After incident, Century 21 aims to better support breastfeeding mothers

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Tuesday, October 27 that Century 21 Department Stores have promised to protect the rights of nursing mothers seeking to breastfeed at its stores citywide.

The announcement comes on the heels of an investigation into the company that began after a complaint went public alleging that, in July, 2015, an employee at the Cortlandt Street store told a mother breastfeeding her child on the sales floor that she must go into the fitting room. Furthermore, the mother alleged that she filed a complaint through Century 21’s website but never heard from the company.

“Time and again, research has shown that the benefits of breastfeeding to mother and child are innumerable, and mothers who choose to nurse their babies must have their rights protected,” Schneiderman said, applauding Century 21 for taking the steps to ensure that the rights of nursing mothers are fully protected across the board.  “Nursing mothers have the right to breastfeed their babies in public without interference or harassment.”

Under New York State law, a mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, so long as she otherwise has the right to be there, regardless of whether she is covered while nursing.