Salem, OREGON (KOIN)-- An Oregon mother said she was humiliated by her doctor as she tried to breastfeed her baby.
She says her doctor told her to cover herself while nursing, claiming it's a clinic policy.
But, according to Portland news outlet KOIN, who originally wrote this story, that would be against Oregon law.
Last month, Jennifer Howard had her first appointment with a doctor at the Salem clinic in part to ask about postpartum depression, and she brought her 4-month-old daughter Evelyn with her.
“During the office visit in the exam room she started crying,” Howard said. “She became hungry and I did what any mom would do, I pick her up and attempt to nurse her."
But she said the doctor stopped her.
"He asked me if I had a cover and I was a little surprised," she said.
She asked the doctor to clarify.
“He said yes, to cover yourself while you're breastfeeding and I said well no doctor has ever asked me to do that before and he said well it's a rule we have to prevent lawsuits from something inappropriate," she said.
The appointment continued - but Jennifer was upset.
"It was humiliating honestly, I'm just trying to feed my baby, I'm not doing anything that should be hidden,” she said. “He could have gotten a nurse if he was uncomfortable, he could have simply excused himself and left the room."
After the appointment, she called patient services.
"[They] informed me there was no breastfeeding policy they don't have one at all," Howard said.
Under Oregon law - women have the right to breastfeed in public.
Howard has since filed a complaint with the Oregon medical board.
