Women stage protest at Claridge's over breastfeeding

Around 40 mothers staged a mass "nurse-in" outside Claridge's hotel in London today after a woman was asked to cover up as she breastfed her baby in the restaurant.

The demonstration, organised by Free to Feed, comes in protest after mother-of-three Louise Burns, 35, was told to cover her baby's head with a napkin while she breastfed earlier this month.

Claridge's has said it "embraces" breastfeeding, but requests that women are "discreet towards other guests".

Speaking at the protest today, Free to Feed founder Emily Slough, 28, said: "I am here because someone broke the law by telling a woman to be unnecessarily discreet when she was breastfeeding in public.

"Lou Burns was being discreet when she was feeding her baby. We are here to show Claridge's they are not above the law. But they have said nothing to us, they are pretending we're not here."

Another mother Emma Bullock, 25, said: "Breastfeeding is normal and natural. I might not like it if someone chews with their mouth open, but I won't object.

"The thing is, Lou Burns was being discreet and then they put that huge tent over her to cover her up, which made it very obvious.

"We want Claridge's to issue an apology and change their policy on breastfeeding, but they have done nothing yet."