Strollerderby

Well, since take-off and landing are the times when you really need to nurse your baby (or have the baby scream), and you cannot be in the lavatory at these times, I think the answer is obvious.

I'm pretty sure people would rather have a nursing mom next to them than a screaming baby.

I was once patted down while nursing my kid. When I was nursing, if the boys were hungry, I fed them.

I have to say I never got a single dirty look, ever, that I noticed, and no one ever asked me not to do it.

I do it all the time, but it is a little awkward for me to nurse so close to a stranger.  I get over it, for my daughter's sake.

You do not want to sit next to me on the plane if I am not allowed to nurse my son.  Or maybe I should say, you do not want to sit next to my son if he is not allowed to nurse.  It is my secret weapon and I will use it to the fullest of its power.

I'm pregnant with my first, and I admire all of you brazen moms! I'm planning on breastfeeding, but the idea of exposing myself, no matter how little and for such a good reason, makes me a bit queasy. I'm still planning on doing it because I'm encouraged by all the good things I hear about it and the positive, empowering things I hear from you guys. I'm not sure I'm ready to breastfeed on an airplane. We'll see. I have nothing but admiration for women who can do that fearlessly.

I am in favor of it, but I found it to be next to impossible if I was traveling solo with baby.  Airplane seats are so tiny that I could not hold my baby in a way that either my elbow or his feet were not hitting the person sitting next to me.  Not a problem when the person sitting next to me is my husband, but the businessman sitting next to me that one time did not seem to enjoy being kicked in the chest.  

Hmm, I've flown at least 4 times with my son and breastfed him most of the time the first two times and half the time the other two. No one said anything and I kind of prayed that someone would so I could say that I had the legal right to breastfeed anywhere, private or public. Well...and point out that they could always have a screaming baby instead. But eh, somehow I have avoided the dirty glances and the bad words...maybe I just look like I'd love a confrontation...and I would just to tell them off for getting so close to see a tiny flash of nipple as I take the shield off and slip my shirt back up.

I flew across the country with my twins when they were 6 months old. I basically alternated nursing one and then the other for the entire flight. If they weren't in your line of vision, you wouldn't have known that there were two babies on the flight - they were so quiet. I'm sure most passengers would appreciate that. I was lucky enough to be sitting in a window seat with my mom on the aisle, so I didn't have to sit too close to any strangers. I was not actually exposed though, so I don't think anyone would have minded.

My wife nursed our daughter many times on many different flights with me and alone, she says she never had any problems. I don't recall us ever getting a single dirty look. I mostly remember smiles and kindly advice from grandmotherly types. I'd feel bad for someone who made the mistake of trying to send my wife to nurse in the bathroom, she'd have let them have it.

I nursed my daughter on several flights, and I was pretty direct with my seatmates (I was traveling alone).  I told them that for takeoff and landing I was going to nurse the baby, and that I would make every effort to be discreet but I wanted them to know in case they got an eyeful.  I apologized in advance (for the eyeful, should it happen), and mentioned that it was the easiest way to keep her quiet during the pressure changes.  I then covered her with a light receiving blanket.  Without fail, everyone was cordial and understanding and I never got any stinkeye or flak.

She was a very small baby at the time, so that probably made it easier.

I nursed my daughter on a plane at least a dozen times, and never really think anyone noticed. Believe me, you wouldn't have wanted to sit near us without the magic boob. Coolteamblt, I think you'll find - as I did - that necessity is the mother of breastfeeding in public places. I was VERY leery about the whole nursing in public business, but when she needed food or comfort, hell, I shed my inhibitions quick. Also, I practiced covering myself pretty well at home. And if I can nurse my kid with my 34G boobs without anyone noticing or leering at me, then I think anyone can do it without making a spectacle of themselves!

booby mama -Thank you so much for the encouragement! I'm planning on going through with it, and I feel better about it every time I hear positive things from moms like you. I went to my first breastfeeding class the other day, and when the instructor asked if anyone was nervous about feeding in public, I was the only one. Not only that, but the instructor made fun of me! "So what, you're only going to do what's best for your baby if it's at home? Or are you just never leaving the house again?" I was so embarassed and kind of pissed, actually. I just wanted some reassurance and help from the class, and I just got made fun of. Thank you again for the personal experience. It really helps to know that other moms felt this way before they got there, and got over it.

I refused to nurse my babies in toilets.  They are filthy and smelly.  I nursed on planes.  It was no big deal anywhere but in the USA.

coolteamblt - please don't let that awful instructor embarrass you. I'm sure there were many more people who were nervous about this, but were afraid to raise their hands. I'm pretty sure the instructor would have been a lactation consultant. I hate to say this, but I had awful experiences with them. I found them to be very condescending. I almost gave up because of their attitudes, but then I spoke with other moms who were having some issues with nursing, and they made me feel so much better, and really helped me a lot.

A lot of people find nursing difficult at first. (Of course, I am sure there are people out there who take to it immediately, but I was certainly not one of them!) If you do find yourself having some difficulties, I would strongly suggest finding a moms group to help you. Our hospital had a weekly meeting for breastfeeding. (It was led by a lactation consultant who was awful - she insulted me in public also - but the moms were fantastic and I learned so much from them.)

I am also with boobymama - at first I thought I would be too embarrassed to nurse in public, but then necessity takes over. My son wanted to feed very frequently, so it was either learn how to be comfortable in public or stay in the house all day long. After a while I was amazed at how easy I felt about this.

I nursed many times on airplanes, and I never noticed anyone being uncomfortable with it.

Congratulations, and good luck!

Alice, you say nursing on a plane was no big deal anywhere but in the USA. Did someone give you a hard time in the US? If so, shame on them! (Actually, I have family in France, and they really look down on nursing in public. I find it much better here - although I do live in San Francisco, which is probably better than most places.)