Airline breastfeeding policies and airline breastfeedng incidents

[annie_noah]

I have been working on a series of articles on breastfeeding on airplanes and thought I would pass along the links in case they are of interest to anyone here:

When breastfeeding is a safety hazard: Discussion of an odd breastfeeding policy.

Friendly skies? Not always for breastfeeding mothers: A summary of incidents where mothers have been told to stop breastfeeding, to cover up, have been kicked off of or not allowed on planes for breastfeeding or for carrying breastmilk, or otherwise humiliated for doing what is normal and natural.

Cover up! Airline breastfeeding policies: A post detailing the breastfeeding policies of major airlines and showing that we still have a long way to go. Interestingly my blog stats tell me that people from WestJet and Transport Canada have been checking out the post...not sure if that is a good sign or a bad sign!

Just added! Tips for Breastfeeding on a Plane: Based on at least 12 flights with nurslings, I provides some tips for breastfeeding moms to help them prepare for and survive a flight with a nursling, including what to do if a confrontation happens.

[Swan3]

Great links! The first article made me !!!!

I hope she follows this up with action.

[Swan3]

I just thought of a good response when being "offered" a blanket. Throw it back and say, "I already have one, thanks!"

[*MamaJen*]

Hey, that's really good work. It's nice having all the airline incidents compiled into one group.
You should forward those links to --somebody help me out here, what's that group that collects reports of breastfeeding discrimination? I can't remember. Is it First Right or something like that?

[clutterbug]

Excellent!

Re: the safety hazard thing. I have no idea what Air Canada's policy is, but I have been told on their flights that I can't nurse during takeoff and landing because I have to hold baby upright against my chest/on my shoulder (snuggle hold, basically) for safety. Same with if there is turbulence. I guess cause you have a better grip on baby that way? I have nursed DS on the descent anyway, though, and no-one's ever said anything to me (that just might be luck of the draw, though - I have had some very crabby flight attendants when flying with DS, and some very nice ones!).

The other thing that gets me about travelling with babes on planes...the 'safe' hold is up against my chest, i.e. the same way baby rides in an Ergo or Mei Tei or wrap, but I am not allowed to wear him in it. Seems like that would be even safer than relying on my arms...?

[frontierpsych]

If I was offered one of those blankets while nursing I'd probably be like "Oh, thanks, my legs are COLD!" and toss it over my lap, lol! I wonder if they'd keep trying to hand you more blankets...

[annie_noah]

Originally Posted by *MamaJen*

You should forward those links to --somebody help me out here, what's that group that collects reports of breastfeeding discrimination? I can't remember. Is it First Right or something like that?

I did, thanks! I have been corresponding with them about an upcoming post that I'm working on with tips on air travel for breastfeeding mothers.

Originally Posted by bluepetals

Excellent!
Re: the safety hazard thing. I have no idea what Air Canada's policy is, but I have been told on their flights that I can't nurse during takeoff and landing because I have to hold baby upright against my chest/on my shoulder (snuggle hold, basically) for safety. Same with if there is turbulence. I guess cause you have a better grip on baby that way? I have nursed DS on the descent anyway, though, and no-one's ever said anything to me (that just might be luck of the draw, though - I have had some very crabby flight attendants when flying with DS, and some very nice ones!).

Did you read the link with the airline breastfeeding policies? I summarized Air Canada's policy there and they told me that they encourage mothers to BF, including during take-off and landing.

Air Transat mentioned that the upright holding position was required during take-off and landing, but then gave me a link to a page on Transport Canada's Web site that talked about the holding position during emergencies. So I wrote back to clarify whether (a) the position they were telling me about really applies during take-off and landing or just during emergencies and (b) whether I am welcome to BF my baby at that time if I can BF her in that position. I haven't heard back yet, but I'll update my post with the new info if/when I do hear back from them.

[annie_noah]

Originally Posted by Swan3

Great links! The first article made me !!!!

