Nervous about BF on a flight

[hparsh]

I'm not sure where to post this, so I hope this is the right forum. I fly from Detroit to Los Angeles tomorrow, and I have heard stories about women being asked to stop nursing or cover up on a flight, and to be honest I don't know the rules or my rights.

Can someone help me out? I want to be prepared in case this happens. Is it governed by the state I am leaving from, or is it different when you are in the air?

It's a 5-hour flight, and I KNOW DS will be nursing at least several times. It not only nourishes him, it comforts him.

[Kappa]

I'm not sure about the airline's policies or anything like that, but I've nursed my baby on 2 flights, sitting next to men who I just met, slightly exposed and I never heard a peep out of anyone. I think you should call the airline to specifically ask about their policy, and go about getting a printed copy if you want to be sure you are protected. Your baby will need to nurse several times for comfort, especially during take off and landing. Maybe you can let the flight attendant know, if you are worried, that you will be nursing and she can situate you so that you can nurse in peace if anyone complains, maybe put you in a row by yourself. My baby was so quiet during the flights, I had several passengers ask me what I did, and I told everyone I just nursed him. The more they know that is what is keeping the baby comfy and quiet, the more they will want you to do it.

[nummies]

I just flew on Southwest with a 14 month old nursling. He nursed throughout the flight and I had no problems. I don't really think anyone even knew that he was nursing. The way that the seats were set up it was really hard to see other passengers and I think they just thought I was holding him.

Anyway, if you really want to, you could call the airline and ask them. But honestly, you should be just fine. Good luck!

[hparsh]

Originally Posted by Kappa

I'm not sure about the airline's policies or anything like that, but I've nursed my baby on 2 flights, sitting next to men who I just met, slightly exposed and I never heard a peep out of anyone. I think you should call the airline to specifically ask about their policy, and go about getting a printed copy if you want to be sure you are protected. Your baby will need to nurse several times for comfort, especially during take off and landing. Maybe you can let the flight attendant know, if you are worried, that you will be nursing and she can situate you so that you can nurse in peace if anyone complains, maybe put you in a row by yourself. My baby was so quiet during the flights, I had several passengers ask me what I did, and I told everyone I just nursed him. The more they know that is what is keeping the baby comfy and quiet, the more they will want you to do it.

Thanks, I think I will call the airline and check their policy. Is it up to the airline to decide though, or am I protected by law?

I think it's great you haven't had problems, and I think the majority of women probably don't, but I've heard horror stories, and I just want to be prepared.

I don't mean any offense, but why should I have to go hide in a row with the baby? I don't just whip my breast out when I nurse. I do cover up most of the time, but DS pops on and off and sometimes hates the blanket. I don't think I should have to find a row in the back to hide to nurse, KWIM.

[nicolebeth]

I haven't had any problems--the only time anything was mentioned was that kids need to be buckled for take-off (once they're two). I nursed 3-year-old DS no problem on Southwest just last month. He's more demanding, and doesn't fit as well on my lap between DD on one side and the carseat on the other. Also, he gets frustrated being in the seat--and not nursing--when the seatbelt sign is on...which seems to be often (though, if the flight attendants are walking around, I'll take him out).

Anyway, I never had problems with DD or DS nursing on airplanes--not from flight attendants or passengers--and we've flown on Southwest, United, American, and Jet Blue. We don't sit next to anyone we don't know, which might help.

[DisplacedYooper]

Originally Posted by hparsh

I don't mean any offense, but why should I have to go hide in a row with the baby? I don't just whip my breast out when I nurse. I do cover up most of the time, but DS pops on and off and sometimes hates the blanket. I don't think I should have to find a row in the back to hide to nurse, KWIM.

My guess is that you might want your own row not for hiding's sake, but rather for your comfort! Airplane seats are *narrow* and you don't realize how narrow until you're apologising to the complete stranger next to you because your child is kicking while nursing (mine does it ALL THE TIME! ) Having nursed on many flights over the last 18 months, having a whole row (or even an empty seat next to you) is really convenient for speading out baby amusements, doing a quick diaper change, and having space for little feet and heads.

One thing the flight attendent will probably not let you do is wear your baby during takeoff and landing. This is apparently an FAA regulation and failing to comply could potentially get you thrown off the plane. I've had this mentioned several times while DS was little (each time I played dumb! He doesn't want to be worn sitting down any more though) but I have NEVER had any problem with nursing! My guess is that with the recent bad publicity, most airlines are doing their best to accomodate nursing mamas.

