Does breastfeeding offend you?
March 30, 2010 at 4:31 am 19 comments
I was reading about how DELTA airlines doesnt allow breastfeeding in the cabin of their flights. They require that nursing mothers take their infants into the lavatory to feed the babies.
When I read this I started to FUME!! First, I think the concept of feeding anyone in a nasty bathroom is disgusting. Second, HOW DARE ANYONE DICTATE TO ME WHEN TO FEED MY CHILD. Third, it has been proven that nursing a child during take of and landing can relieve any discomfort that the infant can feel during the altitude change. It also keeps the baby quiet, making everyone around the baby more comfortable!
So what do you think? If you were on a plane and the woman sitting next to you began nursing would you be offended? Do you think that it is ok for society to dictate when and where this can be done?
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: babies, baby, breastfeeding, DELTA, formula, Nursing, WTF?.
1.
Evil HR Lady | March 30, 2010 at 4:54 am
Umm, that is the most ridiculous policy ever. It makes me want to have a baby, and book a trip on Delta so I can spend the entire flight in the bathroom nursing, because my babies tend to want to nurse for hours at a time.
2.
Evil HR Lady | March 30, 2010 at 4:58 am
I looked into this a little more and I can’t find any info on this policy. I found this: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion/143332 which states that Delta allows mothers to nurse on their planes. Link please?
3.
studentrntiffany | March 30, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Thank you for the information!
4.
monnik | March 30, 2010 at 5:22 am
Is that legal? Seriously – that just seems like an outdated law.
Breastfeeding is totally natural and nothing to be ashamed of. I nursed all three of my kids and never seemed to have any trouble with it. I was always discrete and used a blanket to cover up any ‘offending’ parts.
I’d much rather get a glimpse of a breastfeeding baby than listen to the poor thing howl on a flight.
5.
Jim | March 30, 2010 at 5:26 am
Yep. Dunno why, but I do. It should be done in private. You might carry a bottle (if that’s allowed – probably not on a flight) for situations in which you might have to breastfeed in public.
6.
sara | March 30, 2010 at 7:40 am
Jim, breastfed babies don’t usually get bottles. Mine never did, anyways. Breastfeeding isn’t just about eating, it’s a huge source of comfort for a baby. My daughter had horrible pressure in her eardrums when we flew, and nursing was the only thing that kept her calm and happy. With our society’s lack of modesty, what on earth is the sticking point with breastfeeding! You see more on the cover of Vogue.
7.
studentrntiffany | March 30, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Another fact is if you are going to bring a bottle, when and where do you suggest the mother pump that breast milk?
8.
Amy | March 30, 2010 at 6:07 am
I’ve nursed a fifteen month old on four delta flights, and no one said anything to me. This was, however, almost a year ago, but this rule doesn’t make any sense. If I hadn’t nursed her, all of the people in the plane would have been subjected to a toddler throwing a fit because she was tired, her ears hurt, and she was hungry, could see the food source and Mom wouldn’t give it to her. Instead, she was calm and slept for two out of the four legs. I had a couple of people comment that they hadn’t even known that she was on the flight (and made the same comments along the same lines about my 10 and 8 year olds, too)
Jim: Overlooking the point that the ability to feed is a natural human right, what are parents of babies who refuse to accept a substitute (bottle) supposed to do? Alternately, which would you prefer, a screaming, inconsolable child inside a plane, or a sleeping happy one?
9.
Michelle | March 30, 2010 at 6:46 am
I nursed my son on a 4 flight trip just a few months ago, and no one said anything. In fact, the sweet, slightly drunk man sitting next to me commented on how it was great to see a mother nurturing her son the way nature intended
If this really is a rule on Delta, I would say that it depends more on who your flight attendants are. I can’t see anyone actually trying to enforce such a ridiculous rule, especially if it’s keeping the child from screaming.
10.
Karen | March 30, 2010 at 7:50 am
I’ve breastfed on Delta flights with no problem and I’m not the most diligent mom when it comes to covering with a blanket either. I’ve also nursed on Continental, American, Southwest and America West with no altercations with anyone.
11.
Karen | March 30, 2010 at 7:54 am
I will share a funny store re: Delta ticketing staff.
It was the week after all the hoopla about liquids on planes began. I was flying with my exclusively breastfed 4 month old. As I was checking in the agent asked me about any fluids, liquids etc….I said I had nothing. Her eyes got all big and said, “What about the baby? Don’t you have anything to feed her???” I replied, “She’s breastfed and I have no intention of checking those.” She got all flustered and harumphed a few times, but the man behind me found it just hysterical.
12.
studentrntiffany | March 30, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Thats pretty funny!!
13.
UgRN | March 30, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Hahahaha! That’s awesome
14.
atyourcervix | March 30, 2010 at 8:07 am
Offended? Absolutely not. Never. Ever. And if you are offended by breastfeeding? Simple: DON’T LOOK.
15.
Katie | March 30, 2010 at 8:36 am
I actually looked for information on this, too, because it got my blood boiling. I can’t find anything that shows this is an actual policy, can you please cite your source?
And to answer your question, no, it would not offend me at all. As a nursing mother, I was extremely conscientious about covering and trying to be as discreet as possible, both for my own comfort and those around me.
16.
Heather | March 30, 2010 at 8:59 am
nope it doesn’t offend me, unless her whole bloody boob is hanging out. I had a professor nurse during lectures, with the whole thing showing. Couldn’t stand it. Discreet is great. In fact, I always thought it would be nice to be able to nurse in church, instead of being hidden away. I am totally fine with it.
17.
Chelle | March 30, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Nope. Doesn’t bother me at all, for the most part. I do appreciate Mother’s who do it covered as much as possible, though.
I breastfed my Twins, usually together – not something I ever mastered in public. So I confined it to home, car, bathrooms with lounges, etc….
In public – 1 got a bottle and 1 got nursed under cover.
I will confess, though, when my kids were 6.5 yrs old? A neighbor came over with her infant and even with a room full of empty couch and chair space – she picked the corner of the couch , right at my husbands elbow, to whip it out and nurse uncovered .
I don’t know if it was the fact that we hardly knew her, or I wondered if she did it deliberately , or what? But yeah. It pissed me off and offended me….
But that was the only time.
18.
Kirsten Scannon | March 30, 2010 at 5:50 pm
My first reaction is to boycott Delta! After skimming over some of the other comments it appears it shouldn’t be too much o a problem, though.
As AYC said, if it offends you, don’t look!
19.
studentrntiffany | March 30, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Everyone…my apologies as this was not a piece of literature that I can site. This was from a blog that I read and someones experience. I also did some research today and it appears that DELTA does not ban breastfeeding.
Thank you everyone for sharing your stories, I truly appreciate it!