Community Corner

Mall Rep: 'We Don't Restrict or Limit Breastfeeding'

A marketing director for Westfield Shopping Centers responds to a Shelton mom's proposed "nurse-in"

A representative for Westfield Shopping Centers responded to a local mother's plans to hold a "nurse-in" next week in support of womens' breastfeeding rights.

Lisa Herrmann, Westfield's Regional Marketing Director for the Northeast, said the corporation's malls abide by "mom-friendly" policies.

But in light of a at the Trumbull Mall, Shelton's Danielle Ann Michaud-Elwood would likely disagree.

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Elwood's friend was breastfeeding her three-week-old son in the mall's food court when a security guard approached her and asked her to cover up. According to Elwood, the friend quietly got up and left the building.

Elwood, however, is not brushing off the incident as easily. She took to Facebook to organize a "Trumbull Mall Nurse-In" event, where moms are invited to gather in the food court at 12:30 p.m. this coming Tuesday and feed their infants.

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Patch spoke with Herrmann Wednesday afternoon. The following is a Q&A transcript of the phone conversation:

Patch: Thanks for getting back to us. We have yet to hear from the Trumbull Mall in regards to the situation, and we want to give Westfield Shopping Centers a chance to weigh in.

Lisa Herrmann: Sure. I guess I'll read you Westfield's take on it. We don’t restrict or limit the right of a mother to breastfeed her child. In fact, Westfield Centers are extremely mom-friendly. We provide a range of amenities and conveniences designed to enhance the shopping experience for moms and families. We have a family lounge at our centers, children’s play towns, preferred upfront parking spaces for expectant moms and families with small children. We also implement “Family Fun Days” twice a month at the mall, so we really encourage moms to come out. We love moms. They’re a great shopper, they’re a great customer, and like I said: we don’t restrict or limit the right of a mother to breastfeed her child.

P: We don't know the name of the security guard who asked this woman to cover up, but do you think he handled it properly or should he have just let her be?

LH: He did not restrict or limit her right to breastfeed – he did not do that. That's Westfield's policy. We don't do that.

P: Elwood’s major qualm seems to be that women should not have to cover up while breastfeeding. What are your thoughts about that as an employee for Westfield and as a woman?

LH: I’m not going to go there. I’m just letting you know what our policy is. We make our centers more convenient for moms and for families to shop and enjoy and stay and play. That’s all I can really say about the situation. I don’t know what anyone else’s take is on it.

P: Thoughts on proposed nurse-in? Do you think it will make some sort of political statement, or will it be business as usual?

LH: We certainly invite all moms to come to our malls all the time to experience our family amenities and we hope they do when they’re there.


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