I am not usually especially discreet but I think that while you are on a plane, it can't hurt to take a few extra measures. We often say that if a person is uncomfortable with nursing, that they should remove themselves from the situation, but that just isn't possible on a plane. So I usually do my best to keep my shirt pulled down (at least covering the breast that's *not* getting used at the moment...) and try to keep pop offs to a minimum. Hopefully I leave a good impression for babies on planes, which many people seem to hate irrationally...

[Mosaic]

Agreed... if anything, the recent "horror stories" have made airline attendants more aware of a mother's right to nurse. 24mo DD has been on 22 planes and never once has anyone given me a hard time or a dirty look either in the plane or in the airport.

[PassionateWriter]

what airline? Delta has a policy on their website. print it out. of the other flights.

or email the airline and get a response and take that w/ you.

[hparsh]

Originally Posted by DisplacedYooper

My guess is that you might want your own row not for hiding's sake, but rather for your comfort! Airplane seats are *narrow* and you don't realize how narrow until you're apologising to the complete stranger next to you because your child is kicking while nursing (mine does it ALL THE TIME! ) Having nursed on many flights over the last 18 months, having a whole row (or even an empty seat next to you) is really convenient for speading out baby amusements, doing a quick diaper change, and having space for little feet and heads.

One thing the flight attendent will probably not let you do is wear your baby during takeoff and landing. This is apparently an FAA regulation and failing to comply could potentially get you thrown off the plane. I've had this mentioned several times while DS was little (each time I played dumb! He doesn't want to be worn sitting down any more though) but I have NEVER had any problem with nursing! My guess is that with the recent bad publicity, most airlines are doing their best to accomodate nursing mamas.

I am not usually especially discreet but I think that while you are on a plane, it can't hurt to take a few extra measures. We often say that if a person is uncomfortable with nursing, that they should remove themselves from the situation, but that just isn't possible on a plane. So I usually do my best to keep my shirt pulled down (at least covering the breast that's *not* getting used at the moment...) and try to keep pop offs to a minimum. Hopefully I leave a good impression for babies on planes, which many people seem to hate irrationally...

That makes sense. Hopefully the flight is not full and I can spread out some.

I will be taking DS on with an Ergo carrier. Will they make me take him out and strap him in my lap?

Thanks everyone! I don't necessarily expect any problems but wanted to be prepared just in case.

[PGNPORTLAND]

I just wanted to add that I have flown with my daughter 13 times (she was 2 years old on the last flight) nursing "all the way". I have never had a problem except for one flight attendant asking me "Why are you so comfortable nursing like that without a blanket?". Other than that, it's just been positive comments or people not noticing at all except to say, at the end of the flight, "Oh, I didnt' even realize there was a baby on board. She was so good!" (because we all know crying babies are "bad")


I have always flown Continental.

[hparsh]

Originally Posted by PassionateWriter

what airline? Delta has a policy on their website. print it out. of the other flights.

or email the airline and get a response and take that w/ you.

Spirit Airlines. I will call to find out their policy. I guess I really wanted to know if LEGALLY they could ask me to cover up or stop BF.

[PGNPORTLAND]

Originally Posted by hparsh

That makes sense. Hopefully the flight is not full and I can spread out some.

I will be taking DS on with an Ergo carrier. Will they make me take him out and strap him in my lap?

Thanks everyone! I don't necessarily expect any problems but wanted to be prepared just in case.

They ususally asked me to take her out of the ergo for the takeoff and landing. Than I would hold her in my lap and nurse her. The ergo was great for the airport and also for walking up and down the aisle during the flight and doing the whole bouncing and singing thing to get her to sleep. Also you can wear her in there if you have to use the bathroom as long as you have mastered the "lift the Ergo, unbutton you pants" trick. Or just wear sweats.

I think the most important tip I can give is just to have a relaxed and calm attitude throughout the whole thing. Your baby will feel that and feel relaxed and the people around you will too. Try to smile and have fun with your baby on the flight. I have learned that a flight with an infant or toddler can be fun because there are no other distractions for you (like laundry, dishes, work) so you can concentrate on enjoying your child and they really pick up on that.

You will do just fine!

How old is your baby?

[hparsh]

Originally Posted by PGNPORTLAND

They ususally asked me to take her out of the ergo for the takeoff and landing. Than I would hold her in my lap and nurse her. The ergo was great for the airport and also for walking up and down the aisle during the flight and doing the whole bouncing and singing thing to get her to sleep. Also you can wear her in there if you have to use the bathroom as long as you have mastered the "lift the Ergo, unbutton you pants" trick. Or just wear sweats.

