| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 7:46:43 AM | Last week I was in the car and on the radio they were speaking of a woman who was on a plane (Freedom Airlines running a Delta commuter flight) and was breast feeding her child. A flight attendant came to her and offered a blanket for her to cover up so that there was no possibility of making others uncomfortable. The woman refused the blanket saying it was her right to feed her baby and they asked her to leave the flight.
You can read the story at:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,229390,00.html
Now, I asked this on another site and got a HUGE response. Some saying she should have pumped others saying pumping is not practical. Some saying its natural and others saying it makes them uncomfortable. You get the point.
My personal opinion is that yes, it is illegal to deny a woman the right to breast feed in public and it is a natural and wonderful thing to nuture your child. However, they did not try to stop her or hinder her. They only asked her to please cover with the blanket. It would have taken two seconds to put the blanket over her shoulder (and her husband was there to help)... She is the one who chose not to comply and had to deal with the consequences. I personally am not uncomfortable with a woman breast feeding without being covered, but many people are. Would it have killed her to be sympathetic to that. It seems to me she was just being complicated. And now that she is filing a complaint against them I'm sure this little stance of hers is going to greatly benefit her. But to me it seems that it is law that she can breastfeed in public, but it says nothing about the nature in which she must breastfeed so can't that be left up to the airports discretion.
Now I'm curious to hear the voices of POF. Where do you guys stand? | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 7:59:08 AM | this half of the world is so emotionally and sexually twisted,....two women walking arm and arm would be declaired gay,...and a woman feeding her baby is abhorrant,...
now a woman wearing dental floss on a beach,...no problem,....
so as long as it's translated as sexual intent,... fine,...
but human,...natural,...normal,...no way,....how twisted is that???,....
no wonder so many babies don't get the healthy head start they deserve by way of their mother's milk,...which of course gives babies far more than nutrient,....it gives them imunization against many diseases,....but we would rather pay for something that is worse for the baby as long as we don't have to think of boobs as anything other than things we can artificially blow up for men's bizzar fantasies,.....
maybe if they had been breast fed,....but neahhhh.....this has become culturally ingrained,...
bet you this wasn't a european airline,.... | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 8:09:48 AM | As a Flight Attendant, I HATE it when women won't cover up during breast feeding! It does make other passengers uncomfortable and God knows I've heard the complaints!!! Everyone has to pretend it isn't happening and doing everything to avoid the obvious. These women need to cover up out of courtesy to others.
Some will say, "it's natural." Well, so is being naked to a nudist but they aren't flying on a commercial jet with just their birthday suit on. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 8:14:48 AM | like I said,....and I apprecialte how many twisted anal retentives there are out there,....
making life miserable for flight attendants but,....there is nothing to see when a baby is nursing,....all the naughty bits are down the infants throat,....the rest you can see openly prettymuch anywhere,....
we need to grow up on this half of the planet,....honest,...
and FYI to all of you out there who remember to buy gum to clear your ears on the plane,....the baby can't chew gum but nursing will clear their ears and prevent the pain,....so
give them a brake and m ove on,....
please note,...seats on an airplane face forward,...NOT sideways,...
if you don't like it,..keep your eyes to yourself,..or better yet face forward and watch the movie,....hey,...they might have scantily clad breasts playing for you,.... | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 8:17:02 AM | I think that it is and was her right to refuse the blanket...many women use this time as a bonding session, they look into their babies eyes with comfort and love. Pumping is not an option, as it leaves out the comfort/bonding of it all for/with the baby, and mother. I have no problem seeing breast feeding anywhere, anytime, and I think that those that do are ignorant to it's benefits...BREAST IS BEST! ANYWHERE ANYTIME!
The blanket, was it clean? I would be concerned what was on the blanket...
If the others had a problem, they could have used the blanket to cover their eyes! | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 8:20:22 AM | Well according toThe American Academy of Pediatrics: It strongly recommends that women exclusively breastfeed their babies for at least the first six months of life, and continue breastfeeding until the baby's first birthday, if possible.
There truly is no better source of nutrition for a baby than breast milk. It provides all the calories and nutrients (protein, fat, sugar, vitamins and minerals) that a baby needs for the first six months of life. It also contains special proteins made by the mother's immune (infection-fighting) system that help to protect babies from illnesses such as ear infections (otitis media), lung infections (pneumonia), and vomiting and diarrhea (gastroenteritis), and may protect against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Breastfeeding moms must to be able to feed their babies, whenever the baby is hungry and wherever they are. Most mothers are not anxious to expose their breasts in public and try to feed their baby without drawing any attention to themselves.
