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A mother has claimed she was told to cover up while breastfeeding in a bar which she had been a patron of for many years - and even had her wedding reception in.

Jem Henderson said she was contacted on Facebook by staff of the Blues Bar in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and asked if she would cover up while feeding her three-month-old baby boy on the premises.

Writing on a blog, the 30-year-old said she had been going to the bar for the past 12 years but was left stunned when she allaegedly received private messages from the owner of the bar.

Ms Henderson said: "She told me that she’d received a call from someone who had complained about me breastfeeding in there and that I should cover up.

"I explained that I struggled with keeping a good latch and that feeding under cover simply wouldn’t work for me.

"She told me that it wasn’t up for discussion."

On the blog, Ms Henderson posted screengrabs of what she claimed was a conversation between the two via Facebook Messenger.

In the messages Sharon Colgan appears to say to the mother: "Jem, I have been meaning to chat with you. Was going to wait until tomorrow but this evening had a call to ask us to have a quiet word.

Read more:Baby 'detects' mum's cancer by only feeding from one breast

"I am asking you politely to have some discretion whilst feeding. I have myself breastfed my four children so I know how important this is for your child.

(Image: Google)

"We have no problem with you feeding but we are asking you politely to cover your breasts while feeding."

In the screengrabs, Ms Henderson writes back: "It is actually illegal for you to ask me that. I struggle with breastfeeding enough and getting a good latch.

"I don't need the added trouble of doing it under a cover. Sorry."

Writing later on her blog, Ms Henderson said: "Despite the fact that I didn’t have to, I agreed to cover up using a scarf.

"I asked for details of who had complained but none were forthcoming, so I tried to find out myself.

"The next day, I received another message telling me that I wasn’t to ask people about their feelings on the matter.

"That I was upsetting people and needed to stop or I wouldn’t be allowed in the venue again."

Ms Henderson claimed she again got into a conversation with the bar owners via Facebook, with Mrs Colgan allegedly saying: "You should be mature enough to know that not everyone in life is comfortable with how you perceive things.

"If we hear there are any more issues regarding this we will ask you not to come in. I privately messaged you asking you to have discretion I didn't ask you to stop didn't ask you to cover up but as usual you're blowing this all out of proportion.

"I will not have this as a school playground. This is a bar, an adult environment. I don't want any response to this only for you to take on board what we have said."

Ms Henderson posted further screengarbs of apparent conversations between her and the owners of the bar, with one where she says she was "in tears" over the incident.

Read more:Devastated mum 'heard baby's last breath as she died during breastfeeding'

Writing later on her blog, she said: "I refuse to be bullied. I’m standing up for my right to feed however I want. I’m standing up for my child’s right not to go hungry when he chews his hands and cries.

"I’m standing up for all the women who are too afraid to feed their babies in public for fear that some judgemental weirdo with attitudes more suited to Saudi Arabia might be offended by the sight of a nipple.

"Breastfeeding is normal. No matter if publicans and BBC DJs seem to think breasts are rudey bits which should only be seen in porn and until recently, newspapers, it doesn’t change the fact that breasts’ purpose is for feeding infants."

Mirror Online has contacted the bar for comment.

Simon Colgan, fellow owner of the Blues Bar told MailOnline: "We have many, many breastfeeding customers who come on a regular basis and feel very comfortable in an environment I create for everybody.

"And we have never had any problem with them in the past."