BABY

Breastfeeding mum 'livid' after being told to move 'near drain' while feeding baby in public swimming pool

Last modified on Wednesday 29 March 2023

The mum from Newcastle says she's 'flabbergasted' that 'this was still happening in the 21st century' after being told to feed at the pool edge

A new mum says she was 'openly discriminated against' after being asked to 'move near a drain' while breastfeeding in the water at a public swimming pool.

Mum Rachel McCarey, 39, who was feeding her young child Annie on her 1st birthday in the water described being told to move as a 'disgusting incident.'

She said she was approached by a staff member who asked her to move to the side of the pool, in case her baby was sick.

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Then, when she returned a few days later, another member of staff told her she could breastfeed in the pool, but would need to be at the edge, near a drain.

The mum of 2, from Newcastle, said she was 'flabbergasted' that 'this was still happening in the 21st century.'

She said: 'I feel so livid for all breastfeeding mams. I feel so frustrated that this is still happening.'

'Safety risk'

An investigation has now been launched into the incident at Haven Point Leisure Centre, by South Tyneside Council which runs the venue.

However, Rachel said she'd been told that, while the investigation is ongoing, she must move to the side of the pool or use a cubicle while breastfeeding.

The local council said the incidents were a matter of 'safety risk to pool users' and that they have 'no issue' with mums breastfeeding.

Rachel, who is also mum to 7-year-old daughter Bella, said she had never once been told to breastfeed in a specific location before.

Archaic rules

She added: 'In the 8 years of breastfeeding I have never been approached and told to feed in a specific location.

'I can’t believe this is their policy. We should be openly allowed to breastfeed where we want. I don’t even think women should be approached, we should be able to feed as necessary.'

Rachel claims that their attitude was 'absolutely disgusting' and their rules 'archaic'.

‘Does that mean I need to go to a cubicle 10 times to feed my baby? A baby could need to be fed five times in an hour. It’s an incredibly responsive style of parenting.

'It’s like no one is willing to listen and that’s the way it is,' she added.

'We want all our pool visitors to feel safe and comfortable using our facilities'

A spokesperson for South Tyneside Council said it was a 'huge advocate of breastfeeding and actively supports breastfeeding mums to feed their babies on demand wherever necessary.

'We want all our pool visitors to feel safe and comfortable using our facilities.

'While we have no issue with mums breastfeeding in our swimming pool areas, we ask that mums feed their babies at the edge of the pool to reduce the safety risk to all pool users.'

The spokesperson added: 'If breastfeeding mums prefer more privacy, then cubicles are available.

'We believe we take a balanced approach to the needs of mothers, babies and others pool users. We apologise for any distress this has caused.'

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