I hope she follows this up with action.

She did - she worked with FirstRight to write a letter to them. There is a link in the post to the original discussion, where she has also provided updates on the response from the company.

[mamajake]

Good to see you here. I have been following your blog posts on airline policies with interest.

A note on the TSA and breastmilk - it seems that the policy change in August of 2007 actually changed practice. I haven't heard of a single case of pumped milk dumping by the TSA since the new policy went into effect removing the limitation on amount of milk that can be carried as well as the ridiculous packaging requirement.

[AmyJayne19]

i was giving one of those dirty blankets on a westjet flight last summer. just before or just after takeoff, one of the flight attendents just handed to me when i was nursing my then 5 month old ds. i asked what it was for and she said for my own comfort. was i ever pissed. for my comfort my ass, i was quite comfortable nursing my ds as i was. if i wanted a blanket, i had one in my bag. i was also wearing 2 shirts at the time as i was still unsure about nip.

[milkeriffic mama]

I really find the majority of the policies unacceptable. As folks noted in the comments to the article (it is so GREAT that you compiled this info, BTW), the policies do not really provide clear guidance as to what flight attendants should be telling other passengers that do complain. Just as in a restaurant, I believe the concerns should be addressed with the complainant and without harrassing the nursing mother. So what can we do to get airlines to think about changing their policies?

[mamajake]

Originally Posted by milkeriffic mama

I really find the majority of the policies unacceptable. As folks noted in the comments to the article (it is so GREAT that you compiled this info, BTW), the policies do not really provide clear guidance as to what flight attendants should be telling other passengers that do complain. Just as in a restaurant, I believe the concerns should be addressed with the complainant and without harrassing the nursing mother. So what can we do to get airlines to think about changing their policies?

I agree. It appears only Quantas welcomes breastfeeding.

Important to remember that state law applies while the plane is on the ground in the U.S. In most states currently that won't help much but this is one legal route to change airline practice - though the proverbial jury is still out on whether Delta will be held accountable in Vermont. As for protecting women while the plane is in the air, we need legislation (federal) or litigation to clarify what law applies.

[star*mora]

read all the articles with great interest. wow, thanks for digging in and coming up with the info on airline policies!

[annie_noah]

In Canada, airlines are federally regulated. Our federal human rights legislation in theory covers the right to breastfeed, although it isn't spelled out specifically. However, I think if there ever was a federal case, that the judge would probably look at jurisprudence from Ontario cases which found that it was discriminatory to ask a woman to cover up or to move while breastfeeding.

Theoretically all it would take is for one case to go to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and then we would all be protected. However, that still doesn't mean that noone will ever screw up and do something that goes against the law. And the unfortunate thing is that when you are in a plane, you can't just walk away and then file a complaint later. You are stuck there until the plane lands again.

Originally Posted by mamajake

The proverbial jury is still out on whether Delta will be held accountable in Vermont.

I thought they found Freedom Airlines responsible, but absolved Delta of any responsibility (or is there an appeal or something that I'm not aware of?).

Now, the commission's findings were against Freedom Airlines only-- not Delta-- because the flight attendant was a Freedom employee.

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp...menu183_15_2_3

[Janice in Canada]

Annie Noah

I didn't read the whole thread but wanted to mention a few things-

1.) The woman in the West Jet incident filed her complaint federally - maybe you already know that. So there is a complaint in the works. I didn't realize there even was a FEDERAL HR commission, I just thought they were all provincial.

2.) I prepared a submission to the Review Commission for Federal Labour Standards, which includes airlines. This is for labour standards for workers, but you might find it interesting. Based on my and other bfing coalitions submissions, the Commission did recomment changes to include bfing breaks and flex time.

Here is my submission:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/labour/emp...8/page00.shtml

I don't have a link handy for the recommendations that the Commission made, but I could find it if you want.

