DOVER, NH – A New Hampshire mom is speaking out for her right to breastfeed in public after a Walmart employee refused to develop photos of her doing just that, citing company policy.
For some, breast-feeding in public in is an extremely sensitive subject. She posed in photos for the Big Latch On, a public breast-feeding event held in Dover. It’s all part of national breast-feeding awareness week.
But when the photographer went to the Somersworth Walmart to get those photos developed, an employee took them from her.
Iris’s reaction?
“They were special pictures that I had taken by a great photographer to celebrate my journey through breast-feeding.” said mother Iris Litteiro.
Photographer Jennifer Luna had developed pictures them many times before, never expecting the employee’s reactions.
“He told me repeatedly it doesn’t matter the reasoning. It’s against company policy.” said photographer Jennifer Luna.
Litteiro says it wasn’t just for the events and for breast-feeding week, it was personal. They were pictures to show her daughter when she grew up.
“I honestly am shocked by it. I mean they were photos taken for me and to remember my journey.” said Iris Litteiro.
All Iris wanted to do, is celebrate the end of this chapter in her life, this particular bond with her daughter.
But now she hopes this might open some eyes, in a positive way.
“I just hope that we can become more accepting and open to breast-feeding in public.” said Iris Litteiro.
Another reason to have the photos taken? Litteiro says her goal was to nurse for six weeks. Since she had made it to 14 months, she wanted to celebrate the family’s accomplishment.
Wal-Mart says they have since apologized.
