Nursing on a plane. What are my rights?

[Beene]

Hi mamas,

I will be traveling alone with DS (6 mo.) and will need to nurse him. He hates having his face covered and won't nurse that way. Since I am alone and he is on my lap, there will likely be someone sitting right next to me. What should I expect and what are my rights?

Thanks!

P.S. I just called the airline and am fumed and confused. She said this exactly: "We do not have any policies against breastfeeding, but as you know, when in public, you will need to cover up with a blanket so you are not exposing yourself."
That stinks....He may not even eat this way....

[Sandstress]

Maybe ask to be referred to their written policy. I"m not sure they can require you to cover.

[GAmomto5]

I have nursed all my children on a plane many times and never had a problem. I do try to be discreet, but do not use a blanket. Of course, that doesn't mean that you won't have a problem, but just wanted to let you know that I never have, at least not on Delta or Airtran. Also, I think that the laws of the state you are flying from (or to?) and not the policy of the airlines is what is important. State law trumps airline policy.

[mysticmomma]

I've always wondered, aren't airplanes under federal law, since air space is federal? So, if state law doesn't apply, the only federal law wrt bf on federal property should, right?

And yeah, ask for it in writing. It's all about who you get on the plane that makes the decision.

[sncmom]

My daughter was the same way about having her head covered and the two of us had to fly a lot b/c my father was dying when she was an infant. I got some clothes from motherwear.com that covered me up very nicely while still allowing her to BF. It has been a while, but I think they had a tank and cardigan combo that was my fave for flying.
Good luck!

[mamajake]

While the plane is on the ground, you're probably covered by the public breastfeeding law of the state the plane is in. I write "probably" because this was the finding in the Gillette/Delta case in Vermont, but one can't be sure that every state or federal court would come to the same conclusion.

It is unclear what breastfeeding-related law applies while the plane is in the air. There is no case law yet. You are at the mercy of airline policy. Most airlines don't have a written policy concerning breastfeeding so you are basically at the mercy of the airplane personnel. Here is a link to a group of posts on nursing on airplanes, including one on investigating airline policies: http://www.phdinparenting.com/2008/0...he-collection/

If you can get a written assurance that your airline policy supports breastfeeding, I would be sure to bring a copy with you. The verbal response you got from the airline on which you are planning on traveling is unacceptable and leaves you quite vulnerable. If I were you, I would try to change airlines (of course, this may not be possible).

Hope that helps.

[mamazee]

"As you know, in public you'll have to cover up with a blanket"???? Did you say anything about that? Like, "Why would I know that? I don't cover up with a blanket in public."

I've nursed on a lot of airplanes in front of a lot of people with children aged up to about 30 months or so, and I've never gotten word one over it. From anyone. And I've never covered with a blanket. I wouldn't assume there will be a problem. But I'd be seriously bothered by the response you got.

[Youngfrankenstein]

I think the airlines issue would be "over" exposure vs. covering with a blanket. I think discreet nursing should be fine.

[Poodge]

I have flown twice with DS and nursed him both times. I haven't had any issues, but agree I would want to talk with someone else and see if they have a policy in writing.

[_betsy_]

Nurse. As usual. Without regrets, embarrassment or any issues. Do things as you normal would around other people. If you use a blanket, fine, if you're not used to doing htat, then don't. I certainly don't know any 6 month olds that would tolerate that. A six week old, maybe.

I've nursed 2 different kids on several different planes, with DH next to me or not, and never had any trouble. I've had knowing smiles and nods from other passengers and airline staff, and I've had no one notice at all.

I think people realize it's a lot easier for them to get over their issues with NIP than to deal with a screaming baby the whole plane ride. If anyone has a problem with it, I'd just say something like "Oh, sorry - better for baby to be nursing than screaming, though, right?"

Nurse on take off if you can, it helps with the ear pressure/popping thing.

[Beene]

Originally Posted by mamazee

"As you know, in public you'll have to cover up with a blanket"???? Did you say anything about that? Like, "Why would I know that? I don't cover up with a blanket in public."
I'd be seriously bothered by the response you got.

Actually, what I said was, "And do you make your bottlefeeding customers cover their child's face?" She didn't seem impressed....They train those people to be so robotic. ewww.

[NorthernPixie]

What airline are you flying, and from where to where? Maybe somebody here has specific experience.

I flew a ton with dd from about 3.5 months until around a year. I never had a specific problem, although I sure was all geared up and ready to defend myself if the need arose...but it never did.

Arrive at the gate early. Ask, in the most friendly manner you can muster, the agents at the gate if there is anywhere on the plane you could be moved to have an empty seat next to you, as you will be nursing your baby and would appreciate the extra space (not to hide, oh no, but to just give yourself some room. At least at 6 wks your babe won't be kicking the person next to you, that's fun). If the plane even has one spare seat, every agent I've asked, on multiple airlines, has done everything they can to accommodate me. Often this means sitting at the very back, but so what.

