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?

I think they mean this.

crispysausagerolls ls he always so shy about women "flapping their boobs" around?

This is totally ridiculous. If you don't want to see something don't look.

"Here's my boobs type of feeder" wow!!!! You mean those boobs that are for feeding?? No you're right women really should be less concerned with feeding their child and more about how much boob is on show. Pathetic.

Ridiculous. I suspect there’s lots of sweaty crotched men on each flight people would rather not have to look at, they don’t get told to cover up.

Really wouldn't have expected this from KLM. Absolute PR nightmare.

Covering up my daughter would have been a sure way to draw attention to me breastfeeding. She would have screamed the plane down!!

And I’m pretty sure they can’t legally tell you to cover up?

I think that’s shocking! I wouldn’t have thought twice about feeding on a flight, suckling babies are much more pleasant than screaming ones! I fed mine on trains, tubes, planes..
It’s nonsense like this that put people off and make them worry when really very very few people actually give enough of a shit to criticise a breastfeeding mother. I didn’t have one person say anything negative but I was so worried to start with. Even the bloke who I accidentally flashed my boobs at in Costa when DD decided she was going to have a little look round and I didn’t notice didn’t look bothered.

Absolutely outrageous and I am sure its not legal. Interestingly the twitter feed has been taken down.

Yep. Women should do as they need to, oh, UNLESS of course someone ELSE is disturbed, or offended, or really in any way put out... Then no.

Why is the fact that women's comfort is always second priority (if even that) so invisible to most people?

Love the veggie analogy. Actually the smell of fish offends me. Truffles too. These should not be allowed on planes, as I will be uncomfortable.

And prayers - someone of a different religion, or no religion, might be offended ...

I have to say the argument from KLM that it's done to 'keep the peace' is laughable and strange.

Who is this pandering to?

Stuff you, KLM.

outrageous

Feck off crispy. My DH is outraged as I am by this crap. Focus on YOUR DH rather than 'men'.

That is terrible! Very offensive! I hope there is an outcry.

I BF both of mine donkeys' years ago, inc. on flights and during a church wedding. Nobody ever batted an eyelid.

Dd has done the same with hers.

I think the vast majority of mothers do try to be fairly discreet, but IMO there's the odd one who makes a point of flopping an entire boob out and positively hoping for someone to,look sniffy or say something, so they can enjoy getting all righteously outraged.

‘Passengers of all backgrounds’ needs unpacking.

Quite so Breathlessness

At least Twitter is handing them their arse on a plate.

‘Passengers of all backgrounds’ needs unpacking

I suspect you may not want to know; it might end up in one of those situations where one protected characteristic confronts another - and the outcome of that's not always pretty

What's offensive about a mother feeding her child!? Makes me so mad. Its a beautiful natural thing, not perverted or sexual, why do some people do that!

Focus on YOUR DH rather than 'men’

It was more focussed at the men who I’m sure are behind the complaint. But I take it back because actually some women have made some outrageous comments on this thread about women covering up so now I think it’s men and women.

@GPatz totally appropriate attire and i agree. And very hard to see anything at all unless you are really trying to look!

I have however seen In London and Brighton women with whole boob out above a vest top feeding whilst looking around presumably to see who is looking at them feeding with their entire breast on show. It is this type of feeding that i can see why some older people or those of different cultures might prefer not to have done so blatantly in a small shared public space.

one of those situations where one protected characteristic confronts another - and the outcome of that's not always pretty

Yes I suspect you're right. I also suspect that this is something we're going to see more and more in the coming years tbh, where the rights being confronted are invariably those of women, and the outcome is invariably the compromising or removal of those rights.

@HiJenny35 if a women sat down next to me on a plane and got her breasts out over her vest top no baby in sight i would feel uncomfortable as I am sure would many others.

somersetlady

I don’t see why. I suspect formula feeding mothers being asked to hide away their bottles would elicit some furious reactions - there is NOTHING wrong with a breast. So what if it’s over a vest? I always found with vests that to stick DS’ head under involves my stomach being slightly on show which i prefer even less.

if a women sat down next to me on a plane and got her breasts out over her vest top no baby in sight i would feel uncomfortable as I am sure would many others

due to societal conditioning you would feel uncomfortable about a completely natural biological norm. You are in the wrong here, and a mother shouldn’t be shamed or feel in any way restricted because of how society has made you and everyone else feel.