Breastfeeding Mother Interrupted by Restaurant Staff Sparks Outrage and Calls for Change

According to the woman's account, the first disturbance occurred when an employee knocked on the door and asked if anyone was inside, and she responded loudly. Shortly after, a female employee opened the door without knocking and saw the woman breastfeeding, apologizing and closing the door. Then, an older woman, with the help of a male employee, opened the door again, claiming she was looking for her daughter-in-law. The woman felt devastated by the third disturbance and didn't know whether to speak up, put her sleeves back on, or calm her child first.

The woman expressed that she felt caught off guard, frightened, and outraged by the employee's actions. She stated that due to the small size of the nursing room, with only a small baby bed and a stool for the mother to sit on, she was already in a vulnerable position. The fact that the stool was directly facing the door made her feel even more exposed. When the employee opened the door without knocking or warning, she was shocked and felt a sudden surge of fear, especially since she had removed her short sleeve to breastfeed and was not prepared for the interruption.

The woman's emotional state was further exacerbated by the fact that she had trusted the establishment implicitly, which is why she had not taken extra precautions to ensure her privacy. She felt that the employees' actions had stripped her of her dignity and made her feel like she was not in control of her own space. As she noted, "I didn't know whether to stop them, put on my clothes, or calm down my baby first." The ordeal left her shaken, and she is now seeking a public apology from the establishment to acknowledge their wrongdoing and ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.

Haidilao expressed sincere apologies to the customer and has taken steps to rectify the situation. A spokesperson for the company stated that they "highly value" the matter and have apologized to the customer, striving to make amends to the greatest extent possible. The company acknowledged that the customer was disturbed multiple times while breastfeeding in the mother-and-child room, including by a male employee who entered the room without knocking. The incident has sparked widespread concern and criticism online, with many calling for greater respect and protection for breastfeeding mothers in public spaces. Haidilao's apology and commitment to improvement aim to address these concerns and prevent similar incidents in the future. The company announced that it would conduct a thorough inspection of its over 900 stores with mother-baby rooms nationwide, focusing on signposting, door access control, and employee operating standards. Haidilao also promised to continue improving its services to provide a better experience for customers.

The incident highlights the importance of respecting customers' privacy, particularly in sensitive situations like breastfeeding. Haidilao's response demonstrates a willingness to take responsibility and make improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future. As a widely recognized brand, Haidilao's actions will be closely watched by the public and the media, serving as an example for other companies to prioritize customer privacy and services. The victim, although initially offered a free meal and a 500 yuan gift card, eventually received a compensation of 3,000 yuan and three Haidilao meal vouchers, emphasizing her trust in Haidilao's services, which led to her lack of awareness about the potential risks of using the mother-baby room. The woman's experience serves as a reminder of the need for greater awareness and respect for breastfeeding mothers in public spaces.