New mother left 'shocked and humiliated' after being told to cover up whilst breastfeeding at Claridge's

Louise Burns with her baby Isadora. Credit: ITV News

A new mother who was ordered to cover up with a napkin whilst breastfeeding her baby whilst enjoying afternoon tea at Claridge's has described her shock and humiliation.

An annual family treat was ruined for Louise Burns, after she was presented with a large starched napkin in order to avoid "causing offence" to other guests at the luxury hotel.

Shocked and humiliated she burst into tears and immediately wanted to leave but her mother, who had been planning the get together for three months, coaxed her into staying. She told ITV News her immediate reaction was to burst into tears.

Under the 2010 Equality Act, treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding is sex discrimination.

It is illegal to ask a breastfeeding woman to leave a public place, and a woman is permitted to feed in all public places as well as in shops, restaurants and hotels. In a statement, Claridges said they "of course" allowed breast feeding, but that they "ask guests to be discreet".

Burns said she was particularly upset as breastfeeding her youngest was an achievement, and something she struggled with when her other two children where young babies.

This afternoon Claridge's said they were "saddened" by the "conversation".