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?

Spot the difference?

Can you not see why some people from other generations/cultures might be comfortable in close proximity in a public space to one of these feeding mothers yet not the other?

I don't think covering up with something light is unreasonable personally. You can breastfeed discretely without being in someone's face in an enclosed environment.

That first picture youve shared is obviously someone at home. No women feed in public like that!

I'm going away with 7 month old in Oct and fully intend to breastfeed I would be so angry if anyone said anything!

Remember the story a few months ago about the delayed flight and the parents ran out of formula for their baby and a flight attendant breastfed the baby. Bet no one complained then!

Hope KLM don't pin this on minorities, even Saudi Arabia encourages breastfeeding in public. From wiki:

Even though women can not show any part of their body in public, breastfeeding is an exception. It is common for women to breastfeed in malls and parks, and it is acceptable among the people in Saudi Arabia.

The people who are offended or feel uncomfortable about a woman breastfeeding could always cover their head? Then they can’t see anything.

Should we all use air travel naked in that case @crispysausagerolls or be allowed to wonder round with no clothes on whenever we felt like it? Why are their laws about urinating in public after all a man who ises his penis to wee is only doing what nature intended. prehaps KLM should offer him a cup to pee in whilst he is sat next to you on a plane?

All i am saying is that i think feeding discreetly is respectful to those around you. Understanding that (rightly or wrongly) to some cultures or older generations they may genuinely feel uncomfortable.

I can equate what im trying to say with in ireland i would always cover my body with a towel in a ladies pool changing area. In the uk I’d walk round butt naked. I’m not ashamed of my body but i am respectful of those who evidently feel very differently about how comfortable they are being naked or seeing nakedness in a communal space. Which is pretty damn uncomfortable for a variety of social and religious reasons of a certain group of women over a certain age.

Awful!
Obvs pissing in cup is different - that for a start is unhygenic.

Im pretty relaxed when im out and about feeding, if you dont want to see a baby eating- dont look. Im not covering my baby because you're an idiot.

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.

That might have been me you saw in London. Amazing you could read my mind and knew I was looking around to see who was looking at me!

Why oh why are people so freaked out by tits???

@NEtoN10 that you’ve seen. As i explained i have seen this openess in fact more as it was over a vest top in both London and Brighton. I can understand why some people would be uncomfortable with it.

I have fed on many many flights both DCs from 8 weeks old both long haul and short haul on a variety of airlines and never had a problem or a comment within ear shot made. Thank Goodness for feeding tops that made ME feel comfortable enough to feed in public anytime, anywhere.

somerset

As I said before - I personally am conscientious and I cover up to feed. However the idea that I MUST do that or I SHOULD infuriates me. Mounting some sort of social pressure on breastfeeding mothers to make sure they don’t offend others is hideous. Likening pissing in public to breastfeeding is shocking. Why should women be allowed to wear extremely revealing clothing and that is socially acceptable because no nipple is on show but a breast or nipple popped out isn’t ok? Walking around naked or peeing in public aren’t necessary. Feeding a baby is necessary. Covering up is not always practical or appropriate and we don’t live in the dark ages where women ought to be forced to do things. No wonder breastfeeding rates in this country are so fucking low.

Jesus! I've often breastfed on a plane. People around me appeared that relieved it stopped the wailing of the child...

Wow, the way the seats are packed together these 'complainers' must have been craning their necks to have a right gander! Seriously, the person to either side can't see anything, so who sitting where is complaining????

@HenSolo i cant answer for large groups of people but I’d imagine social conditioning, religious followings, body insecurity to name a few.

Okay great well that's your experience just the same as I live in London in what seems like a 99% BFing area and I've never seen a whole boob exposed.

The irony of KLM is that you can have sex with a woman from a window in NL but it's barely acceptable to feed your baby in what could be a disorientating experience for them....

Somersetlady
Anyone whose sensitivities are offended by either of those photos needs to give their head a wobble.

I've caught glimpse of a full boob out feeding and done the awkward look away thing because I don't want the woman to think I'm weird (which probably looks more weird actually ), but they're just feeding their baby.

It's ridiculous that someone could sit on a plane reading a top shelf magazine with tits galore in sexualised attire and nobody would say anything but a baby feeding might be 'offensive'.

In some cultures women showing their face is offensive. Shall we make all women wear a mask in case it offends someone's sensibilities?

That made me giggle, queef

Somersetlady I've only ever known women flop a whole boob out to feed in adverts or teaching leaflets. Never seen anyone do it in public, irl.

I'd like to request that noisy eaters, in particular sweet slurpers, find a soundproof room in which to do so because I find those revolting noises extremely offensive to my ears.

Well I didn't much like KLM to begin with, won't bother booking with them after that.

If anyone feels uncomfortable with a baby feeding then to enable people from all backgrounds to feel comfortable KLM should supply covers to pop over these people’s head so they can’t be seen by baby or mother- no one wants to see a dick head on a KLM flight

@HenSolo your argument is bf is only doing what nature intended your breast to do.

Following that line of thought surely there are many things our body naturally do yet that are not done in public because as a society over time the social niceties dictate we don't.

I won’t bother reporting you for calling me out for trolling go ahead and look at my history ive never bothered to name change.

In this case I take covering up to mean being discreet not literally putting a duvet over you and the baby.

Certainly on budget airlines booking a window seat and feeding on the boob next to the window is far more comfortable!

.

I’m surprised that a Dutch airline would have such a policy. I would have expected them to be relaxed and liberal.

@Celebelly - I can equate what im trying to say with in ireland i would always cover my body with a towel in a ladies pool changing area.

Let's add racism to your list of inappropriate attitudes. And yes, I know Irish are not a race but nationality is included in the definition in discrimination legislation so that's why I use the word.

@LolaSmiles i would imagine many people would feel very uncomfortable with your scenario and complain if this was the person sitting next to them. I certainly would get up and ask to be moved immediately!!!

It's ridiculous that someone could sit on a plane reading a top shelf magazine with tits galore in sexualised attire and nobody would say anything