I think the most important tip I can give is just to have a relaxed and calm attitude throughout the whole thing. Your baby will feel that and feel relaxed and the people around you will too. Try to smile and have fun with your baby on the flight. I have learned that a flight with an infant or toddler can be fun because there are no other distractions for you (like laundry, dishes, work) so you can concentrate on enjoying your child and they really pick up on that.

You will do just fine!

How old is your baby?

Thanks for the words of encouragement! DS is just shy of 7 months.

LOL at the Ergo "lift" maneuver. I've pretty much mastered that. When LO falls asleep, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

I can't wait to take the week off to spend with DS. I work during the week, so it will be SO nice to give him 100% of my time on the flight AND on our trip. :

[NorthernPixie]

DD and I have flown several times, sometimes just us and sometimes with DH too. If you can, check in at the gate early to see if they have an empty seat they can seat you next to -- not to hide but so you just have more room, as a pp said. The ONLY time I didn't have an empty seat next to me (even if the airline people had to move several others to accommodate me!!) my then-4.5 month old dd kept kicking the lady next to us, who said don't worry about it, she nursed her 4 kids and loved it and completely understood.

We've flown US Airways, Air Canada, and Westjet. I got different 'rules' on each one. So play dumb and do what you want until someone tells you differently about what you 'can' and 'can't' do with your baby on take-off and landing. One flight attendant told me nursing was best and to go for it -- another told me it wasn't permitted and I had to hold her upright. They ALL said though not to strap her into the seatbelt, and that I couldn't have her in my front carrier or sling. Oh well.

I also didn't use the tiny little slab they call a change table in the bathroom, and used the convenient empty seat next to me to change her. I would rather apologize afterwards than ask and be told no. I doubt anyone even noticed (mind you they were all just pee, no smelly poo to give us away

...and I imagine the 'peeing-with-Ergo' manoeuvre is quite similar in style and function to the 'peeing-with-Beco' menoeuvre that I have mastered!

Good luck! Oh one more thing - try to keep whatever you're using for a carry-on/diaper bag small enough to fit under the seat in front of you so you don't have to try to struggle with getting anything from the overhead bins.

[glendora]

I had no trouble with American a few months ago. I used a sling to cover up.

[KittyKat]

My hubby just flew Delta on a business trip to/from Tampa, FL.

He told me on the way back there was a baby who was fussy a bit. The mom was apologizing a bit, but DH was just like "Hey, I have five of my own at home, you do what you have to do."

No one said anything negative to her, though DH reported the flight attendant did stare a bit. Dh said he wished she would have just moved along about her duties because yeah, standing in the aisle and gawking isn't going to make her nervous or attract attention to her at all...

I'm sure you'll be fine. There are many mamas traveling with babies, and only a few have severe negative experiences. Most have peaceful and relatively uneventful flights.

[marrymeflyfree]

Hiya!

I'm a flight attendant and want to encourage you to nurse without hesitation. It is sooo common anymore that I would be extremely surprised if you were asked to cover up or stop. I've been in my job nearly 10 years now, and have yet to work with a fellow FA who was weird about a nursing mother....I honestly think the few incidents that have been in the news are extremely rare occurances.

FWIW, I don't recall off-hand if my airline specifically has a policy protecting nursing moms (we are visiting family and my manuals are at home), but I can assure you that we don't have any policies that would inhibit it - and I have to assume that no other US airline does either.

Since becoming a nursing mom myself and reading several threads about others who are concerned about it, I've decided to get a pin with the BF symbol to wear on my apron when my maternity leave is up as encouragement to others. I never realized that moms might be concerned about it. Rest assured that you guys are welcome to nurse as you wish on any of my flights!

[VeganMamaRed]

I just flew Delta with my 3 year old nursing all the way. Not only did no one comment about the nursing, they also didn't say anything when he was nursing on my lap during landings because he was asleep. Technically he should have been in his carseat since he is 3 and we had to buy him a seat, but no one cared. That being said, I was in a row alone with him and my daughter so we didn't have any immediete neighbors to complain about it.

[racie0417]

I have nursed DS on every flight I ever took with him (from UK to Germany and back, from UK to US and back, and two weeks ago wwhen we moved from the UK back to the US). I generally nurse about every 40-60 minutes on a flight, sometimes more often. On each flight, I wore a nursing tank so it was easier to nurse without exposing skin. During customs lines, I nurse in a mei tai. From my experience no one even noticed I was ever nursing, except for 2 women who had nursed their children.

[didkisa]

Originally Posted by PGNPORTLAND

Other than that, it's just been positive comments or people not noticing at all except to say, at the end of the flight, "Oh, I didnt' even realize there was a baby on board. She was so good!" (because we all know crying babies are "bad")

Me, too!