Breastfeeding mom: Restaurant employee took photos
SAN ANTONIO — A woman has filed a police report after she said she discovered an employee was taking a photo of her breastfeeding at a local restaurant.
Jamie Gustafson said restaurant managers responded quickly after the incident during a recent visit, but she said it's still an unfortunate experience she will never forget.
Gustafson said she's never had a problem nursing her 2-month-old baby boy, especially in public. However, she said that all changed Thursday at the Jason's Deli, when she claims she caught an employee snapping photos of her as she breastfed.
"I was stunned. I didn't know what to say. I was speechless. I got hot, my face was hot. I got sweaty, I was so mad, but I didn't know how to confront him," Gustafson said. "I mean, what am I going to say? 'Give me your phone?' I wanted to take his phone and smash it."
Gustafson's sister confronted the employee and told management.
In a statement, the company said it is "deeply troubled by this employee's conduct."
"We cherish families and value the many wives and mothers who work here, and the wives and mothers who are our guests dining here," the statement said. "Their right to breastfeed their babies is something we support and believe in."
Katherine Velasquez is with La Leche League, a nonprofit that promotes breastfeeding as healthy for newborns and natural for moms. She said she's heard of moms being criticized for breastfeeding in public, but nothing like what Gustafson experienced.
"I'm surprised that somebody would take a picture of a woman breastfeeding," Velasquez said. "I couldn't imagine why someone would do that."
Gustafson said she plans to continue breastfeeding in public, but she might not be as comfortable next time.
"I'm nervous about it. I'll probably bring a blanket, or a cover and take a little more heed in it, but I'm not going to take my kid to the bathroom to eat," Gustafson said.
Gustafson said she's not upset with the restaurant, but the owners said the employee was fired.