I've often had help boarding early to get myself settled. When they come to ask if you've flown with dc before, say yes. They may not bother to tell you the 'rules' and therefore if you break one of their 'rules' you can claim ignorance later. Some advocate nursing on take-off and landing, some express shock and horror at the thought. But whatever. Once you hear the announcement for the flight attendants to take their seats, they probably can't see you, no matter what you do. And once you're in the air, they can't kick you off.

While in the air (I'm assuming US, but I could be wrong), if anyone offers you a blanket or otherwise suggest you cover or not breastfeed, etc. etc., politely decline and state that it is your right to feed your baby wherever you have the right to be, and that if anyone has complained to please remind them of that. Could be a flight attendant being 'proactive' or responding to a complainer. If you're flying in Canada, the law is much stronger, but also untested I think.

If you baby wear you will have to have the baby out of the carrier/sling during take-off and landing, but if you do use a sling or a wrap it makes it easier to at least go to the bathroom during flight with your baby asleep!

Good luck. And if you can, get the airline's breastfeeding policies in writing, although I have yet to find one willing to give it up.

[Birdie B.]

All of the above. I have flown numerous times, and nursed my daughter on every flight. I have found the flight attendants to be so kind to a mother with an infant, and no one has ever said anything about it. I doubt anyone even noticed! Seriously, try not to stress about it. You'll be fine!

[pammysue]

It may seem like there is an issue with BFing on planes because that is all you hear about. No one ever posts a thread about how they just got off a 2 hour flight and no one said anything about them BFing, KWIM?

I have nursed DS on planes many times and have only gotten positive responses. Don't worry, be confident and do what's best for your child.

[kalisis]

I defer to Jake on this, since she has the JD, but it is my understanding that the laws of the state from which you take off are what apply. That is why when you fly to Europe, you have to be 21 to drink, but when you come from Europe to the States, you only have to be 18 (yes this is country to country, but absent any federal law, this is what seems to make the most sense when flying from state to state within the US). And in my extensive research on this as an organizer of the Delta Nurse-Ins, this is the best conclusion we have come to.

I think one of the best things you can do is not be nervous and be polite while standing up for your rights. FWIW, I have flown EVERY MONTH for the past 6 years. I have nursed both my son and my daughter in those 6 years on various airlines and never once had a problem. I don't make a lot of eye contact, which helps keep people from making comments and the couple of times I've been handed a blanket, I used it to cover our legs or just put it into the seat pocket.

Good luck, I am sure you will be fine.

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by Beene

Hi mamas,

I will be traveling alone with DS (6 mo.) and will need to nurse him. He hates having his face covered and won't nurse that way. Since I am alone and he is on my lap, there will likely be someone sitting right next to me. What should I expect and what are my rights?

Thanks!

P.S. I just called the airline and am fumed and confused. She said this exactly: "We do not have any policies against breastfeeding, but as you know, when in public, you will need to cover up with a blanket so you are not exposing yourself."
That stinks....He may not even eat this way....

I'd call back and see if you got the same answer. If you did I'd ask, "Is that your personal opinion or airline policy?" I'm guessing it is not airline policy, if it is I'd ask to speak to a manager and raise a little $@*% (politely) and even consider canceling my ticket (but that's just me)

Really though I'd advise you to just nurse as usual and politely refuse any offers of covers.

[xelakann]

1. Just nurse as you normally would. I have flown with my son on several airlines and have not had one neg comment or even dirty looks.

2. In terms of the the "law" on an airline. In flight it goes by the the state you are flying over at the time of the incident. (I was a flight attendant for 4 years and that is how it was when I worked for the airline... I don't think that has changed).

[Super~Single~Mama]

What airline are you flying? If its JetBlue ask for a bulkhead! I got a bulkhead when my son was 5mo on JetBlue and the flight attendants offered me water bottles every time I nursed, were overly nice really and made sure that we were both very happy. They even made a rattle with a few of the plastic wings and a cleaned out water bottle. They were GREAT - I'll be flying with them again for sure.

[marrymeflyfree]

Originally Posted by pammysue

It may seem like there is an issue with BFing on planes because that is all you hear about. No one ever posts a thread about how they just got off a 2 hour flight and no one said anything about them BFing, KWIM?

:


Nearly all the flights I work have at least one BF'ing mom on board. In 10 years as a FA, I've yet to have a coworker or passenger complain or make a the slightest fuss about it. As a frequently traveling mom myself, I nurse often when flying and make no changes to our habits or routines, and have yet to have an issue.

Do what you need and want to do, and don't stress about it. Those issues that make the news are, like any other incident that happens on the ground, few and far between. 99.9999% of the time, there is no problem. If you are uncomfortable or unsure, try to check in at the airport as early as you can and request that you be seated next to an empty seat if there are any on board. It can be difficult to get into a comfortable position with the babe if there happens to be a big, broad-shouldered person next to you - not to mention the close quarters.

[marrymeflyfree]

Originally Posted by xelakann

2. In terms of the the "law" on an airline. In flight it goes by the the state you are flying over at the time of the incident.

I've never heard of that....! Might be tough if the FAs haven't asked the pilots exactly what state one is over at the time of an incident, or if an incident spans several states, or if one is over an ocean or other country. ??

Where I work, we are bound by the laws of the state in which we are headquartered for most issues.