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?

Bf mums give the impression that babies need feeding this instant and could not cope like a ff baby who indicates hunger waits for bottle to come out of bag or fridge possibly being heated and then being fed. Babies survive waiting a bit.

Patterns of feeding for bf and ff babies are very different.

You haven’t a clue what it’s like to bf, so reel your neck in here.

Of course they’ll survive waiting a bit, but obviously it’s a good thing to meet babies needs promptly. Aren’t we told that’s the basis of secure attachment?

Besides, I doubt you’d enjoy the howling while they ‘waited a bit’

Just because FF babies have no option but to wait for their bottle to be prepared doesn't make that the ideal. A BF baby doesn't need to wait, so why should they?

Do any breast feeding mums actually ask if those around are comfortable with them exposing parts? Do they even care if they upset others?

Sorry, you realise we’re talking about feeding infants that’s not a choice.

@FelicisNox yep bye bye then

We shouldn’t have to wait to feed the baby because people still live in the dark ages. Having said that I would think attitudes would be more tolerant in the dark ages

I didn't breastfed my kids, I have never judged a woman choosing to breastfeed for however long she wants, ut my gosh am I tired now of the sense of entitlement that women who breastfed seem to have acquired in the recent years.

Opting to breastfeed doesn't give you super powers, it doesn't make you immune to rules and it doesn't give you the right to totally undermine others feelings. Why is it such an issue to ask that you cover yourself breastfeeding? No one is saying you can't breastfeed, they are saying some people don't want to see your breast just like you wouldn't want to see some part of their body.

You are absolutely right I don't know about bf. Not my fault it was medical.
I don't believe this instant demand of bf babies. Ff babies can howl just as much but instant response just cant always happen. This appears to be put forward as a reason why bf babies are feed in public. As already said I don't want any baby going without feeding. I would say be quick as you can but don't use it to justify the expectation of the tolerance of others.

It's an issue because it's bloody ridiculous. Breasts are for feeding. That is literally what they are for. If I claimed to be upset by the sight of a bottle and asked it to be covered it would be considered insane. But it's no different.

ut my gosh am I tired now of the sense of entitlement that women who breastfed seem to have acquired in the recent years.

Disgusting comment. RTFT to see many many responses to this sort of ridiculous, patronising attitude.

I can never understand the mentality of preferring a screaming baby vs a feeding baby.

Why is it such an issue to ask that you cover yourself breastfeeding?

Because my baby wouldn’t tolerate a cover. Screamed blue murder.

Do you understand now why it’s an issue?

Why don’t you cover your fucking bottle when you FF because it’s offensive to me and I don’t want to see it?!?

Sense of entitlement? Yes, it’s my biological right to feed my child with my breasts, you know, the ones DESIGNED to feed my child. And I will do this however I fucking like.

I can’t BELIEVE some of the posters on this thread. Jesus titty Christ 🤣

I often breastfeed my 3 year old is public.

When he was about 4 months it was a super hot day and I had my whole boob out over the top of the vest.

I was sat on a bench in a shopping centre and a Middle Aged Muslim man came over and sat next to me. He offered to get me a drink, struck up conversation and congratulated me on feeding. Islam states that all children should be breastfed for 2 years.

I'm not sure what backgrounds would find breastfeeding offensive?

As already said I don't want any baby going without feeding.

Well you clearly do.

Anyway, how long do you think they should be made wait?

I believe the journey was from San Francisco to Amsterdam.

I would think 3 to 5 minutes or 10 at a push. Definitely not for a transatlantic flight. I would expect a plane to have a discreet corner especially a plane used for transatlantic purposes

No one is saying you can't breastfeed

If you put limitations on it then you fundamentally are.

What if baby won’t tolerate a cover?

What if your boobs are big and/or baby struggles to latch and people start bleating about being ‘discrete’ and you worry you arent being discrete enough. Despite trying your best.

Attitudes like this make ppl self conscious about feeding in public and ultimately affect rates.

Attitudes like this make ppl self conscious about feeding in public and ultimately affect rates

This x 10000000

Agreed @Jessie94 I live somewhere with lots of Muslims and they've never had a problem with breastfeeding. It annoys me when its implied that its them finding it offensive.

I would expect a plane to have a discreet corner especially a plane used for transatlantic purposes

Have you been on a plane, ever? Economy I mean.

Where would those discrete corners be?

If you’re advocating all bfing mothers get bumped up to business, I could get behind that.

I thought it was much more of a show than quietly feeding a child

Lots of people think us taking our disabled relative out for dinner is a show, too. And the venn diagram of that and breastfeeding is close to a circle.

I don't really get the entitlement thing. As an 18 year old mother, I found breastfeeding in public really daunting. I tried to cover up as much as possible. I would look for corners in cafes, then I would face the wall in order to feed discreetly. I was so worried about what others would think and if somebody would comment. DS would not tolerate being covered, and I didn't like it either as it made me feel like it was even more obvious I was breastfeeding () thankfully this anxiety was relatively short lived and I got used to feeding my son in public. Now he's 14 months and is still breastfed, also loves to perform gymnastics whilst feeding (especially in public, thanks son), I'll do my best to keep discreet but would you really prefer to hear a screaming toddler? I can honestly say I've never seen a woman being exhibitionist about feeding their child. Don't get that comment.

Breasts are for feeding. That is literally what they are for
Oh so should women who don't have children or don't breastfeed or who have done breastfeeding their last kid get rid of them!

And how about my bum? It only serves to extract the food I absorb, is it OK for me to show it when I seat next to you because it needs some fresh air?

The fact that some use it to feed their babies doesn't mean all have to feel comfortable at the sight of it.

strange - i have breastfed on KLM many many times - no one bats an eyelid, nor anyone complain.. Maybe it's new.

If you put limitations on it then you fundamentally are
What a ridiculous statement. So if there's a speed limit of 70 in the motorway, it means you are prevented rom driving all together?

The fact that some use it to feed their babies doesn't mean all have to feel comfortable at the sight of it

The fact that some people don’t feel comfortable at the sight of it doesn’t have to matter 🤷🏻‍♀️

i even fed my children without a cover in , shock horror - DUBAI. Honestly, if you're discreet, no one notices/cares.