3.) here's some trivia - do you know about the Nurse-In in 2005 in NYC, against "The View" TV show at the ABC studios? There was a lot of build-up to the Nurse-In, but one of the triggers was Barbara Walter's comments about a women nursing on a plane beside her. View this YouTube clip, or I can explain more if you are interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WqiHlP5NAY

Days after the Nurse-In, the woman who was on the plane came forward and gave an interview to a blogger, I could probably find that for you too.

(I was a key organizer of the 2005 The View Nurse-In, and the Delta Nurse-In, also, if you want more information on these)

Janice

[annie_noah]

Originally Posted by Janice in Canada

1.) The woman in the West Jet incident filed her complaint federally - maybe you already know that. So there is a complaint in the works. I didn't realize there even was a FEDERAL HR commission, I just thought they were all provincial.

That is great!! Yes - the airlines are federally regulated, so federal law applies. For incidents that happen on the ground, you could possibly argue that provincial law applies (if it was stronger, as the Ontario HR law is for example). However, I'm hopeful that her federal case will give us the federal legal precedent that we need to better protect us in the future.

2.) I prepared a submission to the Review Commission for Federal Labour Standards, which includes airlines. This is for labour standards for workers, but you might find it interesting. Based on my and other bfing coalitions submissions, the Commission did recomment changes to include bfing breaks and flex time.

Here is my submission:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/labour/emp...8/page00.shtml

I don't have a link handy for the recommendations that the Commission made, but I could find it if you want.

I would be interested - thank you!

3.) here's some trivia - do you know about the Nurse-In in 2005 in NYC, against "The View" TV show at the ABC studios? There was a lot of build-up to the Nurse-In, but one of the triggers was Barbara Walter's comments about a women nursing on a plane beside her. View this YouTube clip, or I can explain more if you are interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WqiHlP5NAY

Days after the Nurse-In, the woman who was on the plane came forward and gave an interview to a blogger, I could probably find that for you too.

(I was a key organizer of the 2005 The View Nurse-In, and the Delta Nurse-In, also, if you want more information on these)

I included the Barbara Walters incident in my list of airline breastfeeding incidents (Friendly skies? Not always for breastfeeding mothers). I also included the link to the interview with the blogger.

Thanks for your input!

Annie

[Janice in Canada]

Sorry, I didn't read your blog (trying to limit my online time)

Just took at look - you are doing a great job, and very thorough, too!!!

I'll try to find the link to the recommendations.

Janice
(wishing the free blogging sites existed, at the time I was most active in bfing activism a few years ago - then I would have all my stuff and experiences well organized and accessible on the web, for everyone to use!)

[mamajake]

Originally Posted by annie_noah

I thought they found Freedom Airlines responsible, but absolved Delta of any responsibility (or is there an appeal or something that I'm not aware of?).

Now, the commission's findings were against Freedom Airlines only-- not Delta-- because the flight attendant was a Freedom employee.

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp...menu183_15_2_3

Yes, this was the finding of the Vermont Human Rights Commission. Gillette still has a private civil suit she may pursue against Delta.

Also the Commission finding against Freedom meant only that the Commission could file suit against Freedom. My understanding is that the Commission subsequently decided it would file suit (there was a period in which the parties could negotiate a non-judicial settlement but Freedom did not engage in serious discussion). So a state court must decide the suit between the Commission and Freedom, and there may yet be a civil suit brought by Gillette against Delta.

[annie_noah]

Updated OP with a link to a new post that I just put up today:

Tips for Breastfeeding on a Plane: Based on at least 12 flights with nurslings, I provides some tips for breastfeeding moms to help them prepare for and survive a flight with a nursling, including what to do if a confrontation happens.

[Swan3]

Originally Posted by annie_noah

Updated OP with a link to a new post that I just put up today:

Tips for Breastfeeding on a Plane: Based on at least 12 flights with nurslings, I provides some tips for breastfeeding moms to help them prepare for and survive a flight with a nursling, including what to do if a confrontation happens.

This is great!