Starbucks responds to breastmilk pumping incident
Lauren Ellis - a mother who pumps breast milk exclusively - said she was asked by the staff of Starbucks in Cavendish, Cape Town to leave the store because she was pumping.
Picture: Pixabay
A few weeks ago Sara-Jayne Makwala King spoke to Lauren Ellis (a mother who pumps breast milk exclusively) who said she was asked by the staff of Starbucks in Cavendish, Cape Town to leave the store because she was pumping.
Read Ellis' story here: 'We have a right to breastfeed or pump in public' - Woman says Starbucks told her to leave because she was pumping
Starbucks has since provided a response to the incident.
Starbucks statement
“We are aware of a recent incident in which a Starbucks guest, while seated alone at one of our tables, was openly pumping breast milk and not breastfeeding. Her baby was not with her at the time. To clarify, at no point was the guest asked to leave the store.
One of our green apron partners (employees) approached the guest and respectfully asked if she wouldn’t mind covering her breasts for more privacy while pumping. We fully support a mother’s right to breastfeed and pump milk respectfully if needed, in our stores and understand the importance of this for many mothers. We would gladly make them comfortable in the store's office too, if they requested a safe and private place to do so. The intent of the partner was solely to offer the guest an option for greater privacy, not to cause any distress or discomfort for her, or any other patrons in the store. The intention was to maintain an inclusive and calm environment for all. Our goal is always to fairly consider everyone, and asking the guest to be a bit more discreet made sense to our partner at the time as a way to accommodate all our loyal customers, many of whom have since also asked for their comfort to be respected. The guest herself commented on how welcoming our other stores have been to her in the past as well.
We pride ourselves on offering a welcoming and inclusive environment and expect everyone, including our green apron partners and customers, to treat one another with dignity and respect.”
Sara-Jayne Makwala King interviewed lactation consultant, Judy Kirkwood who added her voice to the conversation and spoke about the importance of breastfeeding.
Listen below.
Kirkwood says South Africa has a 32% breastfeeding rate.
There are of course circumstances where a mother is unable to breastfeed.
In most cases, the choice not to breastfeed stems from massive ignorance, even among educated people, explains Kirkwood.
Breast milk provides a baby with the best nutrition, supports growth and development and it can help protect babies against some short and long-term illnesses and diseases.
Breastfeeding is also very convenient and affordable.
"I think in South Africa a lot of society has been booby trapped, excuse the pun, by disinformation...I'm quite an activist as well but I'm not a nipple Nazi or an extremist but I think we need to look at the space as an opportunity...if men were breastfeeding, this whole dilemma would be dealt with much differently."
- Judy Kirkwood, lactation consultant
"If more babies in our country breastfed there would be less disease, less burden on our health system, South Africans would be more intelligent and we would be a stronger nation. It's not just about Lauren and Starbucks, it's a much bigger issue."
- Judy Kirkwood, lactation consultant
"Women who are breastfeeding must be supported and encouraged."
- Judy Kirkwood, lactation consultant - Judy Kirkwood, lactation consultant
Scroll up to listen to the full interview.