Key facts
- Amazon barred Rachael Bews, co-founder of Nu Coton, from a business course because she planned to bring her breastfed baby.
- Bews was informed of the site access policy while traveling to the event.
- Amazon cited health and safety regulations prohibiting children under six from its fulfillment center sites.
- The company has apologized for the unclear communication of its policy and invited Bews to a future event.
- Bews stated that opportunities should be inclusive for breastfeeding parents.
Amazon has issued an apology after Rachael Bews, co-founder of Nu Coton, was informed she could not bring her breastfed baby to a business course held at one of its fulfillment centers. Bews had informed the company in advance that she would need to breastfeed her five-month-old daughter during the day.
While traveling to the event in Dunfermline, Bews received a call from Amazon stating that children under the age of six are not permitted on fulfillment center sites due to health and safety regulations. Bews expressed her disappointment and frustration, feeling that such opportunities should be inclusive for breastfeeding mothers and that she was not expecting to bring her baby into the fulfillment center itself, but rather have her husband care for her nearby.
Amazon acknowledged the poor communication of their site access policy, stating that it should not have happened and that they understand Bews' frustration. The company confirmed that while they offer paid breastfeeding breaks and lactation rooms for employees, they cannot allow infants on site. Amazon has invited Bews to a future event and is reviewing its communication processes to prevent similar occurrences.