Breastfeeding ‘offence to humanity’

Breastfeeding mothers will bombard a Sydney café today for a ‘nurse-in’ after a customer was allegedly told she couldn’t breastfeed.

Regan Matthews was at the Satellite Café in Newtown when she was asked by a waiter to stop breastfeeding her 9-month-old son.

When Ms Matthews told the staff that it was illegal to ask her to stop breastfeeding, the owner of the café told Ms Matthews that breastfeeding was ‘offensive’.

Ms Matthews reportedly asked other patrons if they were offended by her breastfeeding and according to Fairfax, they all said they weren’t.

However as the owner walked away, Ms Matthews heard her say: “It's an offence to humanity”.

The café initially apologised, saying they regretted the incident and said they had a lack of awareness about the legal rights of breastfeeding mothers.

Their message, which has since been deleted, said: “It is unfortunate that such a law has not circulated properly through the hospitality industry, and I am disappointed mainstream media has not made constant efforts to educate business owners and employees on this.”

On their Facebook page on Saturday, they posted: “A personal apology has been sent to Regan Matthews. I hope that once she receives it, some amends can begin to be made here. Breast-feeding mothers, children and friends are welcome at Satellite - the stickers will be on the door next week.”

However their admission hasn’t stopped the momentum of the ‘nurse-in’ which is planned to go ahead at lunchtime today.

The protest comes only months after Sunrise host David Koch said live on air that breastfeeding women should be "classy" and "discreet" when breastfeeding in public.

The comments sparked fierce debate and about 50 women and children gathered outside the Channel Seven television studios in Sydney's Martin Place to protest.