Mom highlights breastfeeding protections after ‘misunderstanding’ at city-owned pool

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – A College Station mother is sharing her story after being asked to move or cover up while breastfeeding her baby in public.

Elizabeth Bossert said this happened at the City of College Station-owned Cindy Hallaran Pool this past week. She was breastfeeding her six-month-old baby while spending time with friends and her oldest daughter.

Bossert said pool staff approached her and asked her to cover up or to move to a secluded room. This is when her friend notified staff of laws, protecting women who are breastfeeding in public. Bossert said this didn’t seem to matter.

”The law protects my right to breastfeed so my friend over here informed the lifeguard of that and then she sent over her manager who kind of reiterated what [the lifeguard] had said. So it was pretty upsetting,” Bossert said.

After the incident, Bossert said she was able to speak with city leadership and she’s feeling better, at least about the latest situation.

”I did get a hold of the Director of Parks and Recreation later this week and she apologized and told me that it will definitely be covered in training for staff from now on,” she said.

But, Bossert said the awareness doesn’t stop there. Saturday, Bossert and a group of young moms held a nurse-in.

“We have a bunch of nursing moms come and we’re all going to start nursing our babies at the same time to bring awareness to the law and spread the word that we don’t want to embarrass moms. We don’t want to call moms out, make them feel singled out,” she said. “It’s very important to me that moms are not confronted about breastfeeding in public because it does make you embarrassed and shamed and it can really shake your confidence. The next day when I was when I needed to nurse him in public, I was kind of scared to do it and I don’t want other moms to have their breastfeeding relationship affected.”

The City of College Station released the following statement:

“The City of College Station regrets any misunderstanding with Ms. Bossert at Cindy Hallaran Pool. Pool personnel were concerned only about the potential hazards to mother and baby created by nursing at the pool’s edge. Our staff members understand the issue, and mothers are always welcome to breastfeed at City pools.”