Can I breastfeed on an airplane?
Oh yes. You can actually breastfeed on an airplane. In fact, babies need to be nursed when you are taking off and landing because it helps their little ears equalize, they do not have pain on their ears. It is so much easier. I dreaded the day that my kids were not breastfeeding when I was flying. And remember, that was a long time ago. So, some people have lots of tricks to how they do it especially if they are travelling with their husband. They book the aisle on the window. And then if there is anybody that is coming down the aisle and there is a baby and they won't sit there and they will have a little extra space. But if the flight is full like mine was last night. Then they just say to the person, “Oh, would you care for the window or the aisle, we will move together. Putting the woman next to the window is often easier because she can turn away if she wants to which latching the baby on. The woman who has the most trouble nursing in public, for me, is the woman who has difficulty with her latch. It takes two hands and so if she needs to do that she can turn away. We strongly encouraged them to wear their babies in slings so they can nurse while walking up and down the aisle and nobody would even know. And to get some skill level before they go on a plane. Practicing at home until they get that latch let their husband watch to see, “Can you see my breast,” just a little game of it. Like, yes you can nurse on an airplane and it is so helpful when they are fussy. Again, men are more supportive. And I think a lot of people…so many women can breastfeed and you do not even know what they are doing. It is such a quiet ballet between mother and baby if you will that I think a lot of people do not even realize that until it is over. Or the little joke that the lady says to the man next to her, “I am nursing and I need to do that to help the ears.” And the guy said, “Darn, all these years I have been chewing gum.” I guess I could say, would you like to hear my baby scream or would you like me to feed my baby. The choice would be obvious for both of us if ever we are on an aeroplane. I had a mom coming on the plane behind me last night - she had her stroller, she had her baby on a carrier, and I said, “What can I do to help you?” And she said, “Oh, I am pretty good at this already. I have done it four times this weekend. I am fine, I will yell if I need help.” So I always offer and try to help her.
