AIBU to think KLM's breastfeeding 'policy' is absurd?

[Celebelly]

'Breastfeeding is permitted at KLM flights. However, to ensure that all our passengers of all backgrounds feel comfortable on board, we may request a mother to cover herself while breastfeeding, should other passengers be offended by this.'

This was posted on their official Twitter today.

'Permitted'. Thank god it's 'permitted' to feed your child.

AIBU to think this is ridiculous?

Surely @LaurieMarlow plan to dress appropriately so that they don’t need covering the same way in which you decent your liquids into containers under 100mls because that is the regulations imposed that you have to follow to be allowed to use the flight!?

plan to dress appropriately so that they don’t need covering the same way

But what does that mean?

I’ve never seen a bfing mother inappropriately dressed frankly.

The two tops method is standard, is that okay for you?

*I think it’s reasonable to dress appropriately for a flight in a brest feeding top that shows nothing the same way you plan to pack easy access clothes for nappys and toys for older kids to play with.

It’s only the look at me heres my boobs type of feeder that would be affected by this.*

This. Let's be honest, there are a few women (very few) who go totally topless and do the look at meeee thing with a triumphant look on their face. Most people wouldn't have a problem with a normal breastfeeding mother. You don't really see anything with a normal breastfeeding mum anyway, they just adjust the top a bit to give access to the baby.

there are a few women (very few) who go totally topless and do the look at meeee thing with a triumphant look on their face.

I’ve never come across this in my entire life.

Yet they seem to be referenced with great regularity on here.

I've only seen one once, in 40 years.

plan to dress appropriately so that they don’t need covering the same way

You’ve had very little sleep, (don’t forget there is nobody to “share” the nightshift when you’re EBF) you’re feeling fat, your body shape has changed massively and nothing in your previous wardrobe fits, you’re on stat maternity pay so actually investing in a whole new wardrobe isn’t viable and then you get invited to dinner at colleagues/in laws/your husbands friends and you have to worry not only about feeding your baby because you feel conscious by also all the above.

Fuck off. It’s a fleeting moment in time for you but a BF mother is investing a 24/7. So I’m sure you can pain yourself to look away for a moment.

I don't agree that their rights should trump the right of the baby to feed comfortably and the mother to facilitate that

Neither do I, Laurie - at least not within a multi-national, multicultural setting - which is why it was interesting to see the choice KLM made

FWIW I wouldn't agree with them covering up "the clasped hands of gay couples" which Baguette mentioned either, so it'll be equally interesting to see what happens if someone on a KLM flight objects to that too

It's been a while since I've seen a thread like this. Good to know that some things never change.

I think the last one I read was regarding a wedding in a church and there were going to be breastfeeders running around topless making sure everyone was looking at their tits. Or maybe it was just a mother wanting to feed her baby. One or the other.

When I breastfeed, my boobs tend to be covered by my child's head. Anyone who is getting offended at seeing a bit of flesh for the few seconds before latching on should perhaps stop staring so closely.

Be a bit more discreet about your ogling, not everyone wants to see that.

If you rrft there seems to be a number of titfloppers (not my word!) on MN who do!

People are using the expression to take the piss out of you because you are being so absurd about the idea of slightly more than 1mm of breast being on show.

Should this lady be asked to cover up? She has most of her baps out but isn’t even using them to feed a child so it’s inexcusable, surely?!

Listen @crispysausagerolls put those away a man might see them and get erect!

Also there’s a video somewhere about ‘if men breastfed’ I’ll try and dig it up because it’s pertinent here I think

Women of course are expected to always always consider the comfort of others before themselves. That’s what’s pissing me off here

KLM is not an UK airline. I think we have to accept and respect that other countries and cultures don't always share our views

KLM is a Dutch airline. Not really a massively prude conservative place.

titfloppers

I think I'm one of these. Generally go "over the top" with my boob as it's just easier. Tend to do one up one down in the cooler weather but no way am I wearing more clothes than strictly necessary in the warmer weather. I can assure anyone who thinks otherwise that I'm not doing anything for attention, purely for comfort and ease. Baby's head still covers everything. I don't see the big deal.

When are we all going to realise that when someone does something with neutral intentions that offends you... you have TAKEN offense.

You could choose not to be offended.

Somehow being offended has become a full time occupation for most of the western world. Like they are more special the more offended they are.

See boobs? You have all the following options available:

• look away
• close your eyes
• not be offended
• sit seething with offense, thus ruining your flight

Whichever you choose, just be aware you have chosen it.

I’m a bit of a flipper if I’m honest, but not really through choice. I have massive breasts and my son only ever fed in the rugby hold. By the time I’d uncoupled, pulled tops up and down, got him in to position then dragged my nipple in to position I’d probably shown more than someone with smaller breasts would have. I’ve never done it in a please look at me or to make anyone uncomfortable, and I at times have felt uncomfortable doing it but feeding my son is more important than other people possibly being offended at my tits.

Flopper not flipper 🙄

Stephen Fry's much maligned quote on being offended at least seems appropriate in this particular situation.

'“It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more... than a whine. 'I find that offensive.' It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I am offended by that.' Well, so fucking what.'

I don’t entirely agree with that, although I appreciate the sentiment.

There are laws against racism, sexism, etc and it’s fine to be offended by those who offend those rights.

There are laws against racism, sexism, etc and it’s fine to be offended by those who offend those rights

There are also laws protecting people breastfeeding in any way they like in public, but people here are still discriminating and being fucking rude about it.

@crispysausagerolls

maybe address them then and not me?

From my experience of none touristy bits of Tunisia this is where I would rather be @Sarahjconnor

This is playing out incredibly badly for KLM. There’ll be a clarification soon and someone in the SM team’s head is gonna roll.

@HenSolo as far as I am aware neither men or women are permitted to travel topless on an aeroplane not matter how much more comfortable they would feel?

From the Mail comments about this:

Do women ever stop to consider the feelings of others, particularly men

I...just....

Nope.