BF on a plane - scared!

[Messing]

Hoping someone can give me advice or reassurance:

In 2 weeks, DH and I are taking 4 month old DS to Vancouver for 3 weeks to visit his family. This was booked a while ago, and I didn't really think about the issues of taking a young baby on a long-haul flight.

Now, I'm getting more and more by the day. I'm panicking about BFing on an aeroplane, as I'm not confident doing it in public. (Not that there's anything wrong with BF in public, it's just I don't seem to be able to do it discreetly.) I have also heard stories of women being told by cabin crew to cover up/go to the loos and do it...and that makes me even more worried.

Any advice or good experiences to reassure me it won't be as horrific as I'm imagining?

Nobody will ask you to go and feed in a loo. If they did I think the newspapers would be very interested...
You will be discreetly ignored by all.

It will be fine, anyway it has to be. A child crying for milk will make you forget any concerns.

Having been through it, and since done long haul (12 hrs) with my dd at 8 months and again at 2.5 yrs I can honestly say I would not give a milliseconds worry over bf a young baby.

I BF my DS on a plane when he was 4mo, going to Italy and never had any problems from cabin crew. Don't worry - it will all be fine!

It's by far the easiest and best way to travel! Vest top and floaty blouse and you can barely see anything. Window seat to latch on, I went and sat at the back on a flight to France as there was more room. I told air hostess I needed some privacy to breast feed and I got a whole row to myself. It's no hassle at all, and like everyone has said, no one will care as long as the baby isn't crying!!

DD was 4 months when we flew to LA. Yup, just me and her which seemed like such a great idea at the time

It was fine. In fact was sitting next to a lovely couple, actually next to the man, and it was only 4 hours into the flight that he realized I was b/fing!

Sit next to the window if you are self conscious, but seem to recall that the flight to Vancouver has a period when the cabin lights go dim, and no one will be able to see you anyway.

I flew to Australia with my 6 mo old DS and found that not only were the cabin crew absolutely brilliant, but the other passengers were also great. People cooed over DS and some offered to walk him up and down on the way back even though he was crying his head off (teething)! No way will you be asked to feed in a toilet. Long haul flight crew are very up on this sort of things and will help you protect your privacy. This is actually a great age to do a long haul flight as they will sleep a lot and aren't mobile.

As other people have said, layers are the way to go. I would consider looking at breastfeeding tops if you are nervous about feeding in public, though you can also just use vest tops under other tops and pull one up and one down (or unbutton). I would also say wear something patterned if possible - I wore a black top thinking it would be best, and came off the flight covered in milk and food stains all of which showed up beautifully.

We went to Cyprus when DS was 5 months old. Never had a problem with BFing.

Will be fine.

Wear a large cardigan and a baggy top. Take also a few muslins. No one will be able to see anything. Get your DH to sit at the side you are feeding from - and then switch seats when its time to switch breast! If you are really worried buy one of those bf apron things.

I echo the point about spare clothes - I bf my DD was 1 hour 30 mins London to Glasgow - she latched on before take off and didn't come off until we landed and then she threw up!

I took 6 month old dd to the US and back, bf both ways. It was fine. Outwards we were Upper Class so that we could lie down together. Ask for a seatbelt extenders which clips to your own belt. Unsecured babies are known as 'rockets' by cabin crew as they can shoot off your lap during turbulence. You would not be able to hold onto them any more than you could in a car. I was able to feed dd even with the belt attached.

Just thought I would add a comment though it's belated I'm sure other mums will read the topic. I too was worried at first but I have now BF on several long-haul flights without a problem. I bought this breastfeeding top and found that it was really discreet and comfortable for the journey. Would also recommend a window seat or seat next to your travelling partner for extra shielding if you feel self conscious. Didn't have any negative comments... most passengers are simply pleased if babies don't make lots of noise!! Take lots of entertaining toys! I was complimented lots on my well behaved baby as we waited to disembark!

this is all really helpful as am flying to prague on tuesday with dh and 4 month old DS. we're flying wizz air so unreserved seating - am praying the flight isn't full so we can have a 3 seat bit to ourselves. can't decide whether to sit at the front for more space or whether someone is more likely to sit with us there. not so worried about discretion, more about space.

You really will be fine- I was dreading taking DS on 12hr flight (with teenage sister, who was actually more help than I had thought!) at 5m. we were delayed, had to take 3 connections... it was a long journey but bf made it a lot easier. NEVER heard of being asked to feed in the toilets. No one was at all bothered by me bf, when he was 5m or the next time when he was 15m and still feeding a lot.

Definitely get a bulkhead seat with bassinet (or a sort of deck chair thing for bigger babies), take spare clothes for ALL the travelling party, lots of muslins and blanket. Really, I would rather take a tiny baby than the rampaging toddler I will be embarking with (same journey) in three weeks' time...

Woodlands - don't know if Wizz Air will let you board first as you have DS with you (ask at checkin just in case) but if not, get DH to zoom off ahead and bagsie the seats you want, take bags etc so you just have yourself and DS to worry about.

I personally prefer sitting close to the front but others prefer further back. I don't think anyone will choose to sit beside you if you have a baby unless the flight is full. (sure your DS is lovely but others might want to give you more space!)

We flew with DD first at 5m and have flown lots with her since, BF her until 15m so always BF on planes. Definitely get a window seat, I found it comfier to put up the armrest between me and DH. I used a pashmina-type thing to cover up with and to keep the AC off DD as it can get cold. At that age DD just conked out after a quick feed and slept for most of the flight.

thanks. yes, i#m sure no one would choose to sit with a couple with a baby if they don't have to! i was a bit concerned about the width of the seats - have tried bfing on the tube but the seats weren't wide enough - but i'm sure i'll manage.

