Southwest Airlines BFing policy

[CorbinsMama]

Can anyone tell me where I would find Southwest Airline's BFing policy? I can't find anything on their website, and when I try to Google it, all that comes up are decency issues like that of the scantily clad woman they booted off.

What I'm looking for is something straight from Southwest themselves so I can print it out and carry it with me in case I am harassed when flying next month.

Thanks!

[alegna]

I'm sure they have no policy.

I would think they don't need one. Clearly my child has right to nurse

-Angela

[CorbinsMama]

I know my child has a right to nurse, but I'm not going to argue that point with some clueless flight attendant. Because if I have to argue, I'm gonna get tossed off that plane! :

[alegna]

Oh, I get it- but if you get a clueless flight attendant who doesn't want you to breastfeed your going to either have to go along or get kicked off... that's just the way it works.

I have flown a number of times with dd and ALWAYS nursed her (last one she was nearly 3 yrs old)

I have NEVER had even one comment.

good luck with your trip!

-Angela

[nicolebeth]

I've had no problems with nursing on Southwest--most recently, we flew in November. DS just turned 2 1/2. I had no problems nursing on Southwest when DD (now, 5 1/2) was that age and nursing.

I would anticipate that you'll have no problems. Safe travels!

[sweetfeet]

FWIW, I flew SW this past July with my then 9 month old. He nursed in the terminal while standing in line and from the minute I buckled up until I unbuckled at our destination. The FA were very good to us and smiled every time they walked by.

[moderngal]

SW was extremely accommodating to us- and my DS was over a year and nursed almost the entire flight. I was offered extra pillows and received several positive comments from the FAs.

[mommymaemae]

very few organizations have a formal bfing policy, let alone one you can find on a website. The odds are in your favor of going unharrassed, but if you are feeling unsure, track down the laws in both the state you are flying out of and the state you are flying into and take copies of those with you.

[Jessmomto2]

I also have never had an issue with nursing on a Southwest flight. We just recently traveled Southwest and though he didn't nurse this flight I don't think it would have been a problem. He did nurse on several flights just before his second birthday and nobody said anything one way or another.

[marfmom]

I've never had a problem with SWA. I practically got a standing ovation last month when my 3 yr old was screaming from earpain. Captain turned off the seatbelt sign I took him out of his car seat and he nursed right to sleep. I just hope Qantas is as understanding (we're flying to Australia next week)

[CorbinsMama]

nak

thanks, everyone. i want to have something in writing, so i guess i'll at least print the laws of connecticut and arizona. i'm glad to hear such positive experiences with swa. i nursed ds on several flights with no problems when he was a baby, but in light of other people having problems lately, i just want to be prepared.

[jennylou]

I've had no problems nursing DD on SW.

[chandasz]

I have never had any issues nursing on any planes. We have flown a lot. I have nursed both kids inflight (not at the same time though. LOL). I have nursed infants and over 2 y.o's on flights.

Most people don't seem to notice although I've had an uncomfortable seeming business man or 2 sit next to me. LOL

[georgiegirl1974]

I don't think you need to worry. I've flown with my 20 mo old DD on 12 round trips (3 of which were in the past two months), and I've never had a problem. The only thing that the flight attendant has said to me (when DD was a toddler) is that they would like for her to be sitting up on my lap for take-off and landing for safety purposes. However, I just nurse her and I've never had a probem.

[KirstenMary]

CT???? You're golden. CT has GREAT laws!

[CorbinsMama]

Originally Posted by KirstenMary

CT???? You're golden. CT has GREAT laws!

don't i know it! it's the arizona part i'm worried about.

[pantufla]

My understanding is that they don't have a written policy about things like this because they like to give their flight attandants a lot of leeway in dealing with specific situations.

You should be fine. I've nursed on plenty of SWA flights, starting when DS#1 was 5 weeks old, and I've never had a problem with it.

[amey]

Originally Posted by CorbinsMama

don't i know it! it's the arizona part i'm worried about.

I've flown in and out of Phoenix MANY times since we moved here in 2001, and we almost always fly with SWA. I've nursed kids up to age 3.5 on their flights with no complaints ever about nursing.

[bullfrog]

You should also look up the laws for the states you are flying over. I was told that technically those are the laws they have to abide by.

As far as worrying about it goes - I don't think you're wrong to do so. The reason most women are harassed (when they are harassed) is because the person harassing them don't know the laws. Most airlines don't have policies - so I wouldn't bother looking for one.

I know that Emily Gillette (the mom kicked off the Delta flight) is working to get airlines to impliment policies.

Your best bet is to come armed with the printed laws - keep them in your carry on luggage and if you need them you'll have them.

[amey]

Originally Posted by bullfrog

You should also look up the laws for the states you are flying over. I was told that technically those are the laws they have to abide by.

Why not Federal laws because it's all interstate stuff?

As if there's a Federal Breastfeeding policy...