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?

but I know my father wouldn't be keen, my 16yo boy would be horrified

Then they really need to get over themselves. It is their problem not the mother and baby's.

Also, if people would care to read up on the long and depressing history of women’s bodies being policed and objectified you might understand why I (and others) are feeling a little angry about this

I think the policy is fine, KLM are keeping their options open

So if the policy is ‘fine’ what do you do if baby won’t tolerate a cover?

Deny baby food for a 12 hour flight?

Really, that’s ‘fine’?

Titfloppers, wow.

My elderly father would be hugely embarrassed as would my 11yr old son if they were sat with a breastfeeding mother who didn’t cover, esp if the other boob was out.

Then it's good for them to learn to get over it and look the other way. Though I have to say the chances of them seeing someone breastfeeding one baby with both breasts out have to be absolutely minimal - I've never seen it in several decades.

Wow so many people offended by tits, who knew? Personally I'm offended by the cunts who make breastfeeding more difficult.

I think this is the perfect compromise; allow breastfeeding (obviously) but cover up...not everyone wants to see this feeding process, however natural.

So we don't allow babies who can't tolerate covers to be fed? Really?

There's lots of things I don't want to see - people chewing with their mouths open, manspreading, the pig-ugly building on my way to work, Donald Trump. Can I insist that they all be covered up?

@marvellousnightforamooncup straight to the point, love it

Still nobody really explaining why looking the other way is so difficult...

This isn't Clockwork Orange. No one is forcing you to look.

@TigerTooth see, my 17yo son and 14yo son would NOT be embarrassed, the 17yo would probably prefer to look away, but they both know baby is just having it’s lunch! Nothing more!

My father definitely wouldn’t be embarrassed! But he might accidentally overstep in that he might start trying to give tips! Lol!

My sons (and my daughter) have been raised to know it’s none of their business, nor is it any of their business if someone chooses to bottle feed.

When I am at work, if ever a mum sits in a waiting chair and starts to nurse, I make a point of going and getting that mum a cup of water and just quietly popping it in front of her. It’s thirsty work! But if she doesn’t want it, it’s a quiet signal that she is safe and welcomed here

Why is it that people who can't tolerate the sight of breastfeeding can't spell "discreetly". It comes up on these threads every time, without fail. Just for their information, "discrete" means "individually separate and distinct" which is probably not what they mean.

esp if the other boob was out

WHO FUCKING DOES THIS?!?!

I have never, NEVER seen someone sitting anywhere with both of their breasts out and feeding. Be fucking have. I wonder what else qualifies someone to be an “exhibitionist” in your horrible and narrow minded view?! Earlier on someone said that apparently LOOKING AROUND makes you an exhibitionist.

Frankly, and I don’t give a shiny shit who this offends because I am at my limit of ignorant twats on this thread, I think there is a shitload of jealousy from people who can’t or didn’t breastfeed. And posters being so ignorant who did breastfeed must have their own issues because why on God’s green earth would you personally give a crap? Or is it just social justice warrioring to the max?! The issue with that is that you will have a cross over of people who are offended.

What about a lady from Swaziland on a KLM flight? They really would just lift up remove their top and they don’t wear bras. Both breasts would be out. They absolutely would not understand an issue with this. Posters trying to be “woke” and bleating on about cultural sensitivities please tell me how you would handle this situation?

Also you can fuck right off with the ‘exhibitionist’ comment.

People who spout this kind of shite have clearly never breastfed or known anyone close to them who has.

If you had, you’d know how ridiculous the premise is. So someone keeps their boobs under wraps pre bfing, then the minute they’re veiny, engorged and leaking milk everywhere, decides to ‘exhibit’ them.

Yeah right

When I am at work, if ever a mum sits in a waiting chair and starts to nurse, I make a point of going and getting that mum a cup of water and just quietly popping it in front of her.

This would have made my day in the first few scary weeks of breastfeeding in public

I have never, NEVER seen someone sitting anywhere with both of their breasts out and feeding

In the UK. Obvs as I’ve said it happens in other parts of the world.

@moreginrequired I have found KLM to be great with children, we fly with them quite a bit using Amsterdam as a hub as that's about the only place our local airport flies to. To be fair to them I have breastfed on several klm flights and the staff were actually quite supportive offering me water and a pillow to support my arm. They've always made a great fuss over my kids and that coupled with the great kids facilities at AMS makes it much more pleasant for us than going further afield to catch flights with other airlines.
I suspect and hope the tweet is somebody not thinking through the implications of their wording rather than an implicit bias in their practice.

esp if the other boob was out.

Another person who’s never seen this in their entire life

Can we stop exaggerating wildly to make our point here?

Here’s an idea, anyone offended can have a bag to put over their head do they aren’t subjected to the “embarrassment” of being FORCED to watch a baby being fed.

This was in response to a thread about uk breastfeeding stats being lowest in Europe. I said that elected cesarians are also very high. Then stated re vaginas and saggy boobs.

Why do people hate women SO MUCH?

If I see someone with a wildly low cut top or their bum showing in short shorts, I might think to myself “I wouldn’t personally wear that”. Sometimes, if I’m feeling very bitchy I might think “yeesh, that’s a bit much”.

What I certainly wouldn’t think is “THAT PERSON NEEDS TO COVER THEMSELVES IN CASE SOMEONE IS OFFENDED”. Or, something equally moronic like “I AM GOING TO MAKE THAT PERSON FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BY LETTING THEM KNOW I DO NOT LIKE THIS OR OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT”. Which is basically what everyone who is advocating women HAVE to cover up is doing. So bravo!!!! I’m 100 x more nervous about feeding on the plane tomorrow! Well done wankers!

Before I started breastfeeding myself I cannot recall having seen another breastfeeding mum, other than in my family. I’m sure I must have done, I must have just either not noticed or having noticed not given it a second thought.

Who are these people who have such terrible hang ups they suffer such embarrassment and offence?!

I would definitely give a blanket to cover up the offensive tit while the mother feeds her child in peace. Then they won't see anything with a blanket over their head. Makes much more sense to me than a women covering her baby.

My DH gets turned on by women's eyes

On my next flight I will ask if the women can all wear blindfolds as it is unfair for them to insist on being able to see at the expense of my husband being turned on and deflecting his shame by finding the women offensive.

The language on here of women needing to be "discreet", "modest", "covering-up", "wearing appropriate clothing" and other policing of women's bodies/behaviour makes me despair. When we continue to use this body-shaming language, we perpetuate these antiquated attitudes towards women. Let's be better than this.

Why do people hate women SO MUCH?

I know right?

It’s also the mixed messages of ‘breast is best’ all over the place coupled with ‘oh but you can’t make others uncomfortable by doing it publicly’.

So what can I take from that? That I should bf, but better to stay at home to do it.

That’s like a guaranteed prescription for PND for me. Thanks world.