JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (WBRC) – The city of Jacksonville is making some changes when it comes to breastfeeding at public pools and splash pads. This comes after park and recreation crews started cleaning and sanitizing the pool after a mother breastfed her baby.
Ben Nunnally with the city of Jacksonville says they could’ve handled the situation better, but under the previous policy, breast milk was considered contamination. He says the city is making things right.
“So, the policy we had standing was if any bodily fluid that you can identify goes into the pool then you shock it,” said Nunnally.
While breastfeeding her child at the Jacksonville Community Center, pool officials began shocking or sanitizing the pool when the mother was done because they believed her breastmilk helped contaminate the pool.
“My wife had breastfed at the pool without issue with my two children and my wife went to the director of the community center, the parks and recreational department, and showed her the law and was like, that’s not right,” said Grant Williams.
At the time, Nunnally says the parks and recreation department listed breast milk in the same category as feces, vomit, and blood, and considered it a bodily fluid entering the water, requiring the pool to be cleaned and treated for public safety.
“The mayor had a conversation with him and during that the mayor said, okay you’re right, we’re going to start following the CDC guidelines so we won’t do that anymore,” said Nunnally.
According to the CDC. when it comes to breastfeeding in pools and splash pads: “It is unlikely that breastfeeding in the water presents any more risks for babies and children than the risks of regular pool or splash pad use. The CDC is unaware of any risks to other swimmers related to breastfeeding in pool or splash pad water.”
“We won’t know about these things unless they’re brought to the higher levels for us to tend to. It’s going to make it easier for mothers to feed their kids when they’re at the pool and really we’re happy to have had a good outcome from all of it,” said Nunnally.
Nunnally says the city is working on a new policy when it comes to the pool. He says the city respects every woman’s rights when it comes to breastfeeding.
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