Did it on the plane to Canada (Ontario) or return to UK at 10 weeks, 15 weeks, 8 months and 9 months.

At that age is should be easier as they are more likely to latch on when you want them to. My 8 month old wasn't having it the second time I flew with her so I had a cup of water as well.

I flew to Australia and back with my 2.5 month and (on return ) 4 month old girl with Etihad, on my own.

I was in the middle most of the time with someone either side. I felt a tiny bit funny with a middle aged arab (nothing against him, just in terms of getting my boob while the rest of the women on plane have veils on their faces)

It wasnt an issue. I just slightly twisted to the other side (lady with another baby) for the latch on and got on with it.

The worries are all in your own mind i find. If you dont worry about it, its not as though anyone is going to say anything to you. You dont know or need to know what anyone thinks.

I reminds me of a theory i have for peeing somewhere people can see you. Just done make eye contact. If you cant see them, they cant see you. Obviously very different to feeding as there should never be a problem with it, but if you ae feeling uncomfortable for whatever reason......

I flew from Sydney to London with my DS at 10 weeks. The plane was so busy that I had people either side of me (was flying on my own) and the chair arms were so tight that I didn't have room to feed him!!! In the end I had to use the loo (flight attendants were terrible to be honest). Anyway, not meaning to scare anyone, but just to say - though obviously not ideal, even feeding in the loos wasn't that bad.

My top tip is breast pads, even if you've stopped leaking!! It must be the air pressure, I embarrassingly leaked all over my top, two big circles, and gad to wear my jumper the whole flight!! I was fragrant to say the least after 30 hours travel. Oh, this is bringing back memories!

ooh thanks for the tip pizza - I am just getting to the point where i often don't bother with breast pads. will make sure i remember on tuesday!

I flew to the US with a BF 4 month old. My dh was sitting on one side of me, on my other side was a priest! He didn't bat an eye ~(or at least didn't say anything).

My kids have always done massive poos on planes, and it's such a pain to change in a plane loo!

BFing on planes is great. If you are really worried about people seeing, (and its very hard to avoid people seeing - after take off because people walking past) then invest in a bebe au lait type nursing cover. Agree most modest in window seat although you might not be able to choose because best to get bassinet.

BF DD aged 6 months on a flight to Barcelona - was fine, actually don't think the chap I was sitting right next to noticed.

Also, if you have unreserved seating on a short haul flight, even the crappiest airlines usually give you priority boarding if you have a baby, so you can rush (with the other parents and babies!) to the seat of your choice. Did this with Easyjet on the said Barcelona flight.

Hi everyone,

I will have to fly with my 4 months old baby soon too and I am a bit apprehensive.

I am mostly scared that I won't be able to breastfeed during take off and landing if she is attached to my seat belt with such a baby belt. Are there any tricks that I should know?

Also I'm worried about how painful it will be for the baby with the pressure even with breastfeeding. Were all your babies OK or did they cry a lot?

And I worry about all the bacteria lingering around in the airplane with all the recycled air and so many people.

Mh, basically I worry about everything. Can you tell this is my first baby?

Any tips would still be great.

Thanks all,

T

Hi Trudy,
I didn't feed on take off or landing - I couldn't work out a way to do it with the lapstrap thing, but my DS didn't bat an eyelid, not even a squeak. I had a dummy at the ready as I thought that would help with ear-popping if not able to feed, but as I said, not needed at all.

I can see where you're coming from with the recycled air and germs hanging round, but not much you can do about that one! My DS and I were both fine after our trip (Sydney to Heathrow, almost 30 hours on the plane), perhaps that reassures you?

Good luck, sure it will be fine.

You might be able to phone ahead and get one of the seats at the front, sit by the window so you are "shielded" by DH. Wear a voluminous top that you can drape.

Who knows, if there is room you might get an upgrade if you have trouble with the lack of space :)

Trudyla - I'm sure I did feed during take off and landing even with DD in the strap thing - from what I can remember it's acutally quite loose and I could easily swivle DD round to feed (she was 6 mths at the time). I think the strap is just to stop them flying round the cabin in turbulence rather than actually firmly strap them to do).

My DD didn't seem at all bothered by the pressure, even during take off and landing (I didn't feed for the whole of both). I was more worried about boredom so we took lots of little snacks (had just started weaning) and toys!

Re germs: have you thought about all those car fumes your DC inhales every time you walk down the street? And what about all those sick people he/ she gets exposed to if you go to the doctors? And all those snotty, germy babies at classes and baby groups? And people on public transport, well, full of colds at this time of year. And all those undesirable things which your DC probably puts in his / her mouth all the time. . I'm sure your DC will be fine for a flight.

I just got back from a trip with my 19mo DS where I had a cancelled flight. Once we were finally on a plane he screamed blue murder because he was so tired, and wouldn't sit on my lap at all - the only thing that finally managed to conk him out was to BF him. I had a seat at the back next to the loos and there was a queue, but nobody batted an eyelid or noticed at all.

I don't really BF DS in public very often any more (don't really need to as he's happy to not bother) but on flights it can be very useful. Don't worry about it - if it's a choice between a miserable baby and BFing then BF wins every time. I've had nothing but support from flight staff and nobody has ever commented on it, even when it's been a strapping 19mo boy rather than a little baby!

Flying with babies/children can be a bit stressful, but you soon learn to deal with everything and it's amazing how quickly you develop a brass neck about feeding while travelling. Most people are very supportive and if you do have an awful journey, then there will be a lot of people on the flight that will have experienced exactly the same thing. 4mo is a good age for flying - they often conk out soon after take-off!

Just wait til DS is a toddler...