Breastfeeding mum abused by 'disgusted' shopper

A US mum says she's overwhelmed by the support she's received after she was harassed in a department store while breastfeeding.

Jessie Maher was left "shaking" after a shopper went "crazy" earlier this week in a Target store in Torrington, Connecticut, while she fed her baby daughter.

The man was so "disgusted" by the sight of Ms Maher's naked breast that he demanded a refund for his goods, even as staff and other patron's leapt to the vulnerable mum's aid.

"The amount of people coming at me to defend me was amazing," Ms Maher, who recorded the incident, told WSFB. "Everyone that was right in that area was there for me defending me, so it felt really good."

While the abusive fellow, who left the vicinity promptly after the exchange, has since been widely derided online, Ms Maher says she'd rather focus on the positive aspects of the experience rather than get caught up in the hate.

"I would like to ask that you all hold back from discussing the identity of the man in question," Ms Maher wrote on Facebook last night.

"Please keep your thoughts regarding this to yourself, please. He knows who he is, and this going viral is enough."