BREASTFEEDING is normal.

That was the message from more than 50 mothers who gathered at Oxford’s Debenhams store on Saturday for a celebration of breastfeeding.

And they hope the public show of support will ensure mums can feed children at venues across the city without inhibition.

The event was organised after mum-of-two Emily John was stopped from breastfeeding her four-week-old baby Jacob in the store.

Mrs John, 25, from Oxford, originally organised a breastfeeding ‘sit-in’ but after Debenhams apologised it was decided the event would be a celebration instead.

Mums and their babies gathered at the shop in Magdalen Street and enjoyed cake and drinks on the house – while their babies enjoyed meals as nature intended.

Mrs John said: “I was shocked and couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing when it happened because I thought everyone knew these days that you can breastfeed everywhere.

“It takes confidence to feed a baby in public and women need as much support as possible – I hope the message has got out there.

“I think there really is a breastfeeding community now.”

Among the supporters at the event was Meg Zeyfert, 29, from Upper Heyford.

She breastfeeds three-week-old Winifred and has a two year old son, Otto, who was also breastfed.

She said: “I think it’s really important that women aren’t intimidated by the idea of feeding their baby out and about.

“At the end of the day, babies are people and they are entitled to eat where and when they feel hungry.”

Liz Hoffman, 37, from Witney, brought her 23-month-old daughter Poppy, who is still breastfeeding.

She said: “It’s a shame it had to come to this but ultimately it’s been beneficial to raise the profile of breastfeeding.”

Katherine Semlyen, 37, from East Oxford, breastfed 23-month-old Jess.

She said: “It’s not about whether other people feel comfortable, if they don’t like it they can look away.

“If this had happened to someone who wasn’t as strong as Emily, it could have been really damaging.”

Debenhams duty manager Sarah Booth said: “We hold our hands up that it shouldn’t have happened, it was an isolated incident.

“We hope more mums will feel comfortable feeding here now. They say breast is best after all.”

But not everyone in store was supportive.

David Barnard, 88, from Kidlington, said: “I would prefer that they didn’t breastfeed in public, but if they do it, they do it. I’m old and used to old-fashioned customs – you would never have seen that when I was younger.”

And one man, who refused to give his name, said: “There are two rooms outside if they want to feed their children.

“It’s a fuss over nothing.”

Women breastfeeding in public are protected by the Sexual Discrimination Act.

More than 2,500 people voted in our online poll on whether breastfeeding should be allowed in shops. While 51 per cent, 1,295, said yes, a further 35 per cent, 887 people, said yes but only discreetly. Just 15 per cent, or 375 people, said no.