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The father took his eight-month-old son to the session, which had reportedly been advertised as open to both genders. The baby’s mum said she later received an email requesting he no longer attends. It stated the mothers present felt “uncomfortable breastfeeding” with a man present.

But the decision has angerred the family and others in the industry.

The baby’s mum, who had taken the child to the sessions herself regularly before returning to work recently, ranted on Mumsnet, reports Chronicle Live.

In it, she said she was “absolutely livid” by the email because of the way it reduced her husband to just his genitals.

The shocking email she had received read: “Just to let you know, a few of the mums messaged me after Monday’s session to express discomfort at having a penis in the group environment. They expressed they felt uncomfortable breastfeeding with him in the room and we want the group to always be a safe and inclusive space for breastfeeding mummies.

“I am a small business so think it’s best that he doesn’t attend again. Sorry for the inconvenience, I’ll refund any sessions you have pre-paid.”

The mum of one wrote on Mumsnet: “I attended a baby music group with my son since he was two months old, and he really enjoys it (as much as a little baby enjoys anything!).

“Nowhere in the literature of the group does it refer to mums, everything is ‘baby and parent’ so I assumed my husband attending the group instead of me would be fine.

“I told the group leader three weeks ago that my husband would be bringing our son from now on and she was totally fine about it.”

But she later returned to the post to offer an update after speaking to the group leader.

She added: “Her [the group leader’s] original outrage at my husband’s presence had nothing to do with breastfeeding! She was annoyed because they all go for coffee after and she felt awkward not inviting my husband but didn’t want him there.

“I got an email from the group leader saying she had been told the complaint wasn’t genuine and doesn’t represent the feelings of the majority of the group.

“My husband will be going back.”

Nevertheless, Rhiannon Soulsby, who runs weekly musical baby group Hello World across various locations in Tyne and Wear, described the situation as “disgraceful”.

“Whilst baby groups are typically 95% female, I actively encourage dads to sign up and take part in Hello World classes,” she said.

“Single dads, stay-at-home dads and gay dads exist and have just as much right to be there as any mum does.

“Babies won’t remember these early classes, but parents will make lifelong memories and special moments there – and dads should not have to be excluded from that experience.

“I’ve always been careful with the terminology I use when advertising or promoting my business, and I try to make it clear that we welcome everyone, whatever their sex or gender.

“I also think that it isn’t fair that a baby will have to miss out on something he enjoys and which is beneficial to his development, just because it’s his dad taking him and not his mum.

“Even though in this situation, it turned out to be a false complaint, the damage has been done and my heart breaks for the father, who was just trying to do something for his baby.”

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