'Are you embarrassed?': Mother shocked after being asked to breastfeed in cafe toilet

The Water Drop Cafe came under fire for asking a young mum to breastfeed in the toilet. Photo / Facebook

A Christchurch mum was humiliated after cafe staff told her to breastfeed in the toilet.

Gabby Bond was at the Water Drop Cafe when she began breastfeeding her 3-month-old baby Penelope.

However, two staff members then asked her "Are you embarrassed?" before telling her she must breastfeed in the bathroom.

The 27-year-old mother, who has never had a problem breastfeeding in public before, told One News it was a "highly traumatic and embarrassing ordeal".

"I was shocked and stunned. I never thought anything like this would happen to me in this day and age."

Bond and her friends then swiftly left the cafe.

Bond's friend, Sophie Prangnell, complained on the cafe's Facebook page, writing: "I was so excited to try Water Drop Cafe as I loved the look of their menu and appreciate the effort put into making vegetarian food.

"My experience was probably one of my worst cafe experiences however.

"One of our party was breastfeeding her 3 month old daughter and was asked by staff members to 'go to the toilet as it was embarrassing'. I found this so out of line. We cancelled our orders and left so my friend was able to finish feeding her baby.

"I was shocked to see such an archaic view point."

Water Drop Cafe have since apologised, but defended their staff member's actions, writing: "We totally support breastfeeding but because of past experience, we got complaints from the other visitors saying that was inappropriate, so we were not sure what to do."

Water Drop Cafe issued a statement on their Facebook page apologising to Bond and outlining to customers what breastfeeding facilities are available.

Hello everyone. We have been receiving a great deal of feedback in the past week, which we’d like to address with our...

Posted by Water Drop Vegetarian Cafe Christchurch on Thursday, 6 July 2017

Prangnell replied: "Awesome to see a change in your breastfeeding policy and great to hear that all of your staff are on the same page."

Locals have come out in support of the cafe, as well as Bond.

"I am so so pleased to see the receptive feedback. Such an amazing place, I believe this to be a true apology, of such a miscommunication," one person wrote.

"Great to see a resolve being made. Looking forward to heading there again as always," another said.