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).

[GrimmaTheNome]

Brave man, Pete

Anyone feel a haiku or limerick coming on yet?

[ShowOfHands]

If you want a lesson in how to do it, I can tell you which train I travelled on recently. I am still breastfeeding my 21 month old son and did so on a train to London. I was approached by the conductor and I did fear I was about to be asked to move/stop. Nope. He said I could sit in first class for free if I wanted as there was more space to feed comfortably and would I like a free cup of tea and a glass of water. Maybe a biscuit. Now THAT is how you do it.

[Blatherskite]

Now that's the way to do it!

[GrimmaTheNome]

That's more like it, SOH! Which company? Plaudits where they're due.

[gintastic]

Can confirm that Virgin/Cross Countrt brought me free tea/biscuits when breastfeeding on their train. Not once, but twice on different journeys on the Oxford-York service. Outrageous behaviour from Northern Rail.

[domesticslattern]

I've bf babies on First Great Western, London Overground, First Capital Connect, Virgin... would love to know what is special about Northern rail. In particular, do their customers all prefer the sound of a baby yelling to the sight of a baby feeding? Or do none of them ever need the loo on the train? Nope, didn't think so. Having one rooky conducter is one thing but then sticking up for him by saying it's personal preference, then taking an age to respond.... what a shower of idiots.'

[Jojobump1986]

I want free tea & biscuits! Must start traveling by train more. I never go up north so don't need to worry about reserving a cubicle!

[HappyJustToBe]

I am appalled that this conductor thinks he has any right to ask you to breastfeed in the toilet. He really should keep his personal issues out of the workplace rather than intimidating customers.

[Channicholls]

Well I've never been offered tea n biscuits lol which I wouldn't expect but to be treated with a bit of respect rather than like I'm doing something wrong I don't think is too much to ask :/

[PicnicPie]

Just seen this thread op and wanted to my support. What a horribke ordeal for you. Appalling behaviour. I hope that through MN, Twitter and other media feeds we are able to shame Northern Rail into publicly apologising to you as well as introducing better policies and training to their staff in relation to equality and breastfeeding in public.

Keep us posted.

[ShowOfHands]

It was First Capital Connect.

[HomeHelpMeGawd]

Am pleased we have managed to support the OP in creating enough noise to prod some action out of Northern Rail.

Pete - if you're reading this, I suggest you look for an opportunity to do some ju jitsu and do some very visible positive stuff on breastfeeding, like inviting la leche to help you make some improvements.

[psychologymum]

There should be a law that you can't discriminate against breastfeeding mums.

[notanyanymore]

Please kick up a big massive stink about that!!! What an appalling reaction from the company! I think you need to pursue it, ask to speak to someone higher, and higher again if necessary and if all else fails get the CEO's email (Google it) and email them direct (honestly, it works!) I'm bf-ing my 4 month old at tho mo and am disgusted by the way you've been treated' seething

[notanyanymore]

I might have to contact them to enquire if as I am bf-ing at the mo it means I can't travel on their services incase their conductor doesn't like it, or do I need to check with the conductor first...?

[LadyMacbethIsBored]

I just read the edited highlights of this thread to my DH and he came up with what I think is a really good suggestion.

A couple of years ago, amateur photographers were having cameras taken and photos deleted by the police who were telling them they weren't allowed to take pictures anywhere due to terrorism threats etc... In response, Amateur Photographer Magazine produced a card that stated their rights so it could easily carried around and used to show the police that they were not following correct procedure. You can view it here

How about Mumsnet does something similar stating the most important points from the Equalities Act?

What do you all think?

[notanyanymore]

And send one to northern line!

[peekyboo]

What was the specific area where it happened? Just so we're forewarned!

[ToomuchIsBackOnBootcamp]

So one post from Peter and nothing further? Will be interested in an update.

pete we won't let this die, don't think you can fob us and OP off either. We are watching you

[ToomuchIsBackOnBootcamp]

And I've just joined your group on fb, OP, and shared on my feed. Good luck. Northern Rail, you got some work to do.

[Vasilisa96]

Maybe MN Towers can help, as another lady suggested earlier on in the posts?? I RT'ed your Aunt on twitter, and # ed northern rail .... They should feel the heat, really!! How can they bloody say it was up to a person's preference??! Absolutely mind-numbingly stupid people. They should be accountable for their staff and send the bloke on human rights' training asap though I doubt it will do him much good.

[Wowserz129]

I really don't think it should take this long to get a response. It can't take that long to speak to the employee and speak to customer service. Northern Rail need to speak to the customer service rep who said it was conductor preference. Both employees equally as stupid as each other.

[Channicholls]

still no response to my email (not even a curtisy email saying they are still investigating). so we have emailed all local papers and a couple of national ones. just hope someone picks up the story now.

[Channicholls]

and it was doncatser to sheffield train at miday on 25th.