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Mum Hits Out At Lifeguard Who Told Her Off For Breastfeeding In The Pool

Rachel Andrews

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| Last updated 

Mum Hits Out At Lifeguard Who Told Her Off For Breastfeeding In The Pool

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

An Australian mum has hit out at her local lido's lifeguards on social media after she was told off for breastfeeding her baby in the pool.

The woman said she was asked to leave the swimming pool at Lakeside Leisure Centre in Raymond Terrace near Newcastle, while nursing her 10-month-old baby as she supervised her three-year-old son in the water.

The New South Wales mum says that she was told food and drink are not allowed by the pool, and it would be a 'hygiene risk' if the milk went into the water.

Credit: Facebook
Credit: Facebook
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Posting her experience on a parenting Facebook group, she wrote: "Yesterday was the second time the lifeguards at the pool I take my son to for swimming lessons has asked me to get out of the water because I was breastfeeding my 10-month-old son.

"The reasons they gave me were: no food and drink allowed in the pool, getting milk in the water is a hygiene risk and my baby might vomit in the water."

She then added: "I'm not usually one to make waves but it's really affected me and I'm quite angry and upset by this experience."

Speaking to Yahoo 7, the woman explained that she asked to see the pool's policies.

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Credit: PA Images
Credit: PA Images

"I asked to see the pool's policy on this and she informed me there is no policy about breastfeeding but that they don't allow food and drink in the pool and if my kid vomits in the pool then everyone has to get out," she recalled. "I told her that I can't stop the milk coming out when I have a let down, and that asking me to leave the pool because I'm breastfeeding is illegal."

The mum continued: "The lifeguard's reasons are pathetic, they show a clear lack of understanding of basic human biology and of the law. It's ignorance on their part.

"The first time I was so incredibly embarrassed and ashamed that it happened to me, I've only ever heard of it happening to other people.

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"The second time I was angry, I am more confident in myself as a mother and of my legal rights to breastfeed anywhere, any time, including in a public pool if I choose."

According to the mum, the response on social media has been mixed, with some agreeing with her and others taking the side of the lifeguards.

She said: "But overall, it shows to me that there is still so much misinformation out there about a breastfeeding mother's right to feed her child anywhere, at any time."

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The management at Lakeside Leisure Centre says that it is investigating the complaint.

Topics: Life News, Real, Parenting

Rachel Andrews
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