Amazon Bars Breastfeeding Boss from Business Course
Rachael Bews is the head of a marketing firm.
A breastfeeding business leader was prevented from attending an in-person business course run by Amazon because the company would not allow her infant child on site.
Bews informed Amazon a week prior to the event, which was held at an Amazon warehouse in Dunfermline, Scotland, that she would need to bring her 20-week-old baby with her as she was breastfeeding.
However, she was informed by phone while on the train to the event that children under six years old were prohibited from entering the site.
Amazon issued a statement:
"We sincerely apologise to Ms Bews that our site access policy was not communicated clearly before she travelled."
"That should not have happened, and we understand her frustration. Amazon does not permit children under the age of six on any of our fulfilment centre sites," the retailer added.
"This is a long-standing health and safety policy that applies to all visitors and employees... We are reviewing our communications process to prevent this from happening again."
Bews told the BBC's The World Tonight that a lactation room was available at the event on Friday, which would have allowed her to express milk for her child.
However, she had not planned to use this facility and therefore did not have sterilised bottles or equipment for expressing milk. She also noted that not all breastfed babies will feed from a bottle.
"All events should really have good consideration to accessibility and inclusivity for all sorts of considerations," she said.
"It's a challenging thing becoming a new mum, and being in business is a big part of my identity, so having access to these same opportunities is really important for me and a lot of other working and professional mums out there."
Bews was informed she could continue with the online portion of the six-week course but expressed that she missed out on "the most important things."
"The in-person, face-to-face connections you make over coffee, the people you meet over lunch – there's connections I could have made to maybe help my business," she added.
For those returning to work who wish to continue breastfeeding, the NHS recommends informing your employer about breastfeeding before your first day back.
The NHS states:
"If you're returning to work, education, or training after having a baby, you might wonder whether you can continue breastfeeding your baby.
"The answer is yes, it's completely possible and many women do it."
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