At first blush, I thought, that is so stupid for the airline to respond like that. A perfectly normal act, what a bunch of uptight asses.

But then on the other hand, why couldn't the mother cover up, be sensitive to others, and their concerns. Really, this mother decided it was more important to make a statement, not get her kid fed till later, and complicate her plans, than it was to just comply with the request and deal with the issue later through legal channels etc.

Heck, most religions don't like public nudity. Many older citizens may not care for it. And maybe parents don't want their kids seeing it. Are they screwed up, yeah probably. But who says Ms breastfeeder gets to decide what they have to live with.

This is more a case of being insensitive and self-centered, than it is about public breastfeeding.

My guess is, Ms breastfeeder will win this case if there is to be a case, but that doesn't mean the way she handled it was right.

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." Leo Tolstoy.

...is back asswards.

"It is a rare mind indeed that can render the hitherto non-existent blindingly obvious. The cry 'I could have thought of that' is a very popular and misleading one, for the fact is that they didn't, and a very significant fact it is too."

to being sensitive and considerate of others, something that happens less and less in this country.

I wonder how she or any woman might feel if some guy started taking pics of them breastfeeding? How about posting them on the internet?

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." Leo Tolstoy.

Wash. Revised Code § 9A.88.010 (2001) states that the act of breastfeeding or expressing breast milk is not indecent exposure. (HB 1590)

"She grew on him like she was a colony of E.Coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef."

...so that we could live in a society in which mothers could feed their babies in the healthiest, most loving way.

I have women in my office all the time (at least a couple times a week) breastfeeding their baby while I'm having a conversation with them. There is nothing indecent, unnatural or even odd about it. If you are uncomfortable being in the presence of a women breastfeeding a child, then you should do a little introspection into the source of this feeling, rather than blaming or targeting women.

It is about exposure. Modern culture has separated us from normal human functions to the point where someone can claim that they are making a sacrifice to keep a gun concealed. Guns are machines for violently propelling a small piece of metal into the body of another human being. Carrying one in public is an overt act of intimidation. The very thought that you can look at it as a concession does not reflect well on your value system.

I really think it should be the choice of the mom how much she wants to cover up. There is an implication when you ask moms to "be discreet" that somehow what she's doing is shameful, deeply private, or sexual. People really take this to heart, and its the reason why many women choose not to breastfeed. (Which of course, they are chastised for.)

Lucky for us, the state of Washington protects our right to breastfeed as boldly or as quietly as we feel comfortable with, any time, any where.

I happen to be a sort of bold breastfeeder. I breastfeed a very active child. Covering up while nursing him would be like wrestling an alligator, and I really couldn't be arsed. I rarely have problems of people being rude about it. I think mostly it doesn't bother people because I am not nervous about it, so they aren't. The people who are uncomfortable are considerate enough not to mention it to me.

In many other countries, breasts are not considered sex organs as they are in the US, so there is not the same taboo about breastfeeding babies. In these countries, moms breastfeed their babies longer than we do, and the health of their children is better as a result.

Food for thought...

Jade

Unlike sex, breastfeeding is not something that should happen only behind closed doors. Babies cannot choose to abstain from nourishment, but we can choose to abstain from sex. Breastfeeding is not a sexual act. Those of you who can't take breasts out of the realm of sex really need to challenge yourself on this. Consider that breasts are no more sexual than mouths.

Unlike urinating or defecating in public, breastfeeding is not a public health risk, it has no offensive odor, and it is not disgusting.

These comparisons are derogatory and hurtful.

Jade

I don't have a problem with public breastfeeding whatsoever.

But... I still believe in that little concept called modesty. It's one thing to throw a blanket and snuggle up with baby, and another to just throw it on out there for the entire world to see. I also remember reading about many women using the lavatory for nursing on airline flights.    

I'm not into the lavatory/bathroom idea. I'd rather be embarassed, and make no mistake, I will be, than think of a woman breastfeeding in a place like that. 

"You will be different, sometimes you'll feel like an outcast, but you'll never be alone. You will make my strength your own. You will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine...."

It wasn't meant to be a punchline enpen or even remotely humorous.  

Doesn't mean I'm supporting something like that or even agreeing with it, just mentioning that I had seen it in articles.

I think you need to read my posts again, where did I say I have anything against breastfeeding? I have merely been pointing out this particular case is symptomatic of society today. Its the ME generation. If it's good for me, good and screw you.

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." Leo Tolstoy.

So it just struck me that a couple of people who mentioned local youth needing to just suck it up and deal as they live a relatively easy life compared to kids in the ghetto are now condoning people not sucking it up (bad pun, I know) and dealing with seeing a woman breastfeed in public.

I feel like laughing and feeling sad at the same time.

"It is a rare mind indeed that can render the hitherto non-existent blindingly obvious. The cry 'I could have thought of that' is a very popular and misleading one, for the fact is that they didn't, and a very significant fact it is too."

There was no changing table on the flight. Believe me, I was pretty incensed. I am not beyond laying my baby on the counter next to a sink, or on a blanket on a restroom floor (though it makes me grit my teeth), but of course, this would be impossible in an airplane bathroom, so I had little choice. And the plane was full, so there were no empty seats I could use.

From the sound of the article, I don't think the mom was waggling her breasts all over the airplane like she was at a rock concert. SHe was sitting in a window seat, next to her husband, nursing discreetly.

Basically, the flight attendant happened to have a pretty extreme concept of modesty. Its fine for her to have a personal code of modesty that is stricter than the mainstream. If someone chooses to wear ankle-length dresses, can't wear a swimsuit, and wants to nurse her baby in airplane bathrooms, that is 100% her right. And if I were a flight attendant on her flight, I would be sure and provide her with a blanket.

But her rights do not extend to the right to manage every person around her. Just because someone is offended by something, doesn't mean there needs to be a rule or law to protect them from it, nor does it mean other people should accomidate it in all circumstances.

I don't think the mother was being selfish, I think the flight attendant was being selfish. That's what its called when you try to force the whole world to conform to your value system, regardless of the shame, inconvenience, or negative public health impact you may be causing.

If I were in that mom's shoes, I know I would do the same, and I would view that as a protection of other mothers and babies rights (sheepdog action), not as some obnoxious juvenile personal statement. I'm sure it offended people when Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus, but that doesn't mean her actions were selfish and insensitive.

I've seen people with crude tattoos on their arms, and I may have felt a bit offended by the content, but I don't go around insisting that people cover up around me or I'm going to take action.I recognize that not everyone is going to share my values.

Of course, there is a line somewhere where it makes sense to have some common agreements about decency. I think that its reasonable for people to expect to be sheltered from crude sexual content, or extreme violence in public. But breastfeeding does not make the cut for me, and I am rather offended that people categorize it as indecent behavior.