Texas City mom told to leave pool while breastfeeding son

TEXAS CITY, Texas - Area mothers are coming out to support a Texas City mom who was asked to leave a city pool when she refused to stop breastfeeding her son.

A couple dozen moms held a “nurse-in” at Nessler Swimming Pool, breastfeeding their babies at the pool after one mom says a manager told her to cover up while breastfeeding or leave.

"I don’t stand for a lot, but I will stand for this,” says Misty Daugereaux, who says on Sunday afternoon she was enjoying the day at Nessler Family Aquatic Center and she began breastfeeding her 10-month-old son Maxx. "The lifeguard came from behind me and he leaned over my shoulder and he asked, ‘Ma’am, are you breast feeding?’ I was like, 'Yes, as a matter of fact I am.' He was like, 'You can’t do that here, it’s a public pool,' and I was like, 'I absolutely can,'” explains Daugereaux. 

The mother of two says the manager then came over.  

"And she was like, 'Well then, I’m going to need you to cover up, and I said 'I don’t have to cover up'”.  

The Texas City Police Department was called and as we see from the arriving officer’s body cam, he told Daugereaux the manager wants her to leave due to her conduct. 

"I just immediately started flooding with tears,” says Daugereaux.  

The emotional mom wrote about it on Facebook saying, “I got kicked out of Nessler Aquatic for breastfeeding.” 

Several moms, some holding signs, joined Daugereaux at the pool the next day, breastfeeding at the pool in support.  

"It’s the most invigorating feeling in the world to have so much support. I walked out of these gates feeling defeated,” explains Daugereaux. 

"The idea that somebody would shame a mom and kick her out of a public place for feeding her baby is very upsetting for me,” says Andrea Miller, who’s a member of the Moms of Galveston County Facebook group. 

"Women who choose to breastfeed should be supported socially and legally,” says Sorcha Brown.  

According to the law, a mother is entitled to breastfeed her baby in any location in which the mother is authorized to be.

"I think this is a women’s rights issue. Women should not be told what to do with their bodies, especially when it comes to feeding their babies,” adds Lorna McHone. 

"Some women are confident pulling their whole top off. Some women are confident using a two shirt method. Some women use a cover up.  Me, personally I’m discreet as possible, but I won’t change my ways for anybody,” says Daugereaux.  

Nessler is a city-owned facility. Texas City released the following statement: