V&A Museum Forced To Apologise After Breastfeeding Mother Told To 'Cover Up'

'All these naked breasts are putting people off their food.'
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London’s Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum has been forced to apologise after a woman was told to “cover-up” while breastfeeding her child.

In a post on Twitter, the woman said she was “perplexed” over the incident, which took place during National Breastfeeding Week.

Her tweet has been retweeted more than 4,000 times and liked more than 8,000 times.

Flashed a nanosecond of nipple while #breastfeeding and was asked to cover up in @V_and_A courtyard. Am perplexed.... pic.twitter.com/T6VIRQbgrC

— Vaguechera (@vaguechera) August 5, 2017

Pointing out the irony of the request at a museum which has many topless statues, the mother, tweeting as @vaguechera, posted a series of comical images.

'I will throw you out of this museum with your naked breasts!' 'But I'm made of marble!' 'Oh sorry you're fine then' @V_and_A pic.twitter.com/HL0py3vJ7I

— Vaguechera (@vaguechera) August 5, 2017

'Excuse me madam, would you mind covering your breasts with this mask while you feed?' pic.twitter.com/yvRrcpbc3c

— Vaguechera (@vaguechera) August 5, 2017

'All these naked breasts are putting people off their food' #vandaboob pic.twitter.com/jlo9CsIaDJ

— Vaguechera (@vaguechera) August 5, 2017

On the upside, I had a lovely day at @v_and_a exploring depictions of breasts thru the ages and making lovely mammaries. I mean memories. pic.twitter.com/mMiL27WQZ8

— Vaguechera (@vaguechera) August 5, 2017

Former Labour MP and museum director Tristram Hunt apologised for the incident on social media.

He said: “Our policy is clear: women may breastfeed wherever they like, wherever they feel comfortable.”

.@vaguechera V sorry. Our policy is clear: women may breastfeed wherever they like, wherever they feel comfortable & shld not be disturbed.

— Tristram Hunt (@TristramHuntVA) August 5, 2017

A spokesperson for the museum also responded on social media to the complaints, apologising for the incident.

The statement said: “Staff receive regular customer service training to provide the best care for our visitors. We’ll remind staff of our breastfeeding policy.”

The museum added: “We are investigating what happened but women are welcome to breastfeed in the museum & we have quiet spaces for those who prefer privacy.”

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