Breastfeeding CEO barred from Amazon event: What happened in Fife

Amazon's policy preventing children under six from entering fulfilment centres left a breastfeeding CEO in tears after she was barred from bringing her baby to a business course.

In an era where workplace inclusivity is increasingly prioritized, a recent incident at an Amazon business course in Fife has sparked a heated debate. Rachael Bews co-founder and CEO of Nu Coton found herself in an unexpected predicament when she was informed that her breastfed baby could not accompany her to the event.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by working parents particularly those who are breastfeeding, and has prompted a wider discussion about the accessibility of professional development opportunities for caregivers.

An unexpected hurdle

Ms. Bews had informed Amazon in advance about her need to breastfeed her five-month-old daughter during the day.

She had planned for her husband to care for their daughter elsewhere on the Amazon campus while she attended the workshops, leaving to feed her baby when needed. However, while already en route to the Dunfermline campus she received a call informing her that the company could not accommodate her circumstances due to health and safety regulations.

The policy at issue prohibits children under the age of six from entering any of Amazon’s fulfilment centres. While the company offers paid lactation breaksflexible scheduling and dedicated lactation rooms for expressing milk, these provisions do not extend to bringing infants on site for direct breastfeeding.

The emotional impact

Ms. Bews expressed her frustration and disappointment on LinkedIn stating that she had already spent nearly £80 on train tickets and made extensive arrangements for childcare and pet sitting. She wrote, “I burst into hot, sweaty tears. We’ve travelled the length of the country, and now I can’t participate. Is this really where we are in 2026?”

Her post resonated with many, highlighting the practical difficulties faced by breastfeeding parents who wish to participate in professional development opportunities. Ms. Bews emphasized that opportunities like these should not become inaccessible simply because someone is feeding their baby.

A call for change

In response to the incident, Amazon issued an apology, acknowledging that their site access policy was not communicated clearly before Ms. Bews travelled to the event. The company stated that they are reviewing their communications process to prevent similar situations in the future and have invited Ms. Bews to join them at a future event.

Ms. Bews’s experience has sparked a broader conversation about the need for more inclusive policies that support breastfeeding parents and those with care responsibilities. She hopes that her story will encourage more organizations to think about how leadership programs and accelerators can be made accessible to all.

The incident serves as a reminder that while progress has been made in supporting working parents, there is still much work to be done to ensure that professional development opportunities are truly inclusive and accessible.