

Not a twitter user but will email the MD.

wow thanks for support, local newspaper is Louth Leader and Grimsby Telegraph.

the email just ask what had happened. which we responded to.

tried calling as Andy requested and just got through to a multi desk customer service team who didnt know much about what we was speaking about. but said now they have all the info it will be investigated.

My email to Neil has apparently got through...

I wouldn't even wee in a train toilet, let alone feed a baby. Disgusting!

Well done for pursuing this!

Can anyone post the tweet record (sorry don't really understand how to see / check it!!)

I'm a known sender too....

Speak to the conductor to ascertain what happened. What a cheek!! You just told them what happened!

Have retweeted too. Totally unacceptable suggestion by the conductor.

Can you tell us the conductor's name. He sooooooooo needs re-educating.

Brilliant!

1 tweet and I'm being asked to "please let us investigate"!

They should have been investigating when first approached with a complaint instead of advising that it was conductor preference

Sounds like to me Andy is trying to make it out like OP has misunderstood the conductor. Also he needs to be told that they said it was preference on the phone whilst making an official complaint. He sounds dumb as hell.

Hi All,

My name is Pete Myers I am the Head of our Customer Relations team at Northern Rail and wanted to update you all on this situation.

Firstly, we were as shocked to hear of this alleged behaviour as you were. Many of you have asked about our policy, it is quite simply that we comply with the Equality Act 2010, so that means you can breastfeed on our trains and stations.

When a complaint such as this is received we always carry out a full investigation, including speaking to the employee concerned. We are investigating this now and we are in contact with the original poster and will keep her updated.

Please be assured we are taking this matter very seriously.

Pete

Please can you also investigate the customer complaints handling of this.

Thank you.

There is now a Facebook page called 'asked to breast feed in the toilet! Disgusted'

I still haven't had a reply from my email that i sent about what had happened.

Ha ha wondered how long it would take them to find mnet!

Watching with interest. Seething on OP's behalf!