A mother claimed that a Barney's employee refused to give her access to a dressing room to breastfeed her daughter. Embarassed by the experience, she filed a complaint asking the company to change its practices.
Andrea O'Dowd, a first-time mother from Scottsdale, told FOX 10 that she was in the upscale department store Barney's New York when she needed to feed her four-month-old daughter, Serena. She said that she stepped into the department store to find a seat and feed her baby. She initially went to the restroom but she could find a seat.
She then asked a sales associate if she could access a dressing room to breastfeed her baby. However, the department store employee refused to grant her request.
"She said ultimately, we can't let you in the dressing room. I asked why that I just need to feed her, and she said it's just loss prevention," O'Dowd said.
O'Dowd said she offered to have her stroller checked beforehand. However, the employee still refused to give her access to the dressing room.
"I was kind of telling her how ridiculous, why can't I go in there, I was choking back my tears," she said. "I felt shamed, shamed that I needed to feed my daughter."
Feeling embarrassed, O'Dowd said that she walked out of the store. She added that she already filed a complaint, hoping that the store will change its policies. "I honestly just wanted justice for this situation, because I couldn't believe it, I'm glad I am speaking up for it," she stated.
In a report of the Daily Mail, Ashley Calandra, a spokesman of the department store, issued a statement in response to O'Dowd's complaints. "Barney's New York is reviewing our lactation policy and training protocol for all locations to ensure that we are adhering to best practice," Calandra said.
ABC News reported that Arizona law permits mothers to breastfeed children in public or private places where they are otherwise allowed to be.
