A Georgia mother, Tiffany Francis, recently endured a distressing experience at Rigby’s Water World, where she was told to stop breastfeeding her 11-month-old son while floating in the lazy river a setting she’d previously used to help him nap thanks to its soothing motion.
Rules vs. Reality: No Sign, No Sense
Tiffany calmly asked to see any written rule that prohibited breastfeeding. The staff staff—including a lifeguard and a manager—cited a policy against “no food or drinks in the water”. However, she found no signage or posted regulation at the entrance confirming such a rule One mother on social media sharply criticized the park’s logic:
“Imagine all the bodily fluids being excreted into the water, but they’re worried about breastmilk…”
Legal Rights Clarified
Under Georgia law (Code § 31-1-9), breastfeeding is explicitly permitted “in any location where the mother and baby are otherwise authorized to be”. The incident left Tiffany feeling humiliated, particularly when she asked for a refund for her season pass—a request that was denied. She shared her experience on Facebook, saying, “I left crying because I was told I couldn’t feed my child… It is against the law to tell a mother they can’t breastfeed their child.”
Policy Overhaul Following Backlash
The post quickly went viral, drawing widespread criticism. Influenced by public reaction, Rigby’s Water World updated its policy to clearly allow mothers to breastfeed anywhere in the park, including in water rides—despite doing so already being legal
The vice president of operations, Steve Brown, acknowledged the mistake:
“I looked up the law and saw that mothers have the right to breastfeed anywhere they’re allowed to be… we made the decision to allow our guests to breastfeed in the pools…”
He also emphasized that staff retraining was implemented to prevent such misunderstandings in the future
The Emotional Toll and Voices of Support
Tiffany’s public sharing illuminated a broader issue: the shame breastfeeding mothers often face in public spaces. She noted how other moms shared stories of feeling forced to feed their children in cars, bathrooms, or hidden corners—behaviors that highlight societal discomfort with breastfeeding—despite it being a natural, protected act. A comment captured the essence of the debate:
“Breastfeeding has been sexualized to the point where it’s not a natural thing… I just want other moms to feel comfortable feeding in public.”
Broader Perspective: A Societal Issue
This incident reflects a persistent societal discomfort with public breastfeeding—one that’s been unfairly sexualized and stigmatized. Similar cases, such as a woman breastfeeding on a Disney ride, have sparked polarized reactions online—even when clearly legal—and show how much society still struggles to normalize breastfeeding in public.
Conclusion
Tiffany Francis’s experience at Rigby’s Water World is not just about a rule misunderstanding—it serves as a powerful reminder that public breastfeeding is both natural and legally protected. It highlights the emotional and social barriers many mothers still face. Thanks to her courage and public advocacy, the water park corrected its policy and reaffirmed the legal right to breastfeed in public. More importantly, her story continues to encourage mothers to stand firm, speak out, and reclaim the simple, shared right to nurture their children without fear or shame.
