Flying and breastfeeding

Tomorrow my husband, 5 week old, and I are flying to MA, and I am seriously thinking about just breasfeeding her on the plane. I wanted to know if any of you have done this, or is it just better to go ahead and pump before the flight?

I have never been on a plane, I have a very serious fear of flying, but I'd be damned if someone told me I couldn't feed my child. That's just my opinion. Many women breastfeed so discreetly that if you don't know what they're doing, you won't know. Its not like they just whip their boob out for all the world to see. I get aggravated when you hear all this controversy over breastfeeding in public. Do we stare at them while they're eating? Why are they staring at our babies when they eat? Like I said, that's only my opinion, but it sure gets me riled. =)

So... I would do what ever YOU feel comfortable doing.

Just get a nursing blanket and practice with it before the flight. :] It'd probably be a lot easier for you as long as you're comfortable nursing in public. I'm sure no one will gawk or anything, but if they ask you to feed your child in the bathroom or something, just ask them if they'd like to eat their in-flight meal in the bathroom and see where it goes. :]

She just feeds so much better that way, and does not like taking a bottle. We will be flying all day almost, and I just want to make sure she will be getting all that she needs. I think the bottle may cause her to eat less, and feel more uncomfortable.

Quoting Gregosaurusrex [29 days]:“ Just get a nursing blanket and practice with it before the flight. :] It'd probably be a lot easier for ... [snip!] ... the bathroom or something, just ask them if they'd like to eat their in-flight meal in the bathroom and see where it goes. :]”

haha I like that! Those bathrooms are so tiny!

I would definitely nurse while flying. It is so much easier and more comfortable for you and baby  

thanks everyone, I hope the airline does not make a big thing over it, but they shouldn't right?

I nursed when I flew. All the flight attendants were really nice and helpful about it.

the airline wont, unless they want A BIG PROBLEM. I think even if your not comfortable NIP it would be easier/better to just BF the baby on the flight. People will understand. If you have a window seat, you can take a thin larger blanket, and tuck it between the chair next to you, and in front of you, kinda making a drape? I have done that in the car, when there were weird people around that I didn't want to look at me...

Oh and if you nurse her during take of and landing, it will help with the pressure in her ears.

Quoting jamils_mommy:“ the airline wont, unless they want A BIG PROBLEM. I think even if your not comfortable NIP it would be ... [snip!] ... didn't want to look at me... Oh and if you nurse her during take of and landing, it will help with the pressure in her ears.”

Yeah I heard about that. I really wish we didn't have to fly there. I just hope the trip is not too hard on her. I am so not looking forward to this entire trip!

I know you can easily use a blanket to drape, but I saw at Target a nursing tent kind of thing.http://www.target.com/First-Years-Breast-Feed-Nursing/dp/B000A40WEK/qid=1209589611/ref=br_1_14/602-9015023-3751868?ie=UTF8&node=256451011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

They have all sorts of drapes....
http://www.target.com/Hooter-Hiders-Nursing-Cover-Fiji/dp/B000W9LX14/qid=1209590710/ref=br_1_2/602-9015023-3751868?ie=UTF8&node=256451011&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=256451011&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=2

And more....
http://www.target.com/Peanut-Shell-Nursing-Cover-Retro/dp/B000W8RL8O/qid=1209593486/ref=br_1_5/602-9015023-3751868?ie=UTF8&node=256451011&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=256451011&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=1

I'm flying in June and will def. breastfeed on the plane.
I'll just bring my "hooter hider"
BF'ing will calm the baby during take-off and landing as well!

Quoting MamiLaLa:“ Yeah I heard about that. I really wish we didn't have to fly there. I just hope the trip is not too hard on her. I am so not looking forward to this entire trip!”

Try to relax and enjoy your self. If your stressed, she is more likley to have a bad time... It is a new "first" for her.

Quoting MamiLaLa:“ Tomorrow my husband, 5 week old, and I are flying to MA, and I am seriously thinking about just breasfeeding ... [snip!] ... her on the plane. I wanted to know if any of you have done this, or is it just better to go ahead and pump before the flight?”

Yeah, why bother with a pump? No one will even know you're nursing...and if someone happens to notice, then good for you for setting a good example! People should be more willing to breastfeed in public to help it become more normal in our culture.

i brought my boppy and just wore a nursing tank under my shirt... It was fine... she nursed 2x during the flight... takeoff and landing