The Christchurch woman, who does not want to be named, says she faced discrimination from Simply Beauty yesterday.
She was inside the business for 10 minutes waiting for her mother to get her eyebrows done. It wasn't until another customer sat down that an employee of the Hornby salon approached the mum and said, "You've got a cute little boy" after she lifted up the pram's curtain to have a look.
But then the employee asked the mum to leave and told her the "pram is not a good look for this shop", the mum told the Herald.
"She said, 'I'm going to have to get you to leave, we don't allow babies in the salon'."
"I thought she was joking. It was so rude.
"It's not like my baby was crying or anything. If he was making a noise I'm the first person to get up and leave the place."
The mum had spent hours walking around the mall and was reluctant to go and stand outside. When she expressed her views the staff member offered to take her baby for a walk.
"I don't know this lady. Why would I let a stranger take my 4-month-old baby for a walk?
"It was a very bizarre experience for a place that should want to have any woman in there, they're the people that buy the service."
The mum was so angry she posted a complaint to the Simply Beauty Facebook page and said it had multiple comments from other mums who had also been told to leave because of their children. Simply Beauty apologised and then deleted the comments.
The policy on its website states: "To keep our salons safe and relaxing, we can't let your little ones under the age of 10 inside the salon. So be sure to take some 'you' time and leave them at home when you're planning a visit."
Simply Beauty owner Pam Ensor said she told the client politely and respectfully that children were not allowed in their salons.
She said the business put the policy in place five years ago for health and safety reasons.
"Our business uses chemicals, hot waxes and equipment to deliver the best quality of services to our clients. We also operate within a relatively confined space, including the delivery of some services within our waiting areas.
"We appreciate that this policy can create challenges for some clients, but we are acting in the interests of all clients, their children and staff and strictly apply the policy."
Ensor said the business had no intention to review the policy.
The whole experience has knocked the young mum's confidence. She said she was now more nervous about taking her baby out as she worried about where she might not be allowed.
"It's quite a daunting experience taking a child out, it takes a good hour to get out the door.
"You get a bit nervous where you can take your baby. You're always going to worry he'll be the one crying but then to be treated like this when he wasn't crying or playing up is just wrong."
A Human Rights Commission spokeswoman said age restrictions on children may indirectly discriminate against people who have family responsibilities. However, it was not unlawful to treat people aged under 16 different on the basis of age.
"For services, there may be a number of considerations, such as health and safety, that would also have to be taken into account.
"Anyone who feels like they may have been discriminated against can contact the commission's inquiry and complaints team."
