Nurse-in scheduled after mom says she was shamed for breastfeeding baby at mental health clinic

(TULSA, Okla.) A Green Country mom is speaking out after seeking help for postpartum anxiety, and receiving shame for breastfeeding her child instead. “Today I went to Strength of Mind Behavioral Health. I currently struggle with postpartum anxiety and am on a medication for it,” Chrissie Demarais posted on Facebook Thursday. “The chief operating officer asked me to cover up as I was feeding a screaming Jack who hadn't had breakfast.” Demarais said she was asked to go to a private office or bathroom on Thursday by a woman she said was one step below the business’ owner. When she declined, Demarais said the woman told her, "Well honey. No one meant to hurt your feelings. We just don't want that in our office." VNN reached out to Strength of Mind Behavioral Health for comment on the incident but has yet to hear back. Demarais said she didn’t have time to grab a blanket or snacks for her 11-month-old son before she left the house that day, and had no other choice but to feed her baby. "I'm incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from my friends, family and strangers,” Demarais said. “It is unfortunate that I need support to simply feed my child, but nevertheless I am incredibly grateful to see the love from everyone as we work to normalize breastfeeding." Breastfeeding in public was made Oklahoma law in 2004 with House Bill 2102. The law states: The Legislature hereby declares that breast-feeding a baby constitutes a basic act of nurturing to which every baby has a right and which should be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health. In furtherance of this right, a mother may breast-feed her baby in any location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least 1 year or longer to achieve optimal maternal and child health: https://www.ok.gov/health2/documents/BF-AAPPolicyStatement.pdf The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond. A nurse-in has been organized at Strength of Mind Behavioral Health Monday at 4 pm to show support for breastfeeding mothers. In the meantime, Demarais said she received a call from Crossroad Counseling Friday morning, telling her not only could she nurse wherever she wanted, but that any therapy or treatment she needed would be covered 100%. You can find more information about breastfeeding here: https://www.ok.gov/health/Family_Health/Breastfeeding You can find more information about postpartum depression and anxiety here: https://www.postpartumdepression.com