A BLACKBURN mum said she believes there is still a stigma associated with breastfeeding after being asked to move into a hospital side room to feed her baby.

Darcie Pennington, of Cornelian Street, said she will do everything she can to promote breastfeeding after being asked by nurses at the Royal Liverpool Hospital to move into a private room.

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The 18-year-old said she was embarrassed and upset at the nurse’s request during a recent trip to visit her sick grandmother with her three-month-old son, Vincent.

Hospital bosses said they were sorry for any distress caused to Miss Pennington but they ‘fully support breastfeeding’ and try where possible to offer private spaces to mothers.

Miss Pennington said: “My nan has had cancer and I was visiting her when I started to feed my baby boy.

“Then I was approached by two nurses, who asked that I move into a private room.

“I was just feeding my child.

“There might be lots of women out there who could have their confidence knocked by that sort of thing and so I wanted to get the message out there that breastfeeding is natural.

“I’m very passionate about breastfeeding and want to stop the negative stigma surrounding it. They made me feel like I wasn’t doing the right thing.”

However, deputy chief nurse at the hospital Colin Hont said that breastfeeding is not something they would disapprove of and apologised for any distress caused.

He said: “We are aware of a complaint made by Miss Pennington and we are currently looking into the matter.

“We fully support breastfeeding and visitors to our hospitals are welcome to breast- feed where they choose to and feel most comfortable.

“We also offer private spaces for mothers who wish for privacy when breastfeeding.

“We apologise for any distress that has been caused.”