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?

if KLM are running flights from the UK they should comply with UK law anyway.

How's that going to work if they fly between the UK and somewhere with completely different laws?

Very easily. In the air it's up to KLM to decide on this issue. Are there actually any countries that forbid breastfeeding?

So if it's up to KLM, then they din't have to follow UK law just because they fly to the UK.

I think the tweet sounds awkward due to it being in somebody's second language. And I don't think their first language was Dutch,

I've had to contact KLM customer services and complaints etc recently. They're actually based in France (because KLM and Air France have merged I think).

I spoke to several people, and while their English was good, it wasn't as natural-sounding as most Dutch people's.

If a teenager gets turned on by a glimpse of my stretch-mark-riddled boob with a baby hanging off it then more power to him...

celebelly

Yes! My breasts are so awful and shrivelled and papery skinned that I literally don’t think of them as sexual or attractive!

'militant breastfeeders do it just to get a reaction'

Oh FFS

Genuine question: where are these 'militant breastfeeders'? In 33 years of being on this planet, I don't think I've ever seen one is this an 'only on Mumsnet' thing?

Good god. As if breastfeeding isn't hard enough between establishing a latch after potentially days of labour, doing all the night feeds with no help, slathering yourself with Lansinoh, spending a ton of money on breastfeeding tops and bras that require a physics degree to operate, and being bitten when they get teeth... we also have to contend with other women bitching about seeing more than a square inch of breast.

I want to be a militant feeder. Do we get a badge? A discount at Seraphine? Lifetime supply of stretchy vests from Primark?

It does depend on circumstances a lot, my sil is very comfortable breastfeeding and isn't discreet, doesn't bother me but I see the shock on older relatives faces, on a plane being asked to use a scarf for modesty is not unreasonable as long as politely requested. It's essential that breastfeeding is allowed, let's not make it a case of them stopping it because a handful of women want to sit on a plane essentially half topless. I've fed on planes is possibly to be discreet and comfortable.

where are these 'militant breastfeeders'? In 33 years of being on this planet, I don't think I've ever seen one

There was this one, but that's also all I've seen: www.mommyish.com/elicia-binman-breastfeeding-in-front-of-formula-booth-picture/

the militant breastfeeders do it just to get a reaction

They really don’t. And if they did they’d be wasting their time because IME 99 times out of 100 no one gives a second glance anyway.

Setting a dangerous precedent and sending the wrong message.

I am a BFing mother and have no desire to expose myself but you can’t feed a baby without getting your boob out at some point. Plus my baby promptly pulls off any cover and has a good look around. Should he starve instead?

People who are offended by breastfeeding should be politely asked to look elsewhere. End of. 🤱

Ah, you can fuck right off with your militant breastfeeder jibes. Breastfeeding mums shouldn't have to carry the chip on your shoulder.

@HappyLoneParentDay. You would think! If you rrft there seems to be a number of titfloppers (not my word!) on MN who do!

one of those situations where one protected characteristic confronts another - baby that needs feeding should trump anybody else's sensitivities about not wanting to see a boob. They have this wonderful thing called a neck, which allows them to LOOK fucking AWAY.

I’m confused @Anothertempusername why are you covering your son with a muslin?
I fed for 14 months never a muslin in site but did wear discreet feeding tops where very little breast was exposed. I did this for ME as much as those around me in a public space so i wasn't drawing attention to myself or what i was doing. I just got on with it and happily fed away. No drama.

@edgeofheaven are you being deliberately obtuse?

Does it really have to be tits out loud and proud OR cover my babys head? Why not the easy deeding tops that show so little?

@Somersetlady can I ask your opinion on the image of the Virgin Mary posted earlier? Is she drawing attention to herself?

May I also ask the pp who mentioned militant breastfeeders before if they think that image depicts one?

What is the offensive part of the breast, anyway? It can't be the bulk of it as women can show plenty of cleavage and that's perfectly fine, so it must be the nipple, right? But hold on - there's a baby on the nipple so that won't be visible bar perhaps a second or two. And the baby's head will be blocking most of the boob. So what's actually offensive? What can you actually see when someone has their boob out and a baby on?

@Celebelly KLM are not being discriminatory- they've not said they will stop you just ask that you cover yourself So I don't see the issue - like I said the militant breastfeeders do it just to get a reaction

I've never once come across these people who go to all the trouble of establishing breastfeeding and (horrors) feeding their babies just to get a reaction. IME, people feed their babies because their babies need to be fed.

And why on earth should feeding mothers cover themselves as if what they are doing is shameful? The baby's head covers the nipple and at least as much of the breast as a bikini top does most of the time, and if people can't handle seeing that all they need to do is look away.

So if it's up to KLM, then they din't have to follow UK law just because they fly to the UK.

@Badlad, if you look at my original post on this issue, I acknowledged that it is at least possible that UK law doesn't apply. My point was that, in general, airlines should look to apply the laws of the country they are flying out of in relation to issues like this, not least because those are the laws that most of their passengers will be used to working to and accept.

For fuck sake get a grip. It's a breast.

I admire the ‘titfloppers’ and aspire to be one. I wish I didn’t feel self conscious about that but I do. Are the anti floppers saying that this social message you should feel ashamed of exposing breast whilst feeding baby, is a good thing? Why?

I was feeding 9mo who pops on and off a lot in the library yesterday and every time I looked up a man was watching me. It was gross and I felt uncomfortable. I wasn’t doing anything wrong, he was, but I know I’d have felt more gross if he could see my whole tit. How do the ‘floppers’ deal with that kind of situation (apart from spraying the letdown at him! I really like that suggestion but I’m too scaredy)

@avocadoincident see upthread. You know that breasts ARE sexual too right?

When you’re aroused, the sensitivity of your breasts increases (just like your clitoris!). In fact, when your nipples are sexually stimulated, those sensations travel to the same areas of the brain that respond to genital stimulation, according to research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. This triggers the release of oxytocin, the bonding hormone released when you have an orgasm.

@Somersetlady - with you 100% on this one especially your example pictures above. There is a massive difference