As for the other passengers feeling so put off over this woman doing what is right and natural, then they should just go sit it out in the bathroom, or better yet, just don't look. The breasts were designed for feeding babies, and not for a man's sexual obsessions. So the pervs need to look away. She's not there feeding her baby for your gratification. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 8:23:35 AM | It has nothing to do with nipples!
It has everything to do with respect out of others.
Not everyone wants to see or watch a woman breast feeding. Period.
You are entitled to your opinion, but to call others anal retentive because we don't share the same opinion is being anal retentive on your part! | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 8:25:02 AM | This incident did not involve an infant - the child was almost 2 years old, an age of great curiosity about what's going on around him/her. The flight was preparing for take off - I would imagine there would be a certain amount of hustle and bustle - making it much more likely that "naughty bits" may be shown when junior lifted his/her head to see what was happening.
I advocate breastfeeding for as long as a mother wants - but I also think that using a blanket is not an unreasonable request. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 8:25:38 AM | I agree.
I was watching a TV show in Cambodia, when one of the characters started breastfeeding her baby. It had nothing to do with the storyline; it was just a natural part of life. I've always felt that the US is a sexually repressed nation. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 8:55:44 AM | Being that breastfeeding is perfectly natural and that a mother would choose to do so regardless of others UNNATURAL discomfort says alot in support of her choice. The stewardess/airlines should not have made issue of it in the first place. Instead of asking her to cover up they might have explained to those who protested about the benefits of breastfeeding and about her right as well as the babys to breastfeed and nurture her child ... would a screaming child be less UNCOMFORTABLE to them?
It's high time people respect and act in support of breastfeeding. The more it is done in public without fear of discrimination the sooner society's acceptance of it will come to pass. By asking the woman to cover up they acted in support of breastfeeding as taboo. I know too many young women who have chosen not to breastfeed due to society's ridiculous standards. If it makes you uncomfortable too bad .... Grow the ****UP! I for one say ... New moms show us your tits!!!!   | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 9:00:58 AM | all bodily functions are "natural" wanna see THAT?....intercourse is natural too...just not sure i want to see that on a plane ride. (unless the couple is HOT...lol)
apparently the toddler was 2 years old and not a newborn. What if the child was 5...would we feel the same way? | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 9:12:57 AM | intercourse is natural too...just not sure i want to see that on a plane ride.
the stupidity of this statement says all anyone needs to know,.....about the author of it,....
particular the adendum,... (unless the couple is HOT...lol) grow up seems to apply again and again,...
so the todler was two,...wouldn't have been my prefference personally I aways cut my kids off when they had teeth on the top and bottom,....but who's to say,...and better still who get's to decide,....Bush?,...do we now need to have a breastfeeding police???,..and you better have a birth certificate with you,...or what exactly?,....
who get's to decide?,.....
I was on a plane,...American airline,....when a man sitting two over from me and next to my ex,..began jerking himself off,.....the staff did nothing but move me,.....to the jump seat no less,...and only because I told the stewardess that I had my son's swiss army knife with me and if anything raised it's little head again druring the flight,...that I would cut it off,....
Needless to say this was before 911,...were that today, I'd be in jail now...
Funny thing is,...no one offered him a blanket,..... | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 9:17:25 AM | Just one more lil note here ....
As a flight attendant, If /when others might complain re breastfeeding, Why not take a vote and ask for a show of hands in favor of or not ... lol ... but seriously a few complaints would require some diplomatic intervention with the complainee not with the one they are complaining about since breastfeeding is not unlawful or inconciderats behavior. That is a major role of the attendant, is it not? | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 9:18:15 AM | Marita,
the stupidity of this statement says all anyone needs to know,.....about the author of it,....
Aren't you sweet. Thanks toots!
Wow...you're probably the ONLY person here not able to comprehend sarcasm.
Good for you. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 9:37:46 AM | Marita and Freyja... You make good points. Yes.. breast feeding is good... Yes... it will help with pressure in the ears. We all know the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of being able to do it...
But the woman was not asked to stop breast feeding. She was offered a blanket to simply throw over her shoulder and continue to feed. That is it.
I've noticed a lot that this topic quickly becomes some sort of woman's rights fight. It's not. No one is against breastfeeding or said it was wrong. This is the issue of should she have covered up or no.
Additionally, to argue that you need to grow up if you are uncomfortable with uncovered breastfeeding is ridiculous. As women we are most definately comfortable. Heck, I could see tits in public that didn't have a child attached and think nothing of it. They are just like mine. But not everyone is like that. You say the sex comment shows stupidity but actually I think your manner of approaching opposition shows a lack of ability to participate intelligently. In other counties sex is considered beautiful and can be displayed freely. Here it is not. But that doesn't neccessarily mean we are childish for not wanting sex in our streets. It just means that is the way were are programmed... Some people are uncomfortable in crowded placed... Are they immature because its normal to have crowds? We all are different and uncomfortable with different things.
