Nursing on Airplane

Chris - posted on 04/05/2009

We took our son for his fist plane ride and nursed him without any problems what so ever. The flight attendants smiled as they passed and the other passengers seated next to us didn't seem to care at all.

Emily - posted on 04/05/2009

I work for an airline, if you call and the flight is not full, you can pre-reserve a window seat now. If it is full, make sure you ask an agent when you check in at the airport.

Chantel - posted on 04/05/2009

Don't worry one bit!!!!  People on a plane like a quiet baby, and will enjoy your attention to your baby much more than any uncomfortable feeling with your nursing.

Nurse baby when you take off, and when you land.  You can ask for a window seat and see if you can get the seat next to you to stay empty or buy the bulkhead seat.

Nurse your baby and don't worry about bottles or pumping one bit!!!!

Another thing that helps a lot is wearing your baby both in the airport and on the plane, and you can use your sling to cover if you wish, as a blanket or a pillow if needed and to help carry things such as wallet, ticket, id and so forth!

On a personal note.  I flew with my then 2 year old who was nursing and flew on a 7 across jumbo between Atlanta and Florida.  I was placed between 2 men in a middle seat in the center row.  I nursed my son, he was quiet and while one of the gentleman was a bit uncomfortable it really wasn't a big deal.  A few seats back a mother had her 1 year old who wouldn't take her bottle and screamed the entire flight.  By the time we landed, both gentlemen were playing with my son and enjoying his happiness.  One of them actually assisted me off the plane and out to meet my sister which was very kind.

Stacy - posted on 04/04/2009

I breastfed my daughter on take off and landing to and from FL... I was lucky that the plane wasn't fully booked and the flight attendent had someone move so I had a free seat next to me, and I asked for a window seat... more privacy. But the gentelmen I sat next to didn't care or say anything. But I use a blanket, I am not sure if not useing a blanket changes much. (My hubby wasn't able to go with me) I hope this helps:)

Leslie - posted on 04/04/2009

honstly i just whiped mine out hahaha i was on a 10 hour flight from newfoundland to calgary and just whiped it out if you dont like it dont look at it hahahaha

 they were nice enough to give me an empty seat next to me the whole time so when she fell asleep i could lay her down!!

Mandi - posted on 04/04/2009

a window seat, and turning towards the window....I guess after having two I am not as scared to nurse in pub as I was with my first one. I just get a little recieving blnkt and drap it over like your holding her.....seems to work great.

hope it helps

Catherine - posted on 04/03/2009

I nursed my son on the plane when he was 3 months old. I don't know how you feel about nursing in public but I don't have a problem with it so it was easy for me. I didn't pump and I think being close to my body made him feel calm. So if you're okay with nursing in public (and can actually get your milk to flow) then I say don't worry about pumping. However, since you said you wanted to pump to "avoid an akward situation" you probably want to follow through with that. Just do what feels right.

Connie - posted on 04/03/2009

My baby will take a bottle from me with no problem, but after reading everyone's advice, I think I will nurse instead. I have problems with my ears popping on an airplane, so I can only imagine what she'll be going through! Plus, she's very sensitive, so nursing will probably confort her. I will bring a bottle for backup though, just in case.



Thanks everyone for helping me plan and putting my mind at ease!

Kathryn - posted on 04/03/2009

I've always nursed my little guys on the take-off and landings, just to help pop their ears. I do try for window seat, but if there isn't one available, I make do with what's available. If the plane's not full...using the fact you're breastfeeding can be great to landing an empty seat beside you! Not many people want to sit next to someone with a baby anyhow lol.

Allison - posted on 04/03/2009

It's so much easier to nurse on the plane than take a bottle and worry about pumping. Nursing helps their ears during take-off and landing (they can't chew gum like us :-) and if they get fussy or sleepy nursing can keep them quiet and calm - which other passengers and crew really like.

I've nursed on airplanes several times without issue. Just make sure you're wearing a comfortable nursing shirt and sit by the window. People really can't see what's going on and your baby will be much happier - which is really the most important part.

Lauren - posted on 04/03/2009

I bought one of the nursing tops to make it a little easier and then covered us with a blanket.  I also brought my boppy pillow too.  I was not thrilled about doing it on the plane - but you do what you have got to do.  I did it dsuring take off and then offered my pumped bottle for landing. 

You can bring a bottle you pumped through security.  Just declare it. 

Kelly - posted on 04/03/2009

Bebe Au Lait nursing covers are great if you don't want anyone to see you!!!

