Ohio moms stage very eye-catching swimming pool protest after one was told she couldn't breastfeed in public
A group of Ohio mothers have come together to show their support for a woman who was asked to breastfeed in private rather than near a swimming pool.
Vanessa Dyckman was breastfeeding her baby at a public swimming pool in New Albany, near Columbus, last week when a lifeguard walked up to her.
'Lifeguard was like, "Excuse me, you actually can't nurse here. We would prefer you went to the bathroom or something instead",' she recalled to KXII.
She further said: 'I can definitely say that I was still remaining rather modest while nursing. We were not being flashy or trying to cause a scene.
'They whistled and their manager came over, and he proceeded to tell me that I was not allowed to nurse in the pool area at all.'
A group of Ohio mothers have come together to show their support for a woman who was asked to breastfeed in private rather than near a swimming pool
Soon after, Dyckman and her friends came together in protest of the woman being reprimanded.
Video footage from the moment shows over five woman sitting on the edge of the pool and breastfeeding as they enjoy the sun.
Talking of the display of power and friends' support, Dyckman said: 'My breastfeeding journey, in part, has been as successful as it is because of this group of friends.'
Her friend and educator, Brittany Kovacs added: 'I'm a breastfeeding educator and so I knew right away that it is legal to breastfeed your baby in public, covered or uncovered, whatever the mother’s preference is.'
Vanessa Dyckman (pictured) was breastfeeding her baby at a public swimming pool in New Albany, near the capitol of Columbus last week when a lifeguard scolded her
Soon after, Dyckman and her friends came together in protest of the former being reprimanded
Video footage from the moment shows over five woman sitting on the edge of the pool and breastfeeding as they enjoy the sun
Cierra Rider, another one of the protestors who is Dyckman’s friend said: 'It is a big deal for moms to be nursing in public. Sometimes it’s a lot. The way that people view it is sometimes negatively seen.'
According to Section 3781 of Ohio Revised Code, 'a mother is entitled to breastfeed her baby in any location of a place of public accommodation wherein the mother otherwise is permitted.'
Since then, officials have apologized for the misunderstanding and clarified that the township supports and welcomes all breastfeeding moms.
Authorities also said they were going to use this moment as a training opportunity to teach lifeguards about breastfeeding laws in Ohio.
