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Put those breasts away: Woman asked to cover up while breastfeeding during flight
Successfully hydrating on airplanes has recently become difficult; as an adult you can no longer bring beverages aboard. And apparently even babies have the same problem, or at least it seems so after an incident concerning a mother breast-feeding her child last week on WestJet.The Vancouver woman says that she was asked to cover up while breast-feeding during a recent flight, and that the incident has led her to consider filing a human rights complaint. After "discreetly" lifting her shirt to breastfeed her son, a flight attendant offered the woman a blanket to cover up. She declined twice, but the flight attendant insisted
"She said that some men find the sight of a bare breast quite offensive," said Ms. Tarbuck. According to the report, she wasn't even bothering the people around her; the only other people in the row were her husband and two children.
Despite what your beliefs are on breastfeeding, let me just put it this way: traveling with children is difficult, maybe we should cut these mothers some slack. Do you really want to be enduring the sounds of a hungry, crying baby during the duration of your flight???
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Filed under: North America, Canada, Airlines, News, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 45 of 45)
Todd Aug 17th 2008 5:57PM
airplane blankets are dirty, the baby should not be exposed to them
Mk Aug 17th 2008 6:44PM
Holy cow (no pun intended) - I chuckle at all the well intended advise to 'simply cover up'. How many of those giving such advise have actually juggled a baby, a breast and a blanket all while seated in a narrow seat on an airplane. Get over it people - the primary function of breasts are not to be the fun bags men enjoy playing with during sex but to nourish our children! It's a breast - women endure paunchy naked chested men on the beach all the time - I'd much rather see a naked breast, even one who has given in to gravity from nursing children, than a naked beer belly any day of the week!
cheeky Aug 19th 2008 2:03AM
Just a thought for you "lactivists" to ponder: I was wondering if you're the same people who practically lost their minds when Janet Jackson had a costume malfunction? I know, it has NOTHING to do with a baby, but it does have to do with the topic at hand. A nipple is a nipple - a breast is a breast. I sure hope that you lactivists didn't get your panties in a wad when Ms. Jackson's accident occured. If you did, shame on you!
Richaluvsakashtaker001 Oct 2nd 2008 10:59AM
I have been very openminded.
Whenever my baby needs feeding i completely take of my top baring my full upperbody even in public. I like to see the men's jaw dropping seeing my boobs. No one cn stop me. Because of these acts i am celebrity of our society.
Alexis31 Aug 20th 2009 3:21PM
I find it absolutely rediculous this woman made such a fuss about this. I have one child and another on the way and never would I expose my breasts in public. If a woman decided to walk down the street topless, she would be arrested. That is not much worse than a woman hanging her boob out for all to see while breastfeeding.
What is a parent supposed to say to their children when they witness this? Most parents don't want their children exposed to someones private parts and they certainly don't want to be forced to have to explain these things to their children before the proper time.
I completely support breastfeeding and feel that it is the best thing you could do for your baby but how hard is it to cover up while doing this? Most babies don't mind having a blanket over them, it doesn't have to be on their face. These sorts of women need to have some decency and respect for other people.
Anna Feb 17th 2010 3:29PM
well...lets see....I am a mother of three children and pregnant with a fourth. I breastfeed all three of my children for at least a period of time. I am fairly modest so covering up was pretty important to me. People are not saying she didn't have a right to breastfeed in public. If you read the article they merely asked her to cover up. If they had told her to get off the plane or stop feeding the baby that clearly would have been a violation. the attendent is there to serve ALL of the people on the plane NOT just one person. You don't even know that someone didn't mention something. I have no issues with someone who does it discreetly...awesome! That is the best thing for the baby to be breastfeed. I do think this bare it all movement is a little ridiculous. All things in this world should be done with respect to others. When my husband deployed he wasn't allowed to wear flip flops (on his time off) unless he was at the pool or in the shower due to the beliefs of the nation he was going to. Was that a violation? He was also not allowed to wear shorts (in 120 degree plus weather). no, it wasn't a violation of his rights is the answer. It was just what was expected. Women have the right to breastfeed where ever they choose...but they should keep it discreet for those around them. I have seen more women who manage to keep it discreet than women who don't. The ones who don't are very obvious..I do find that unnecessary.
Kelly (Bella + Lucas' mommy) Jul 12th 2010 4:38AM
Honest to god, you people sound like a broken record. I know I'm late on this, but "Would I eat with a blanket over my head?" If it got you to stop trying to make a point out of it, then yes I would.
When my daughter Bella was 4 months old we went to Arizona to visit my husbands family and I had no problems feeding her on the plane. I took the window seat and asked my husband to simply block the way while I fed her. It was no big deal and I tried to get comfort for myself and my daughter + the other people on the flight as well, because it's common courtesy and I know I would want someone to do the same.
As for refusing the blanket, I would have too because you don't know where the airplane stuff has been, but she should have done something instead of making a huge scene. But what's done is done and everyone has a different opinion on the situation.
If this ever happens to you please think of the others and try to work out a way to make everyone, including yourself and the baby happy. There is nothing wrong with using a rest facility to feed the baby in stores and stuff and on planes work out a plan.