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?

they are saying some people don't want to see your breast

Well, tough titties snigger because it’s the law that I can breastfeed my child whenever, wherever and however I like and there’s sod all you can do about it.

(Ps, no breastfeeding mother wants to cause a scene, make a spectacle or anything else, she just wants to feed her child)

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.

That's OK. They don't have to watch.

On a plane, there is literally no seat in which you wouldn't have to turn your head quite a lot to watch. If people decide to turn their head in order to be offended why should they be denied that pleasure?

If the freaking Virgin Mary can do it with Jesus...why can’t we?!!

@genius1308 i genuinely don't understand your post. Feeding attire has come so far in the last decade it is now possible to feed easily instantly without exposing anything. Were you wearing something that meant you just weren’t comfortable feeding in public?

The fact that some people don’t feel comfortable at the sight of it doesn’t have to matter 🤷🏻‍♀️
And why not? If an old lady with dementia decided to take her top off and let her breasts show because she thought she was back to being 25 on the beach, would that be OK too because the discomfort of others doesn't matter. Or is it just the privilege of breastfeeding mums to not care about making others uncomfortable?

The truth is that if KLM implemented this policy, it is because people did complain, because the vast majority of people in real life don't care to have breasts exposed so close to them.

Ok - I think there are two sides to this, but before I say anything, let it be known I’m pro breastfeeding and have done so. That said, I’ve never hefted a boob out in public as I don’t want to do that. I’d just rather breastfeed discreetly, and used to cover myself.That said , I also used to own a Jewellers, and used to cringe when women clients would come into the shop and just flop a boob out and start feeding for all to see. Any men in the shop would normally leave, so I’d loose potential trade, and there is no denying that some men (and some women) find boobs out in public (even if you are feeding as nature intended)slightly disconcerting, even uncomfortable. I personally think that whilst feeding in public is absolutely fine, some people don’t. Does it really affect any of us to pop something discreetly over you ?- I think not. If you prefer not to, that’s fair enough too, but on transport, in a relative confined space, does it hurt to exercise a bit of decorum ?.....I think KLM are just trying to aim for keeping everyone happy here ?......

@swingofthings

A lot of babies will not tolerate being covered. So it's not even a choice thing then. From day one my baby boy has refused any and all covers. He pulls them off. So someone asking me to cover up is asking something very difficult/ nigh on impossible. What am I to do in such a situation? Leave him to go hungry and howl the plane down? It's not a practical request.

As other posters have also said, you'd have to really be looking to see enough from.anpther plane seat to be offended.

I really don't understand the unhappiness about bf. 20 years ago I ebf a total of 2.5 years (ds=1 yr and dd=18 mos). In a very conservative area.

Not once did anyone tell me anything negative. I used nursing shirts/bras and a light blanket if we were out in public. I can only remember a couple times when someone realized what I was doing and I noticed their reaction. It was curious but positive.

It's pretty easy to feed a baby without anyone seeing the horrible, blindingly offensive breast/nipple.

ALTHOUGH, the reason we humans are mammals, is bc our females have mammary glands. It is us at our most fundamental.

I feel like howling in disgust that 20 years after I stopped bf, this is still an issue.

Every type of (sometimes perverted and if I complained about that, I would be condemned)sex is flaunted in media but it's STILL an issue to breast feed???

WHY? What good reason does anyone have to complain about mothers using our breasts for the reason that they are attached to our body?

The hypocrisy of anyone breathing air complaining about a mother feeding her child in the manner in which we evolved is sickening.

It's too bad old women can't bf. At my age and lack of patience with humanity, if I was complained about while bf now? I would probably be tempted to squirt them; straight from the source.

@mimosaadorna you're assuming that is available option for all women. It isn't.

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?

Erm I’m talking about bfing and explained my rationale.

I’m not sure why you think your motorway point is in anyway analogous.

That's OK. They don't have to watch
Haha, I can imagine most posters here on a train, with a guy sitting opposite to them taking his shoes and socks off and putting them next to your seat, and him telling you that if you don't like it, you don't have to watch.

I can imagine the responses here if someone posted whether this was unreasonable!

If an old lady with dementia decided to take her top off and let her breasts show because she thought she was back to being 25 on the beach, would that be OK too because the discomfort of others doesn't matter

THIS is the analogy you chose?! Yes of course it would be OK because she is unwell... Jesus

But it’s not comparable. No one on this thread has been able to articulate WHY a breast feeding a baby would make someone uncomfortable. why?!

WTAF is offensive to anyone about a mother feeding her baby? Many of those women will have been through traumatic births not so long ago and the last thing they need is other people judging them as they feed their baby. Breastfeeding could well be very new to them & difficult. Breast feeding is not easy. And pumping even harder. Added to that, the massive upheaval and change of life having a new baby brings. The uncertainty, the fear of it being hurt, dying, the overwhelming weight of responsibility for such a vulnerable creature. New parenthood is terrifying. We should be supporting breast feeding mums in any way we can, not castigating them in this way.

Catsinthecupboard

I love you

@NCforthis2019 Three key words stand out in your comment if you’re discreet

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

@Campervan69 many of us on here advocating that feeding discreetly is the way forward ARE breastfeeding mums!?

@LaurieMarlow, putting a limitation on something doesn't mean you are not allowed to do it all, hence the analogy. Your statement makes no sense.

@Bibijayne, there are some babies that might not tolerate even a light cover, in this case, a simple explanation to the person next to you and asking if they are OK with it, or asking if you could seat somewhere else if it does cause offence is absolutely fine.

It's the view that others should tolerate something that is offensive to many just because they are feeding their kids that really annoys me. I wouldn't think of changing a napy full of poo on a busy flight even thought my baby really needs changing because I respect thst this is offending to other people even thought it is something totally natural.

WTAF is offensive to anyone about a mother feeding her baby
Nothing. Breastfeeding is not the issue. Showing breasts in full view in a close environment is for some. Ps: not me, I wouldn't care at all, but I can appreciate it would be for others, older men for a start.

swingofthings

For the love of God explain WHY feeding a baby is as unpalatable as a stinking shitty nappy being changed. how does it effect someone to see a breast out for feeding?! How does it NOT effect someone to see a woman in a low cut top?!

@Somersetlady discreet does not mean covered up. It's often very quick to feed an infant if you just quickly latch them on. Let them nurse, then put everything back away. Not fiddling with covers they won't tolerate or holding off allowing them to feed to find somewhere private (which if you wait too long from their first cues leads to lots of loud crying).

No one on this thread has been able to articulate WHY a breast feeding a baby would make someone uncomfortable. why?!
Because for many people, breasts are not just for the purpose of breastfeeding but are a body part associated with sexuality. After all most women don't expose their breasts on the beach for that reason. Breastfeeding women don't consider their breasts as a sensual part of their body, at least not when breastfeeding, but many people do and are not comfortable with it. That's the reason.

And just to add, in most places, offended people have the option to move, they don't have it on a busy flight.

@swingofthings I've found a lot of older men are pretty okay with breastfeeding, as it was pretty common when they were growing up. My 81 uncle couldn't give a damn when my baby needed to nurse. My 65 year old Muslim FIL isn't bothered either. Nor is my 70 year old father. Or indeed many of the kind older gents who have offered to get me a glass of water in those early days when I first ventured out of the house with my DS

swingofthings

So presumably very low cut tops on a plane are also a no no?

How does it NOT effect someone to see a woman in a low cut top?!
But it does, most airlines have a policy about very low cut outfit, recently a young girl was told she had to put a top on or get off the flight when she was wearing one of those tops thst is not much more than a fancy swimming suit bra.