They are shutting the feeding and changing facilities in my local Mothercare shop, so they can bring in 'new and exciting changes including ELC.'
Basically closing down the ELC shop across the precinct and shoving stock into the area that was so vital for mums & babies.
My DD nearly 5m has severe gastric reflux and many a feed involved her screaming, arching back and latching on and off.
I loved the fact that I could go and BF in a quiet room away from prying eyes in the food court etc. I can honestly say I've never been alone in there either, always another BF mum to chat to so well used. New mums love the privacy whilst getting to grips with BF too.
Mothercare used to be concerned about these things, obviously now it's all about profit per sq foot!
I have tried a few emails to head office, but have had standard non comital replies, basically been fobbed off. I'm not even asking that they keep the toilets and change rooms, just have a quiet area for BF mums like myself, who incedentaly used to spen a fair bit every time I went in.
Spoke to the manager today, room finally shut now, she said they would NOT be providing an area, and all feeding facilities will be phased out of all high st stores, head office aren't bothered by us lowly mums complaining. I politely told her that in principle I would never purchase another item from mothercare as been as their website says the exact opposite of what they are actually doing.
'We are very conscious of the needs of mothers when shopping with babies and toddlers. We provide special rooms in as many stores as possible for mothers to feed their babies in comfort and privacy. Our staff will always offer somewhere for you to breastfeed or bottle feed, whether in the Mummy's Room, an empty fitting room, or elsewhere within a Mothercare store.'
help.mothercare.com/help/stores/breastfeeding