nursing on a plane!

[dachshund mom]

We're taking a trip this summer with DD who will be 16mo. I thought it would be so smart to fly early in the am so DD could nurse to sleep and hopefully sleep the whole flight. Now I'm starting to get worried about someone complaining and there being a confrontation and people throwing blankets over us... Please tell me it'll be ok.

[Magali]

Ds and I have flown 4 times with him as a nursing toddler and nobody looked at us or commented on it.

[npl]

On the plane is easier than in most places - for the most part, no-one is walking right in front of you (unless you have an aisle seat). I've nursed on planes lots, and I don't think anyone has noticed that I'm nursing.

[dianakaye]

It'll be o.k. I nursed my LO on several planes and never had a confrontation. That is, unless you count the people congratulating me on breastfeeding. One mom said "I breastfed all of my babies and loved it. You're doing a great thing for your baby". Really all you need to do is be comfortable with it and others will probably follow your lead. If somebody offers you a blanket, just be calm and composed and let them know you're just fine, thanks. I think the first time I covered up because I was so new to nursing and embarrassed about how long it took me to latch, but after I got the hang of the latching thing I doubt anybody even knew what I was doing besides the person right next to me. I did warn the lady next to me what I was about to do and she said, "Oh, I nursed my little one, It's totally normal for me".

[dachshund mom]

I'm particularly worried about the person sitting in our row with us. Is it better to take the window or aisle? I though aisle in case DD needs to walk so we won't have to climb over someone, and to have more room since she's a lap baby.

[pbjmama]

It will be okay I've nursed both my kids on over 25 flights and never had a comment. I prefer window since our flights are usually under 2 hours.

[ps4624]

I just flew with my DD to New England and nursed her the whole way. I think the window seat is best - you have a bit more room to maneuver. I wore a tank top under my shirt to keep by jiggly belly out of view, but other than that, it was no big deal. If anyone has issues offer them a choice - they can hear a baby crying the entire flight, or you can nurse your baby. Seems like an easy choice to me!

[alegna]

IME nursing on a plane is no big deal. Just did it with my BIG two year old. It was dh next to us, but it was really no problem at all.

-Angela

[momasana]

It will be just fine.

I have nursed on a plane many times, all the way up until my DS was 2.5. This last trip he didn't ask, but I would have if he needed it.

I have found the window seat to be the easiest because you can kind of turn away from whomever you are seated next to (if it is a stranger) in case you feel like you need a little extra privacy. A good nursing top helps, too.

Like the other posters, I have only had positive comments or warm, supportive looks. I think most people are happy to be sitting near a quiet baby, regardless of what is in their mouth.

[Quinalla]

I'd take the window seat as you will have a little more privacy and don't have to worry about your elbow/knee getting whacked if it is out in the aisle. You actually have more room in a window seat if you aren't counting being able to sometimes put your body out into the aisle. And while I am sure there is the rare exception, most people are quite happy about anything you do on a plane that helps keep a child happy

[kiwiva]

Don't worry! I've nursed on a plane a bunch of times. Window seat is best, and if your DH is with you in the middle seat really noone will know. I tended to have a scarf with me so I could drape it over the top of my chest (NOT over the baby) just in case she wanted to pop off at the exact moment someone happened to be looking over and down. But really noone noticed (including the aisle seat person) and since it made take off and landing so comfy for her people were really surprised when I stood up after the flight with a baby!

[justKate]

Originally Posted by momasana

Like the other posters, I have only had positive comments or warm, supportive looks. I think most people are happy to be sitting near a quiet baby, regardless of what is in their mouth.

[RunningMama]

I've nursed ds on a plane cross country a few months ago, and we did not get any comments or stares. Most ppl traveling really mind their own business, or don't even notice. No worries!

[mokey4]

I just flew 5 hrs each way alone with my 15 month old on a full flight, and nursed a whole lot. The couple sitting next to me were elderly grandparents on both flights, and neither commented on my breastfeeding at all though it was fairly obvious that I was doing it (DD is not at all discreet). I think at one point the woman next to me started to say something to me or DD and then said, "Oh I see that you're busy!" She seemed maybe a trifle uneasy, but later on hid it well. I think it helped that I've decided that I'm just not going to care what other people think- giving DD free access to my boobs kept her happy for the whole flight. At the end of the flight I got a lot of compliments on what a "good baby" I have, she didn't cry once! Of course she didn't cry, she had the best food in the house!

[MaddieMay]

I have flown on almost every airline in the United States and many international airlines and not a single time has anyone said a word to me. I've had some stares, but I think most people prefer a quiet baby to a screaming one. I do cover, but moreso because I am more comfortable that way and DS doesn't pop on and off so much because there's not as much to see.

[LorenaAZ]

I`ve been really lucky so far. I`ve gotten breastfeeding friendly women, grandparents, and men lactivists! lol There`s never been a problem and we have flown 9 times since my daughter was born. She`s walking now at 16 months and no complaints yet. Although....there was one guy who I think was allergic to kids that sat next to us once, but he didn´t say a word to me.

I always take the isle seat now because one time my DD puked and it got 4 people (herself, me, the lady to my right, and the lady to my left) instead of just 1 if I would have been able to point her to the isle. It`s also easier to take them for a diaper change, and let them walk.

Enjoy your trip!

[ncbelle]

I just flew with my 17 month old and nursed - no problems!

[Baby_Cakes]

Nursing on a plane is like, the BEST toddler/baby calming mechanism ever. It's awesome for takeoff and for landing, it keeps them contained, quiet. I've been told on every flight that DD is "so quiet," or people even say they didn't know there was a baby in the row. It's great b/c at any sign of fuss, just pop them on. You're thinking correctly, don't worry!