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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Nursing and flying

16 replies

nyldn · 13/10/2014 15:17

hi! looking for some advice-

I'll be flying alone on an 8hr flight with my 16 week old at the beginning of Dec. We got the bulkhead seat with cot so we'll have a bit of space.

DS and i have had an uphill journey with BF and are finally exclusively on the breast now. it took about 5.5-6 weeks. He is flailing and fussy at times and lays across my lap all stretched out. Screams til he burps before switching sides.

i have not nursed in public yet, and the small space on a flight without DH there as a buffer makes me nervous.

Any advice on discreet nursing on flights? thanks!

OP posts:

Heels99 · 13/10/2014 15:19

By nursing do you mean breastfeeding?

Original poster

nyldn · 13/10/2014 15:23

yes

OP posts:

TinyTear · 13/10/2014 15:26

just go for it!

i did with my dd at 10w and then 7 months (albeit on short haul 3h flights) and was in the aisle seat both times and no one dared to complain. in a flight the pilot even came to tell me when they would start the depressurisation so I knew when to start to protect my DD's ears...

good luck and enjoy

Justgotosleepnow · 13/10/2014 15:29

Practise in front of a mirror to check what boobage is actually on show, if that's what you are worried about.
It's probably not much, and not for long.
Also practise out in cafés etc, so you are practised keeping calm.
But remember you have the right to breastfeed wherever you as a woman have a right to be.

PenguinsIsSleepDeprived · 13/10/2014 16:01

I would agree with public practice. Will get your confidence up for the plane.

hubbahubster · 13/10/2014 19:48

If you are nervous, you can always get a nursing cover thingy or use a scarf/blanket. And YY to practising a bit first.

JustPretending · 13/10/2014 19:55

It's cold on planes - a pashmina to cover you and baby and keep the cabin chill off is indispensable. And an open jacket or coat to cover side boon. It helps little ears to feed during takeoff and landing - seatbelt signs are on then so you'll be less exposed as everyone will beconfined to their seats, rather than strolling about.

Allisgood1 · 13/10/2014 19:58

Invest in some h&m nursing tops and practice. No one will see.

TheABC · 13/10/2014 20:06

YY to snuggling together under a light blanket or cover. If you don't have a nursing top, you can always use a strappy vest with a nice cardigan or a comfortable T shirt you can pull up. On show cleavage will be minimal with a little practice. :-)

VeryLittleGravitasIndeed · 13/10/2014 20:21

I found wearing a large drapey top helped a lot while I was breastfeeding on a plane - DD could hide under it and she got less distracted that way - she fell asleep under it so I just left her there for most of the flight. Baby ear mufflers might also help to encourage settling.

waddleandtoddle · 13/10/2014 20:37

I second a very light and very large screening blanket that can't be kicked off - I used to wrap the corner around my bra strap. Your baby will enjoy all the cuddles and with the blanket I wouldn't worry on a flight putting yourself too properly away - until you have to do the nappy change. Two things to be prepared for - pressured let down (I'm sure sprayed the ceiling hence recommendation of large thin)light scarf) and just have single nappies and wipes easy to hand so you don't have to lug a baby and change bag to the loos. Babies fly so easy - enjoy!!

EmilyGilmore · 13/10/2014 20:41

I'm really sorry you feel self-conscious about bfing in public. You should just go for it. It's just skin, brilliant skin that is growing your baby - be out and proud!

Booboostoo · 13/10/2014 20:59

Breast feeding is the best thing for flying with babies - with a bit of luck all your baby will do is feed and sleep and you won't have to figure out how to prepare formula. The tight quarters in the plane will work to your advantage because hardly anyone will be able to see what you are doing anyway. Do consider breast feeding in public, I've had nothing but positive comments and many people find it a very enjoyable sight as it reminds them of their children when they were young.

Original poster

nyldn · 13/10/2014 21:38

thanks everyone! I'm not so much nervous about bf itself, more that my DS is a big boy, just getting bigger and spreads himself out fully and howls if I try to contain him at all! don't want to encroach on the person next me. he also won't comfort suck. if he's not hungry, my breast is basically repulsive to him!

OP posts:

Booboostoo · 14/10/2014 12:16

If you can afford it get a seat for him as trying to keep him on your lap is going to be tough and,let's be honest, the person next to you will have a tough time.

Imeg · 14/10/2014 12:56

I flew on my own recently with my 5 month old, only a short domestic flight, but it was easier than I thought. Assuming all airlines are the same, they give you an extension belt to strap round the baby's waist and attach to your seatbelt. But I found I could still feed him easily enough with him sitting on my lap facing me, so personally I would strap him in that way round rather than facing outwards.
Also, the cabin crew pointed out to the person in the seat next to me that there was an empty seat elsewhere, and he moved to mutual relief I suspect!
The worst bit was a poo explosion halfway along but due to aforementioned empty seat I could change him on the seat next to me (tiny propeller plane so no baby changing facilities).
I bought the cheap Tesco pushchair (it's about £20) so I could fold it up with one hand while holding the baby. I also took a sling which was fortunate as we had to climb stairs at the airport on arrival so they didn't bring the pushchair to the plane for me.
Other passengers were really helpful and helped me put my stuff through security and got my luggage off the carousel for me.

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