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Banned from breastfeeding at hotel

  1. #1
    Newbie_hk is offline Registered User
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    Banned from breastfeeding at hotel

    A hotel just banned me from breastfeeding at their place.

    I just got the shock of my life when I went to hotel in Causeway Bay this morning to have morning tea with visiting friends. I arrived early and asked for a quiet corner at their lobby cafe. There was only one other guest there. My bub was getting hungry so I took out my bebe au lait cape and pacifier/dummy on the table. Just as I was about to scoop up my baby, the waitress came up to me and asked if I was breastfeeding. I said yes and she said "you cannot breastfeed here".

    I was shocked. I asked her why and she asked if I was a guest at their hotel, I said no and I was afraid she might be thinking I was there just to breastfeed. I told her I am here to have morning tea with 3 other friends and that I will be discreet with my cape. She just looked at me and repeated “you cannot breastfeed here”. At this point, I was livid and firmly told her “no, I have the right to feed my baby” and promptly scooped up my baby, planted myself in the chair and asked for the menu.

    Do hotels have the right to ban breastfeeding at their premises? They are considered public places after all aren't they?

    I want to write a complaint to the manager but I need to know where HKG stands in terms of breastfeeding in someone’s premises.


  2. #2
    howardcoombs is offline Registered User
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    Something to read : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breastfeeding_in_public

    Hotels are private premises and they can ban anyone they like for any reason.

    Name & Shame would be one way to get satisfaction.


  3. #3
    Gracey is offline Registered User
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    Never mind the legal technicalities -- name and shame is the way to go.
    Write a complaint letter to the general manager. It might not change their policies but, trust me, these things do get brought up at meetings, etc.
    Write a letter to the SCMP. They do allow you to do so anonymously, if you wish.
    My HK Chinese sister in law breastfeeds in public -- discreetly and with a large shawl over her. I think (I hope) attitudes are changing.


  4. #4
    Gracey is offline Registered User
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    BTW, which hotel?


  5. #5
    ssheng is offline Registered User
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    I'd also like to know which hotel - there was a recent complaint thread posted on Geobaby about a certain bookstore and the response just by posting it on Geobaby was that the store apologized to the woman and educated the employee. I would hope the same would be done in this scenario.

    I am sometimes embarrassed to BF in public, regardless of the fact that I also always use a nursing cover (which quite frankly is annoying and difficult to manage, esp in this recent hot weather), and if something like this happened to me I can't imagine how horrible it would feel. So sorry this happened to you, Newbie, and shame on this establishment. I am proud, however, of your reaction. Good for you!


  6. #6
    Portia is offline Registered User
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    Sounds like things haven't changed too much, but there was a protest by breast-feeding mothers at the Peninsula in 1999 after a woman was asked to feed her baby in the toilets!
    Posted via Mobile Device


  7. #7
    lesliefu is offline Registered User
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gracey View Post
    Never mind the legal technicalities -- name and shame is the way to go.
    Write a complaint letter to the general manager. It might not change their policies but, trust me, these things do get brought up at meetings, etc.
    Write a letter to the SCMP. They do allow you to do so anonymously, if you wish.
    My HK Chinese sister in law breastfeeds in public -- discreetly and with a large shawl over her. I think (I hope) attitudes are changing.
    would write to the SCMP - but it does not take anonymous letters anymore...at least not the letters to the editor. fact is though, i wouldn't hesitate putting my name on such a letter - it's outrageous thing to happen in this day and age - especially if you were doing it discreetly! quite a scary thought really - more people should know this kind of thing happens and boycott this hotel.

  8. #8
    AudreysMom is offline Registered User
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    Please share which hotel so I will never go there! They should be ashamed of themselves! I definitely say write to the SCMP.


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