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EAT => Breast Feeding => Topic started by: llr on December 13, 2007, 15:38:37 pm

Title: breastfeeding and flying
Post by: llr on December 13, 2007, 15:38:37 pm
I plan to breastfeed 10 mo old DD on take-off and landing when we fly soon.  Seems perfect to me-- will help her ears and no one moving around to see us.  However, I read on a webpage about traveling with babies that she's supposed to be sitting in my lap, or held in a burping position during take-off and landing.  Does anyone have any recent experiences with this?  It's a US domestic flight.  Should I bring something else for her to drink?  I expect a bottle would be better than a sippy cup for her ears, but she has almost no experience with them. 
Title: Re: breastfeeding and flying
Post by: Sharondp on December 13, 2007, 15:41:57 pm
As we live on an island, I've flown a lot with my 2 boys, and I've never been questioned about feeding them on take off & landing.
I didn't know they had to be in a certain position - and anyway, when you're about to take off and land, the stewards are seated too - so not a lot they can do about you feeding!
Just a tip - get a window seat on the side you intend to feed from, or DD will get a bit squashed, and will intrude on the person sat next to you - doesn't matter if they're a travelling companion I guess!
Title: Re: breastfeeding and flying
Post by: Jemima's mum on December 13, 2007, 16:16:45 pm
Just come back from a trip with my almost 9m baby.  We breastfed on takeoff and used a sippy cup on landing on the way there and breastfed on the way back.  The infant seatbelt they give you to attach to your seatbelt is loose enough to put your baby on their side for breastfeeding.  Have a good holiday!
Title: Re: breastfeeding and flying
Post by: lisi's mum on December 13, 2007, 17:19:05 pm
I've even had stewards tell me to bf during take off and landing as we got on the plane!
Title: Re: breastfeeding and flying
Post by: SiestaNoMore on December 13, 2007, 18:00:27 pm
I flew with my DS when he was only 6 weeks old. The stewardess did explain the upright position for the baby....but didn't say anything (or didn't notice?) when I nursed DS for take off and landing. Seemed to help too as DS was good for both.
Title: Re: breastfeeding and flying
Post by: aisling on December 13, 2007, 18:31:46 pm
Just remember with the landing, that it is not actually the landing on the ground part, but the 30-40 min dissent that hurts one's ears. Of course during this time, you have to be in your seat, and belted with baby facing you, but they will not have a prob with you BF'ing them, I did loads of times.  On the take off, they check to make sure all is safe, but then they go and sit in their seats, so if you BF they won't even notice, and as long as you put your child into the safety position if any complications arise upon take off our landing.  We didn't use one, but friends used the paci for sucking action.  I used the sippy of water too. HTH.

Aisling x
Title: Re: breastfeeding and flying
Post by: Samuel's mum on December 14, 2007, 10:00:39 am
When the infant seatbelt is on you can twist their bodies so they are in a regular nursing position and as a pp says the staff are all belted in by then anyway. I've never had a problem. But to be honest I didn't really notice Sam in particular discomfort during flights - and we've flown quite a bit. I don't think the ear pressure stuff happens as much as it once did.
Title: Re: breastfeeding and flying
Post by: aisling on December 14, 2007, 13:10:35 pm
I agree with Emma.  In the last 10 yrs I can't remember my ears hurting and I flew during that time at least 20 x year (work and pleasure) The last flight I remember was landing into Marrakesh on BA from London and that was because the dissent was long as there was a sand storm! Good luck.

A x