“It’s so embarrassing that I can’t feed my baby.”
A breastfeeding mother was told to cover up or leave a public swimming pool in Texas.
Misty Daugereaux took her two sons and nephew to a the Nessler Park Family Aquatic Center in Texas City when she was told she had to cover up while feeding her 10-month-old.
The Independent reports that the mother didn’t know what she had done wrong.
“I’m not being disrespectful, I don’t want to cause a scene,” Ms Daugereaux said. “When you have a 10-month-old that doesn’t take a bottle you are going to feed him.”
Pool staff claimed that Daugereaux had both breasts exposed while she was feeding her son and that that was against their policy.
They also said that she used inappropriate language while dealing with staff, a claim that the mother-of-two denies.
“I’m not going to cuss somebody out,” she said on police bodycam footage. “I’m just going to stand up for what I believe in.”
“I don’t understand how it’s right (…) It’s so embarrassing that I can’t feed my baby.”
Under Texas law, a woman is permitted to breastfeed her child in any public space. City authorities have since issued an apology to Daugereaux.
We, the City of Texas City are reviewing the nursing concerns raised at the Nessler Pool and how it was addressed by our staff,” they said.
“We apologise to Misty Daugereaux as it is clear she was offended by how she was treated at our city facility. City policies and procedures will be reviewed and revised as deemed necessary. Any deficiencies regarding our employee’s actions will be addressed with further training.”
