Flying to Tuscon - what are my rights?

[francesmama]

Hi - where I live in Canada is super breastfeeding friendly. The right to NIP is protected by law, everyone I know either breastfeeds or supports breastfeeding ... I'm not used to being concerned about NIP at all.

I am planning a vacation to Tuscon in the spring. I'm concerned about 1) NIP on planes - what are my rights here? and 2) the NIP culture in Tuscon as well as I guess my rights by law in Arizona. Can anyone provide some helpful info? I have to confess that I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing, especially flying - seems to be an issue in the US from what I've read.

[Serendipity]

Hello, I live in Tucson!

I don't have experience flying and nursing, I'd recommend posting in the Utah, AZ section of finding your tribe.

[frontierpsych]

NIP is protected in AZ just like it is in Canada. FWIW I have nursed my son on flights in and out of Tucson, and it has never been an issue.

[annekh23]

There is a great webpage on flying with children, the owner posts often in the family safety forum on here, I don't have time to look now, but search for "flying with kids" and you'll probably find it.

She has contacted several airlines to see if they have a breastfeeding policy, or if they provide any training to cabin crew on dealing with any issues that arise.

There is quite a range, from if the cabin crew see you they will ask you to cover up, through to if another passenger complains they will attempt to reseat that passenger and not bother you at all.

One good piece of advice is to not nurse until you are off the ground, they can't chuck you off the plane at that point and no pilot is going to reroute and land to get you chucked off!

[sarahtdubb]

I live in Tucson, too! I don't actually know what laws are on the books, but wanted to ease your fears that I have flown in and out of Tucson about a kabillion times and spent most of those flights breastfeeding my son, and have never ever had a problem. I think most flight attendants probably prefer it to a screaming kid. I have also been NIPing here for my son's life--he is now 2 1/2, and have never even gotten a sideways look about it. Tucson is a pretty liberal town, so I wouldn't be too worried.

[Umpqua]

I flew across the country (CT to OR with 2 layovers) last spring and nursed my younger DS in the airports and on the plan. No one said a word to me, and I really think it helped his ears adjust to the air pressure change since he didn't complain at all about takeoff and landing. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

[marrymeflyfree]

Don't stress too much about nursing on the plane...remember that the extremely rare stories we hear about in the news are just that: rare. As a flight attendant, I've encountered hundreds of nursing pairs in the air, and never once had a passenger or fellow crew member complain or comment negatively. I've nursed my own kids dozens of times on board without so much as a second glance. For the majority of experienced FAs, the sight of a nursing mom and babe is a normal one.

FWIW, the airline I work for doesn't have any policies specifically protecting nursing mothers, but there certainly aren't any policies requiring anything special (ie covering up, etc) either. If you are really concerned with it, you could look up the laws governing the state where the airline is headquartered as the airline, in most cases, will be bound by the laws in that state.

[khaoskat]

With some of the new rules that are going into effect after the December attempt, you may not be able to use a cover up in the plane or a blanket, especially for shorter flights in the US

[annekh23]

ooh, that's interesting, I'd heard the news, but hadn't connected it as a possible bonus to nursing mothers! If anyone complains, you could easily roll your eyes and say you thought you weren't allowed to use a blanket!

[Mama2Rio]

i've bf on flights from NY to AZ (i live in az) with no problem... also, some towns in az have laws protecting the mother where if a business is bantering you for NIP, they can get a fine!

[khaoskat]

Originally Posted by annekh23

ooh, that's interesting, I'd heard the news, but hadn't connected it as a possible bonus to nursing mothers! If anyone complains, you could easily roll your eyes and say you thought you weren't allowed to use a blanket!

Yea, some of these are making me wonder if we will be able to have hand held infants much longer on flights (not that I would do that, I usually purchase a seat for a child under the age of 2 for safety reasons). I mean they are talking about banning books, DVD players, computers, etc in the last I believe hour of the flight.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

Originally Posted by khaoskat

With some of the new rules that are going into effect after the December attempt, you may not be able to use a cover up in the plane or a blanket, especially for shorter flights in the US

Originally Posted by khaoskat

Yea, some of these are making me wonder if we will be able to have hand held infants much longer on flights (not that I would do that, I usually purchase a seat for a child under the age of 2 for safety reasons). I mean they are talking about banning books, DVD players, computers, etc in the last I believe hour of the flight.

I've had the same thoughts, khaoskat.

[earthmommy2]

I didn't read all the other posts, but before I travel I always call the airline, I want to be sure I know the companies' stand...so I can be prepared. Jet Blue was a very BF friendly airline I traveled on, one flight attendent even high fived me as she walked by! lol

[octobermom]

I lived in Tucson ( we moved there when our DD was 7 months and moved when shes was 2) I still live in AZ. Tucson if very BF friendly I never had any issues NIP as far as the city was concerned. I also flew at least once a year from Tucson to TX and never had any issues nursing on the plane or in an airport if needed.

Deanna

[babygirlsmama]

Just a thought about the flight. I haven't flown with my babygirl yet, but I have thought of doing this when I do.

When you get to the gate, you could ask the gate attendant whether you are sitting next to a woman, and if not, to see if they can change your seat....or maybe there is even an empty row where they can put you. I would probably feel better nursing next to a stranger who was a woman than a stranger who was a man.

[frontierpsych]

I hadn't thought of that, lol! I have sat next to male strangers on planes and BF practically in their lap without incident.