Mum sues swimming pool claiming staff stopped her breastfeeding her baby in a wave pool

Abbie Stocker breastfeeding her two children
Abbie Stocker breastfeeding her two children Credit: Facebook

A furious mother is suing her local leisure centre for allegedly preventing her from breastfeeding her baby in a swimming pool.

Abbie Stocker, 27, rowed with staff at the Pendle Wavelengths pool in Nelson, Lancashire, when she fed her eight-month son Eric in the water while the wave machine was on.

She reportedly declined the offer of using a chair and later decided to take legal action for £20,000 against the swimming baths. She claimed the incident had not been handled in a positive way.

Speaking to the Sun, a source said a lifeguard had suggested the mother might be more comfortable sitting in a chair because the wave machine can be quite powerful.

“The staff member thought the baby may become upset and was only trying to help,” they said.

Abbie Stocker breastfeeding one of her children
Abbie Stocker breastfeeding one of her children Credit: Facebook

One anonymous member of the leisure facility said breastfeeding in the pool could be a health risk, adding: “If the baby had been sick, the pool would have had to be closed, drained and it would have been shut for days”.

The centre is run by Pendle Leisure Trust, which confirmed to the newspaper that they were facing legal action.

It is the second time Ms Stocker has complained about her treatment when breastfeeding her children. Two years ago Burnley General Hospital apologised for suggesting that she breastfed in a private room rather than in the waiting area.

According to the Equality Act 2010 it is unlawful for any business to discriminate against a woman because she is breastfeeding a child.

In 2014, mothers protested outside Claridge’s hotel in central London after a woman was told to cover herself up with a large napkin while breastfeeding at the five-star establishment.

Lou Burns was given the napkin by staff when she fed her baby while having afternoon tea with her family.

 

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