View Full Version : Breast Feeding Passengers!!!
Radioman99
15th Apr 2002, 22:51
Hello One and all,
Well I hope the title got your attention. Anyway, not so long ago I took a trip from London to Glasgow with BA (luckly I did not have to pay the bill) anyway, I always seem to fall asleep even before the nice young lady has finished the saftey brief (not the 1tst time I have went London to Glasgow and woke up after plane has landed).
On this occasion I was sitting beside a young lady who had her baby on with her. Half way thru the trip I woke when the stewardess was asking if anyone wanted tea or coffee or some soft drink.
I turned round and the young lady beside me was breast feeding her baby, I did not know what to say to the stewardess at this time and decided it was best to go back to sleep.
I dont know who was more emabarressed...Me...The Stewardess or the babys mother....
Oh the services that BA are offering these days...............
Thought someone would have a laugh at this one but its true....
regards
John
Shadowpurser
16th Apr 2002, 12:32
It's quite a common occurence on board. But yes - it's always a shock, especially for the guys!!!. Believe me there are always other things we have to try and ignore as well, but we try our best to be proffesional.
One instance that sticks in my mind is noticing this businessman was wearing tights/pop socks instead of normal socks - guess he had none clean so had to borrow some of the wifes!!!
We all had a good laugh at him behind his back - he either noticed us looking or felt too self concious because he bought the Paul Smith socks out of the duty free bar at £30 for 2 pairs -OUCH!!!
Xenia
16th Apr 2002, 17:19
http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/lolup.gif Had a good laugh Shadowpurser
To be honest I don't see anything wrong with breastfeeding a baby on board!. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it, but If the mother wasn't embarassed 'cauze it is a natural act, and the baby was hungry.... well what to do?? would you rather have a screeming baby on board? (moi certainly not). Neither could we have sent the poor mother to breastfeed in the toillet http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/pukey.gif
Hey... it's only a pair of (o) (o) after all :D :D :D
About services those days.... we are all trying to survive Radioman99 ;) Next time try BE and good luck :p
Carnage Matey!
16th Apr 2002, 20:42
I'd treat it just like a classroom. As long as shes got enough for everybody to have some then its fine by me!
Shadowpurser
16th Apr 2002, 20:52
Lol!!! Yuk!!!
Just looking at the title - this thread COULD be looked at in a whole different light.
I can assure you there'd be a lot of hungry mouths if it was rows 1 - 5 had to be fed from my nipples.
Might be a new slant on attracting more PAX though!!!!:eek:
(edited: due to too much pizza)
curmudgeon
17th Apr 2002, 10:04
The missus was advised that the best way of equalising the pressure in the baby's ears is for it to suck on something. Therefore during take off and descent she would always give the baby a drop of the draught. As you all know, a baby in distress or slight pain tends to be somewhat vocal, thus causing distress to other pax.
For descent, she always knew when the seat belt sign came on that it was time to start feeding. It was more difficult to get clues for take off. Perhaps an announcement could be made from the pointy end along the lines of "Ladies and gentlemen, we shall commence the take off roll in two minutes. Would all brest feeding mothers please prepare yourselves."
cur
AtlPax
21st Apr 2002, 06:14
Indeed, as a single guy like me, I know fellas have a certain way of regarding a woman's breasts. Then, when an occasion comes along where you learn their (breasts) true function, it comes as a great shock!
Alas, a feeling of dirty guilt comes to mind immediately. ;)
Evening Star
22nd Apr 2002, 12:44
Good luck to the woman for being unembarrassed enough to breast feed in public (natural action and all that). Have seen it in all sorts of places, including during a church service (wedding) (no, not the bride!), so why not on board an aircraft? However, speaking as a guy, the problem is not embarrassment but being torn between trying to look the other way while also trying to discreetly watch. Tricky. Maybe I should settle for the dirty guilt.
Totally agree with the idea that any amount of public breast feeding is better than a baby screaming because it cannot equalise ear pressure on take off and landing. One has visions of 'Sid the Sexist' type announcements along the lines of "t*ts oot faa tak off" :). Hum, maybe not :eek:.
