SUNRISE, Fla. – A South Florida mother told Local 10 News that she is pleased to know that IKEA is willing to work with mothers on their breastfeeding policies after what appears to have been a misunderstanding this week at the company's Sunrise location.
A gathering of breastfeeding mothers had breakfast at the Ikea in Sunrise Thursday morning to discuss the store's open family policy.
"We're very happy to have this conversation with breastfeeding moms, and we're happy to host them today with a free breakfast, so we can have an open dialog and further understand their needs," IKEA spokeswoman Claudia Lascano said.
The event was organized after Amanda McLaughlin spoke about her experience on Tuesday.
McLaughlin said she was shopping with her 5-month-old daughter, Hadassah, when an announcement came over the store's PA system as she was breastfeeding.
"Did you know IKEA has a baby care room located in the lobby on the first floor?" the recording said. "There is a changing table with a comfortable sitting area, a perfect place for that feeding."
A store manager told McLaughlin that the recording plays on a loop, and it was not specifically directed at her.
But it did spark the conversation between mothers and IKEA.
"If they're sending out a feeding message, (then) it (should) be done correctly," McLaughlin said. "If they don't want to send one out, that's fine. Since they are sending one out, that basically it be done correctly, that it be all-inclusive for all mothers."
IKEA representatives said they welcome breastfeeding mothers in their stores, but also provide a family room for those who wish to feed in private.
"My biggest concern is just for women to be able to sit comfortably and breastfeed in a place like this, because it's so friendly to families, and it caters a lot to our families," another mother, Adina Pelicci, said.
A lot of the mothers were also unhappy with the way the family rooms were set up, saying it's essentially a bathroom and not a breastfeeding room.
Store employees said they will work to move things around and accommodate the mothers' needs.