Some people simply don't know how to act when a woman's breast are exposed in ANY manner. Not only that but some see breast feeding as a very personal matter. AND a lot of woman these days scream harrassment if you so much as look down at their chest. How can a man feel comfortable near an exposed breast knowing that if its the wrong woman she can throw a fit simply for him seeing her in a passing glance. Yes, the actual nipple only shows for a second or two, but say an uptight woman waiting for a lawsuit to start notices that a man was looking in her direction when the nipple was exposed. These things happen. And I don't know about you but that would make me uncomfortable... | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 10:01:36 AM | This is a crazy society, North Anerica
I was in Costa Rica three weeks ago, and I pulled over into a small little town to have a break and a beer.. I walked into a small bar, about the same size as most living rooms. the bar maid was behind the bar waiting on customers, while at the same time breast feeding her baby.. everyone went on as though nothing was happening..
she opened the fridge, reached in, got my beer, opened it, and provided me change from the bill. All the time her bare breast was in view of all in the bar, with the baby sucking normally.. I thanked her and drank my beer, and guess what .. the beer still tasted like beer.
My opinion who cares. what the hell is the big deal?.. it may come of a surprise but europeans go topless. what the hell is the commotion all about? sorry I dont get it! | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 10:02:08 AM | Wouldn't bother me either way. I've seen women breastfeed on buses and in parks. It's the natural order of things. The little nippers have to eat. You gotta do what you gotta do.
Not to mention, that it's a beautiful sight to see someone bonding with their little one. I would just smile and look the other way to make them feel more private. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 11:31:31 AM | | I think that women should be allowed to breast feed wherever, and whenever, they want. As long as the other breast is covered up. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 12:01:15 PM | | This is a simple issue...Close your minds to all the rhetoric and thinking. if we agree it needs to be covered up we then agree it is something that should not be seen. This is insanity. That is life and the fact that people feel uncomfortable means we have some mental health changes to make. I am sure they have no problem showing movies with violence in them. I am sure people are not uncomfortable when the president stands on an aircraft carrier waving the flag and yelling mission accomplished having just killed thousands of human beings. I may just have to cancel my human race membership card. i wonder if the bees are taking applicants. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 12:02:05 PM | Hmmm...from what I heard this was not an issue of actually breastfeeding on a plane.
Personally I have no issue with this since in NJ it's been legal to breastfeed in public for quite a while now. It was her refusal to cover up while breastfeeding that was the issue.
She just turned it into a bigger issue than it was by throwing a hissie fit.
A little politeness on her part would have gone a long way. Concern for others uncomfortableness (if that is a word) should still be considered as long as we live and travel with others.
edit...
interd...interesting how you can turn all human behavior as a comment demeaning the US and Bush. Again I dislike the job he's doing and am 100% against the war. I just can't blame him personally for her behavior.
Nice post anyway....Have a nice weekend!
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 12:08:55 PM | | ^^^^^Well said. One of the problems with that line of thinking is that compliance means acceptance and if we all continue to comply nothing gets changed. Without deviation no progress can be made. Just a thought. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 1:50:33 PM | I breastfed and it is a great bonding with the child - but I did NOT expose my body parts in public. They make great blouses and bras that accommodate. Most mothers cover up as much as possible with a baby blankie.
This issue is more about breaking societies 'rules' and less about bonding.
But I did do a rather nasty no no when I was a brand new mother on a plane. I changed a diaper on my lap. Those first do's are not pretty. The poor guy next to me - 18ish, new army recruit turned green. The plane's bathroom offered even less stablility and space. so... sorry to that guy if you are out there in POF land reading this... | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 3:32:17 PM | first, it was a story on Fox news... worked didn't it!
why are so many people afraid of breast feeding? and how can something so natural and so beautiful be considered wrong?
for those who feel uncomfortable - look the other way. close you eyes. get over it. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 3:49:33 PM | So WHAT? She was breast feeding. How on earth does that make someone feel uncomfortable?
Let the kid suffer & go hungry! That's a great alternative. And it will keep the "offended" morons really comfortable to hear a child express his/her discomfort. Right?
To all those offended by an infant breastfeeding; Get a life. | |
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| Breastfeeding on a plane.
Posted: 11/22/2006 4:11:41 PM | How silly...because you're offended by breastfeeding you need to get a life?
Also, the 2 year old "baby" would not starve...I'm guessing it was also on solid food and had teeth already.
All she (the mother) needed to do was cover up a tad. You'd think that ANY other mother would happily do such a tiny thing in order to feed their child!
I know tons of parents who would take a bullet to protect their children.
Was covering up really worth all this? | |
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