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Tuesday March 27, 2007

Have special room for mums to breast-feed

I REFER to Unhappy Mommy’s letter “Why the ‘no dads’ ruling in Baby Room?” (The Star, March 21).

About a year ago, The Curve management decided to set up a Baby Room, which was good news for all.

It was well set-up and decorated and all amenities were provided.

Panic buttons were provided in the breastfeeding cubicles and there was even a security station outside to ensure that breast-feeding mothers were not in any trouble.

My wife and I had nothing to complain about although we did note that the partitions for the breastfeeding cubicles were too low to allow for any privacy.

As expected, about six months after it opened, I was stopped from entering the Baby Room by a security guard.

I noticed a tiny sticker on the front door which stated that men are not allowed into the room.

Naturally I protested because it takes two of us to change our 17-month-old.

In the end, the guard accompanied us inside but made it very clear that I was not to peek inside the cubicles.

I have conveyed my dissatisfaction to the guards many times and most of the time they were sympathetic but said it was a directive from the management.

I have also written to the management via its website but received no reply.

It is obvious that the only reason men are barred from the Baby Room is to ensure the privacy and safety of breast-feeding mothers, but surely there must be a better solution for the benefit of all parties.

Why can’t The Curve set up another dedicated room for breast-feeding? Why can’t the management increase the partition height of the cubicles?

Let’s move on with the times. Chauvinistic attitudes must go.

KHONG YAO LUNG,
Petaling Jaya.

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