Jen Starks, owner of Ecological Babies, was not expecting to make a political statement for breastfeeding when she boarded a Delta airplane with her husband and two children. Her baby, 8 month old Tyler, was cradled in his sling, comfortably nursing when a flight attended asked him to be removed from the sling. Jen was faced with a decision, and since her husband was seated elsewhere on the plane, she had to make it alone. Allow her baby to finish nursing and remain in the sling where he was comfortable or remove him from the sling. Jen said,
I decided I wasn’t going to take him out. We’ve flown a bunch and this has never been brought up as a rule. Take off, landing, and taxiing were the only times I’ve been told he needed to be out of our carrier. When she came back for the third time, I told her I had decided that I was going to keep him in and would not be removing him. She was furious and huffed about it threatening that she’d be taking this to…the captain!
The flight attendant returned with a piece of paper stating that Jen was in violation of federal regulations and could be imprisoned or fined. Shortly after that, Jen’s baby woke up and wanted to get out of the carrier on his own so Jen happily took him out hoping to avoid further confrontation. When the plane landed, all passengers were asked to stay seated and Jen was escorted off the plane by armed guards (shocking her husband since he was seated somewhere else on the plane and hadn’t realized that there was a problem). Jen said,
The officers looked at the baby in confusion and wanted to know the story. As soon as I told them how I was breastfeeding and trying to be discreet, etc, they were pissed they’d been called for this and apologized to me. Also, greeting me off the plane was head of airport security! After making a statement and seeing all of their reactions, I was finally able to breathe, knowing I wasn’t going to prison or fined. In fact, they all apologized and I was really grateful for it.
I don’t know why, but it still shocks me that it’s socially acceptable to wear clothing that leaves little to the imagination but breastfeeding offends people. Jen is in the process of filing a complaint agains the flight attendant. Read Jen’s full story here.
What are your thoughts on breastfeeding on an airplane?
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Wonderfully written! Thanks so much for spreading the word!
Insane!
I had the same experience of being asked to remove my daughter from our sling for take-off. I remember thinking, “I’ve got this nice calm baby; I’ve worked and planned and timed to ensure her sleepiness and contentedness upon take off– and you’re asking me to pull her out and create a situation where she will undoubtedly be roused, may cry and may not be able to return to this calm state post take off. Like someone ringing the doorbell the minute you tiptoe out of the baby’s room! And that’s just the logistics, let alone the politics of your situation! Oy.
Heavens to Betsy. I’m glad the security people had a clue.
I breastfed all my babies. My only issue with doing it in public is whether the mother is being discrete. Flaunting her breast isn’t any better than someone walking around with immodest clothing. But nursing discretely? Absolutely! I’m sure I nursed lots of times in public when people had no clue–just thought I was holding my sleeping baby. Special nursing tops and the like really help.
Annette Lyon´s last [type] ..Chocolate Quotes
I know! I can’t imagine having that happen to me. I’ve been amazed by the number of people who are offended by breastfeeding. I took my oldest to a ski lodge with me and got some nasty looks when I nursed him despite the fact that everything was covered under layers and layers of winter clothes.
I feel the same way about nursing discreetly though. I’ve never been comfortable nursing uncovered in public (although I don’t have a problem with anyone who does) but that’s just because I don’t show a lot of skin normally. I’m always a bit bugged when people think that makes me less pro-breastfeeding though because I was still asserting my right to feed my baby the way I felt was best.
Rachel @ Busy Mommy Media´s last [type] ..Nearly Arrested for Breastfeeding
Jen received a response from Delta
http://ecologicalbabies.blogspot.com/2010/09/rebel-with-cause-deltas-2nd-response.html
Rachel @ Busy Mommy Media´s last [type] ..Nearly Arrested for Breastfeeding
Wow this is crazy. I can’t believe this stuff actually happens
Crystal – Prenatal Coach´s last [type] ..My No ‘Poo Adventure
I fly all the time on Delta and have breastfeed many times with never an issue. Are we sure the issue was breastfeeding? I think the issue was more about the baby being in the sling. I have been told to remove my baby from a sling during takeoff and landing and have done so.
I have NEVER been told anything about my breastfeeding. I have done it in the row immediately after First Class as people were boarding and while other passengers may have looked at me weirdly, no one working the flight has ever muttered a word to me. And I’m not the most discreet nurser.
Melisa´s last [type] ..Fashionable Friday- Do You
Let the mother breastfeed or listen to a crying baby the whole flight? Ummmmm, I’ll take the logical choice and let mom breastfeed!
Maria D. @ Downright Domesticity´s last [type] ..The Birth of Baby D- Part 3 The Hospitalization
I was never a discreet nurser. Although I did always use some type of covering, I didn’t go hide in a corner or another room to nurse. I offended so many people.
But I’m curious to know what “law” she was breaking.
I nursed on a plane as well, but never had any issues. I think the flight attendant was looking for trouble. Maybe she was in a bad mood and was unnecessarily directing her attention to the wrong person. Ridiculous actions on her part.
monique´s last [type] ..First Grade Blues
I don’t see how see was in any violation, it wasn’t during takeoff, landing, taxiing, nor turbulence. If her breasts weren’t exposed to any public (I don’t believe they were), then it was just this flight
attendants problem. I mean get a clue flight attendant, hmmm, starve my baby for your comfort level,
I don’t think so!
Lauralee Hensley´s last [type] ..Whiney me will keep it simple- Im hurting bad
Sorry in my first sentence above I meant to type she, not see. Brain glitching again, due to an on-coming migraine.
Oh bloody….. my head hurts from the overload of batsh*t stupidity that flight attendant suffers from. Make the hurting stop!
Penny Sautereau-Fife´s last [type] ..Time Off To Heal