Breastfeeding Mother told to cover at Gulf Islands Water Park 

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Breastfeeding Mother told to cover at Gulf Islands Water Park 

This happened to a personal friend of mine today, Candace Setosta at Gulf Islands Water Park. I have copied her exact words about the incident below.

You can politely send them information on breastfeeding rights to their Facebook or call or write to them at:

(228) 328-1266

17200 16th St

Gulfport, MS 39503

United States

So, today we went toGul Islands Water Park…. As a breastfeeding mom I always think of where I can feed my baby anytime we go some where. Well Max was hungry as soon as we got there… I went up to one of the employees and I asked if they had a particular place for me to feed my baby. She said, no. I said that I breastfeed and asked, “so, I can just feed him anywhere?” She said yes, then I asked if someone complained if I could just come get her, she said yes that was fine… So that is what I did the first time I sat at a picnic table next to the “cafe” and as I was feeding Max an entire family sat down and ate with him lol… I really don’t think they knew I was breastfeeding because I am pretty discreet. The second time I fed him we were in the baby/kids area under a slide for shade in the water. An older lady complimented me on how beautiful he was as he ate… Unfortunately, the third time I fed him was in the “cafe” area… We all sat down at a table and ate and of course Max got hungry too lol… Well this time I was sitting feeding him and my sister and friend took two of the 5 children we had with us to get dipping dots… At this point I was alone feeding Max and I had a 3 year old and a 6 year old sitting at the table with me… Two older women walked up to me one was the supervisor, they asked me to cover my baby with a towel to feed him… Mind you its 91 degrees and 100% humidity here in south Mississippi… I nicely told them no it was really hot and I would not put him under a towel… Then I was asked if I would unlatch him and go to her office… Again I said no, I’m not going to UNLATCH him and take him to your office to eat… I reminded her that legally I can feed my baby anywhere I choose… She then said that I shouldn’t feed him in the “cafe” in front of all the other children… Because families were “offended!” At this point I was not very polite anymore… I said, “yeah, because heaven forbid we teach our children that breast have a biological reason for being here… They are not sexual objects they were designed to feed our children!” (Very loudly in hopes that whoever complained could hear me!) She then informed me that she breastfed (because that makes this situation better) and asked me to face the fence to feed him… I asked, “seriously? You want me to face the fence? Seriously?” Well at this point a nice gentlemen sitting at the table next to me began to get aggravated with the situation as well… Luckily he came to my defense, because a teenage boy walk by saying, “You need to go somewhere, No one wants to see that!” Then the same gentleman told him “No, you need to go somewhere she is feeding her infant!” Thank God he was there… Because I was upset and almost almost in tears… I am so glad he and his girlfriend were there to defend me… It was awful! I have a few issues with the whole situation… 1) even though the “supervisor” said several times she wasn’t trying to be rude and that she breastfed… Her demeanor and tone came off extremely rude… 2) legally I can feed my baby anywhere I please and I was extremely discreet and last but certainly not least 3) we were at a freaking water park!!!!! Everyone in that place was half dressed… Some people’s bathing suits showed more than I did while feeding my baby! What should have happened… When the “person” (most likely the teenage boy) went to the supervisor to complain is, she should have told him legally I can feed my baby anywhere I chose… And that if he is sooo offended he can either move, or better idea eat your hamburger and not stare at her and her son while he’s eating!!!!! Because that is terribly rude! 

I added a the picture below to show that while max is eating you see no more than you what you see while I’m in my bathing suit!!!!

About Latch The Babes

I am a crunchy mama of four children who is passionate about providing research based breastfeeding education. I live in Mississippi with my husband, Brian, my three sons, Gabe, Justin, & Bryson, and my daughter, Kynli, who I often refer to as "Miss Ma'am". I breastfed all of my boys and Miss Ma'am is still going strong! I worked as a lactation specialist with WIC for a few years and am currently working on my IBCLC requirements. I have been involved with La Leche League since my oldest son was born in 1997.

5 responses »

  1. YOU GO GIRL BREAST FEEDING IS THE MOST NATURAL THING IN THE WORLD GLAD YOU CAN DO IT DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERENT OR MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE THE WRONG ONE THUMBS UP TO ALL MOTHERS WHO Can and do breast feed

  2. I’m so sorry this happened to you. It’s pathetic! I’m all the way with helping this problem!!! I’m breastfeeding and I usually have my little one in her pouch and her small blanket over her while she’s eating and I get crazy looks at me and you can’t even see her. It hurts my feelings because this is the best for them and then back in the day how do people think they feed their babies before bottles were made!!! Gosh!!! I’m sorry ❤

  3. I am so sorry you had to deal with that. I nursed my baby at a water park in Virginia last week and we both feel asleep and he unmatched. I am unsure how long my nipple was out for everyone to see. Oops. But way to go and stand your ground!!

  4. Unbelievable!! I wholeheartedly agree! I would not have been so nice as you were though! Kudos for standing up for yourself! Life is precious, Feed your baby!
    Not all People are educated enough to realize the importance. You should never compromise when it comes to nursing.
    It’s so frustrating to think they have the nerve to ask you turn around, cover up but the shameless youth of the world walk around with pants sagging and exposing themselves for no real purpose!
    #breastisbest

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