Tinstaafl
22nd Apr 2002, 20:52
No, I think that's a great idea for take-off. Wonder how long it would take to get it implemented?:D
Meanwhile, half the baby's luck! ;)
Techman
22nd Apr 2002, 21:05
Once had a hostie ask me 'coffee, tea or milk', while sticking her you know what in my face.
So I asked for coffee.:confused:
Pom Pax
23rd Apr 2002, 10:42
I have always understood that pressure equalisation occured naturally during ascent and problems only occurred during descent.
falps
23rd Apr 2002, 16:06
Gentlemen, you are probably more bothered by the whole thing than a breastfeeding Mum is! :D
Like Xen says, it's a natural act.
It also tends to be a pretty absorbing and pleasurable pastime for both Mum & Sprog.
She probably will not notice you peeking, nor will you actions be of any great interest to her.
Being a new Mum tends to focus the mind, and learing gents are NOT important in your universe during that turbulent time of your life!
Peek away and don't feel guilty I'd say. :)
Shadowpurser
23rd Apr 2002, 23:04
Wow now there's a new slant on things!
Never thought the woman would enjoy it. But it makes sense - GOD I'm such a man!!!!
Ladies - I appologise!!!!!!!
Tinstaafl
24th Apr 2002, 02:16
I'm not bothered by it at all.
Just jealous! ;)
Radioman99
24th Apr 2002, 21:54
Hello One and all,
Well folks, I never thought that so many people would read my original posting. Glad to see so many views on it all.
regards
John
John, no adverts
Tanks
Xenia
My (now 17 year old) twin sons took their first flight bne-sin-lhr at age 13 weeks. The four of us and one other J pax all the way. The other pax was astounded at how well they "behaved" - which was a result of being thrown on the breast at the slightest movement. They slept, fed, slept, fed all the way - as did mum and dad.
under_exposed
28th Apr 2002, 14:13
Newsflash - Ryan Air to give 10% discount to all nursing mothers - providing they supply sufficent to cover the tea/coffe requirement for the whole flight :D :D :D .
But seriously Mrs U_E fed our children for some time and did not care about others emarisment/perversions. One friend could not cope and always left the room, another would not even break in conversation as the sprog was latched on.
It is normal, dont give the mother grief as she is just doing waht is necessary. Constently peeking is not a good idea, one day a mother will say (in a very load voice) "my husband could swap seats so you can get a better view of my breasts" resulting in you hiding in the toilets for the rest of the flight to avoid further embaresment.
Tinstaafl
28th Apr 2002, 23:07
Or swapping seats. :D
Avman
29th Apr 2002, 01:26
On the continent I have experienced it many times in different settings. It's a very natural act and if mum is happy, then it doesn't embarass me at all.
gulf_slf
12th May 2002, 08:40
When moving wife and 5 week old sprog from AKL (New Zealand) to JFK (NY City) via LHR in early 90's BA were exceptional in looking out for us.
Whilst no 1 daughter clamped for 'inflight re-fuelling' during the take off roll and descent ,no noises except contented snuffling could be heard from her and the missus, who was in champagne induced relaxation...probably accounts for the contented snuffling from no1 as the alcohol gave the milk a certain edge( wondered why she has always been keen on wine at meals!!)
The overnight sector ex-SIN had a Queen's Messenger join the flight .... typical ex-military officer type with moustache, regimental tie, and attache case handcuffed to wrist...gave my wife and no 1 a look as if to say' thats all I need is a screaming baby on the long haul to London'
No 1 hardly whimpered the night through so when we landed at LHR the crusty old boy mentioned as we were departing the flight, that he was most impressed by her silence during the flight
and wished that all infants were as quiet including his own in the past!
A nice sentiment to be said to my wife who was coming to terms with a new baby....made a big difference to her confidence!
flapsforty
12th May 2002, 08:51
Lovely story gulf_slf. :)
Thanks for sharing that with us!
bealine
24th May 2002, 09:51
Why on earth breast-feeding should be an embarrassment to anyone beats the hell out of me!
(a) It's natural
(b) 99% of babies prefer draught to bottled
(c) Many of us have been at the receiving end of it ourselves (although in the '60's and '70's it became unpopular for a while)
(d) Anything that keeps a baby from crying has got to be good news.
Go for it mums!
;)