A woman in Texas is claiming that she and her family were asked to leave a restaurant on Father’s Day because she was breastfeeding her baby. The mom shared her experience on TikTok, saying the incident ruined her husband’s first Father’s Day and left her feeling humiliated and shamed for feeding her child. Although she asked netizens to do their “thing,” it appears that most are on the restaurant’s side.
According to the mom, she and her husband had brought their 5-month-old baby to Nowhere Bar in Celina, Texas, to celebrate. While she was breastfeeding, she said a staff member approached their table and told her she needed to cover up. She said she refused and asked whether someone had complained. The staff allegedly told her that management had seen her on the security cameras and did not want her breastfeeding in the restaurant.
The woman said that when she asked for her check and to have her order canceled, she was informed that the owner would cover their bill but that they needed to leave. She claimed that another family who had also brought their 5-month-old was asked to leave and that the two families left together.
“That was extremely humiliating and demoralizing,” the mom said in her TikTok video. “I need y’all to do your big one on this one because they ruined my family’s first Father’s Day and they shamed a mother for trying to feed her baby.”
Restaurant Responds to the Breastfeeding Controversy
After the Texas mom’s posts began to gain attention, Nowhere Bar owner Katie gave a statement on Instagram denying that anyone had been asked to stop breastfeeding or leave because they were feeding their baby. She said the incident had occurred due to a “miscommunication” with staff after one of their employees became uncomfortable with the situation and sought assistance from a manager.
“We believe that everybody involved was acting in good faith,” Katie stated. “If we thought that someone was asked not to breastfeed or told to leave because they were breastfeeding, we would be angry too. But that’s simply not what happened here. While we clearly have different perspectives on what happened that day, it’s obvious that the interaction had a significant impact on the family involved, and for that, we’re deeply sorry.”
Katie added that it is not the company’s policy to prohibit breastfeeding mothers and said they were welcome to visit the establishment. “We’re a small local business who genuinely care about our guests, our staff, and this community. And we hope we can all move forward with a little bit of grace and understanding,” the owner said.
Internet Sides With Restaurant
Despite the mother’s account, many netizens defended the restaurant’s handling of the situation. “I 100% agree with the restaurant on this one,” one person said. Another commented, “I mean I get it but it’s a business and some people do find it uncomfortable.” A third remarked, “Restaurants have the right to refuse service.”
Several people argued that breastfeeding in public should be done more discreetly. “Whats so hard about being discreet about it in public?? not everyone wants to see that 💯 respect others if you want others to respect you 💯,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “I get the baby has to eat but I have always protected my modesty with a little blanket. Never had a problem before.” Someone else asked, “So was pumping before not an option?”
Some viewers, however, thought the woman was in the right. “Breastfeeding is a protected legal right in all 50 states. Get a lawyer,” one netizen advised. Another supporter said, “Its way to [sic] hot In texas to be covered up to feed YOUR baby❤️❤️.”
The Texas mom has claimed in the comments under her TikTok posts, which have now surpassed 700,000 views, that she and her family plan to sue the establishment.
