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Booby Traps: "Flying Under the Radar", Airplane Breastfeeding A breastfeeding support and advice column looking at breastfeeding challenges, problems and solutions from a slightly less serious angle. By Danielle Goodnight, WebMama Well, ProMom can add another reason to their 101 Reasons to Breastfeed List: “Get through airline security faster!” I guess they’ll have to add "airplane breastfeeding" and change the headline to 102 Reasons… I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news reports that because of recent terrorist threats, TSA would be inspecting baby formula carried on to airplanes. I’d like to see the airlines try to check my baby’s milk! I recently took a trip half way across the country with my ten-month-old, breastfed infant. And you guessed it, the little bugger needed to nurse a few times during the eight-hour travel day. (The nerve of him!). Thanks to Barbara Walters, the subject of airplane breastfeeding became a media topic. I was disappointed in Ms. Walter’s lack of maturity about the subject. I guess breastfeeding is just too titillating for polite society. I just hope that frazzled moms weren’t discouraged by the discourse and took to heart the positive response from many folks who have a more realistic understanding of the situation a nursing mom will find herself in while traveling. Moms, don’t heed the whines of a vocal few that want you to wean a year early for a three hour flight or send you to the bathrooms to nurse! Have you smelled a rank airplane bathroom? I know I was not at all tempted to go breastfeed my baby in the airplane bathroom, so that left either the aisle or my seat. After some consideration I decided that I didn’t want to be run over by the drink cart, so the seat it was. Both the trip and the return trip (with transfers) went very well. The only crying episode he had was for about three minutes during one landing when he didn’t want to nurse and couldn’t pop his ears. Other than that, he was an angel and spent his time charming his fellow passengers. The fact that he is a breastfed infant in no small part was responsible for his contentment and pleasant demeanor during the flights. The goals of this article are two-fold… to let other breastfeeding moms in on specific strategies for airplane breastfeeding and to try and convince the few knuckleheads that are out there that it is really more pleasant for you if the infant sitting next to you is allowed to nurse and that it would behoove you to be pleasant and kind about it. (Is calling a person a knucklehead unkind?) First, for you mamas… how you dress is of paramount importance.
I know some of you out there are very unabashed about what people
see and figure it is their problem… I applaud you. If you
sat next to me on a plane I’d say to you, “You go girl!”
But, I am a bit shy about what people see and I think that most
nursing moms are. (I will, however, take a principled stand against
recommending Booby Blinders or Hooter Hiders or any recent silly
nursing in public contraption.) Modesty can be achieved by some
common sense wardrobe choices. For the plane ride I wore one of
my Glamourmom
Nursing Tanks under a Long
Sleeve Wrap Tee I did engage in some strategic location planning as well. I flew Southwest (excellent airline I must say) and they let moms with young children preboard. I was on two flights each way, so I chose to sit by the window with the side I was planning to nurse on toward the window. That way I could turn a little to the side to get junior latched on and the boob I was using wouldn’t be at my neighbor’s elbow. I sat on different sides of the aisle on each flight so that I could switch sides and not get an uber-breast from nursing on only one side. I don’t normally put this much thought into which side I’m going to nurse on and I’m not usually uncomfortable nursing in public, but I tend to feel not quite so relaxed when I’m squished in next to a stranger. Those seats are very cozy, you know! I also put off nursing in the airport between transfers because I actually wanted him to nurse on the plane. I knew nursing would help him to relieve ear pressure. I also knew if he nursed, he was likely to fall asleep. And that would be good for all parties involved. Now, I’d like to address non-breastfeeding travelers. If you are boarding your flight and you see a lady with an infant and the infant doesn’t have a bottle and may or may not have a pacifier, you might want to assume the baby is a nursing infant. If you are a woman, the mom might be very thankful if you sit down next to her. If the flight is full, she is probably praying that some hairy guido doesn’t sit next to her. If you do end up sitting next to a breastfeeding mom, know that the infant nurses for comfort as well as nutrition. If the mom comforts her baby with nursing, particularly during rapid changes in altitude, you will be more likely to be sharing your space with a happy baby instead of a wailing baby. I’ve noticed that those people who are squeamish about breastfeeding are even more troubled by screeching babies. Pick your poison. If you are uncomfortable, please just be nice about it! It will be ok, really. The trauma of being exposed to a mother nursing her baby can usually be resolved in a few short sessions of psychotherapy. The moral of the story? Mamas, live your lives! That includes traveling. One of the nice things about breastfed babies is their absolute portability. So, take advantage of it and enjoy the jet setting experience with your take-along-tot. Think of it as your little adventure in airplance breastfeeding. Just remember to wear a nursing tank and don’t forget your sling! And repeat after me: I will nurse on a plane or on a train.
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