One woman's frustration with being asked to use a breast pump in a bathroom became a viral Facebook post Friday.
Today.com reported that Lynda Mazzalai Nguyen was at an Embassy Suites hotel in San Francisco for a conference and asked someone at the front desk if there was a private place for her to pump. She was not at all happy with the response.
"At a seminar at a hotel, went to front desk to ask if there's a private space where I can pump, and was told by two different staff to use the bathroom … I told them they don't eat lunch in the bathroom, so it's gross to expect me to contaminate baby's milk in there," Nguyen wrote in a Facebook post.
According to Nguyen, she was "met with so much resistance" by the hotel staff.
Nguyen said she was told she could not use any hotel rooms because she did not pay for the room, although she did say she paid the hotel in the form a fee to attend a seminar. She said she was then told there were no available rooms, but Nguyen claims she saw open rooms on Expedia.
Nguyen continued to list other suggestions that were met with resistance.
"After more push back and a stand off because I refused to budge, she went to ask, came back and offered the wine cellar … Based on principle, I decided to pump in the lobby next to reception," Nguyen said, adding that she spoke to the general manager of the hotel, who she said "apologized profusely."
"We are very disappointed to hear about this situation and we are sorry for the lack of sensitivity shown to this guest," Embassy Suites said in a statement to Today.com. "Sensitivity communication will be reinforced to all of our hotels with the intent to prevent this from happening to anyone else. Celebrating mothers and families is a part of our DNA at Embassy Suites by Hilton and it's our goal for that to come across to all of our guests every day."
Nguyen said she was met with love and support in an update to the post and added that the general manager of the hotel said there is a policy in place for guests who want to pump.
