A South Dakota mom said she was told to “cover up” while breastfeeding her infant at a public pool April 19.
Amy Metzger was enjoying a leisurely swim with her family at the Midco Aquatic Center in Sioux Falls when her 5-month-old baby started to get hungry. So, like any mom, Metzger got out of the pool to feed the infant, but she wasn’t prepared for what happened next.
“While swimming today with my 5 children, I was harassed by 2 lifeguards about nursing my 5 month old baby!” she wrote in a review on the aquatic center’s Facebook page. “They told me I needed to cover up with a towel. It’s actually very warm in there and I cannot do that to my baby.”
According to South Dakota law, Metzger has every right to breastfeed the newborn in public. In 2015, state legislatures passed a law to protect moms who choose to breastfeed in public or private as well as exclude them from public indecency laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
“The law states that I may in fact nurse my baby anywhere I am legally allowed to be! I’m very disappointed and upset that the lifeguards are not properly trained in this area,” Metzger’s post continued. “I am going to do everything I can to make sure no other moms will be harassed for nourishing their children at your pool. Very disappointed.”
Her review started an online uproar among other aquatic center patrons.
“Shame on you Midco for not educating your employees. I am even more embarrassed that this is a CITY establishment that this happened at,” wrote Ashley Ann. “This women’s rights were violated. Public shaming of breastfeeding needs to stop!”
“Not ok. That’s good to know, I won’t be bringing my business to an establishment that shames parenting (because that’s what breastfeeding is–parenting),” commented Missie Schmidt.
The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota also chimed in on the controversy.
“If you’re a woman and you’re breastfeeding and you’re in a public place or in a private place where you have the right to be, and someone asks to you leave or to cover up, they are in the wrong,” ACLU of South Dakota Policy Director Libby Skarin told Sioux Falls ABC affiliate KSFY.
What do you think of how the lifeguards handled this situation? How would you feel if you were this mom? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.