Brandy - posted on 04/02/2009

I flew to AZ from VA in December and we had to take 2 flights to get there! I have NO qualms nursing on an airplane. The sucking helps their ears to pop when you change altitude. Babies do not like that feeling! Also, nursing provides comfort when in a strange situation. If you are modest, throw a blanket or wear a poncho. It was a real lifesaver for me.

Good luck and God bless

Michelle - posted on 04/02/2009

Frequent Flyer says: Get a window seat and a nursing cover. You could even pin up a blanket between the seats if you want more privacy. You could pump before, but would your baby take a bottle from you? My 10 month old would. You could pump after in the family bathroom at the airport. More room and privacy.

Connie - posted on 04/02/2009

I will be traveling alone, but hopefully the plane won't be full and I can try this. Thanks for the suggestion!

Martina - posted on 04/02/2009

By the time my son was months old we had already taken him on 2 trips (4 plane rides!). I nursed as usual. The biggest help was having a good nursing canopy handy. I recommend one with a stiff wirey side so that you can see what you're doing (mine is a brand called Bebe Au Lait, it's fabulous). I nursed in the airport and on the plane. It was very easy, no one seemed to mind. Good luck!!

Geneva - posted on 04/02/2009

I also nursed my son on several 4-6 hour flights on takeoff & landing & occasionally during flight. I also took the window seat & a nursing cover & my husband sat in the middle seat. If your child takes a pacifier, that can also help with the ear popping. If you don't nurse on the plane, your child should suck on something during takeoff & landing since they don't know how to pop their own ears. the pressure can be really painful. I have a bebe au lait cover that I love - it's cute, has really good coverage, goes on like an apron, & has a stiff top that sort of props open so you can still see your baby but no one els can. As my son got older & wiggled & squirmed & sat up during feedings, I still had enough coverage with this cover.

Krystal - posted on 04/02/2009

i nursed my kids on take off and landing. i didn't have any problems. i just opted for the window seat.

good luck.

Shannon - posted on 04/02/2009

I went on a 4 hr flight when my little guy was 4 months old. I opted to pump because i knew the flight was going to be full and there is almost no room to move around in those cramped airplane seats! The flight attendants were great for warming the bottles and it went pretty well. I just took the milk frozen in the milk freezer storage bags and by the time we were on the plane it was still partially frozen and by the time the flight was over the one left over bag was still very cold. I found it worked very well.

Teresa - posted on 04/02/2009

I've only been on one airplane trip w/ kids and that was when my twins had just turned one.  I nursed them (one at a time) when it was time as they were on a schedule and only nursing a few times/day at that point.  I didn't have a cover or anything.  I just did what needed to be done. :)

Rachel - posted on 04/01/2009

I've nursed on planes several times--it can be a little cramped so its a good idea to figure out the best position to hold babe before the need to nurse arises! I always grab a window seat because it gives you a little more room and helps keep babe's feet and head away from passing people and carts :p Nursing during takeoff and landing can make things a lot easier on the baby since it will help "pop" the ears.

Cassie - posted on 04/01/2009

I nursed my daughter on an airplane ride from Ohio to Texas.  The flight attendants gave me a seat in an empty row as our plane wasn't full.  I then sat next to the window and hooked a blanket behind my seat and hooked the other side of the blanket in the tray table.  I was alone and very uncomfortable but the flight attendants were very helpful and nice.  If your husband will be there, it will be much easier.  Just ask for an aisle alone if it is available!  Good luck on your flight!! My daughter slept right through it all.

Sherree - posted on 04/01/2009

I did it - in fact on the 4 hour flights we were on, I nursed her most of the time to keep her quiet / sleeping. When she was 4 months, we flew 4 hours on the way to Florida and again on the way back and both ways she was lying in my arms latched onto me most of the way. For the most part sleeping, but sometimes just suckling and talking to herself. She discovered that since she was stuck in this seat with Mom and Dad, she would just soothe herself by cooing to herself while her mouth was around my nipple. It was the cutest thing. And it was wonderful because she was so well behaved and we didn't have to entertain her. Then again, a month later we did another 4 hour flight to Mexico and back. On the way there it was difficult because she was teething so didn't know what she wanted to do - she was on and off with nursing and playing the whole trip. I had to watch that she didn't expose me. On the way back she slept in the nursing position for the majority of the flight.

Just bring a blanket to cover yourself. Try to sit by the window with someone you know on your other side (in my case, my husband). Once I had to sit on the aisle and it was awkward because the cart would often knock up against her legs as it went by (or her head was dangerously close to people passing by when she was nursing on the other side).

Britany - posted on 04/01/2009

I recently had a 3 1/2 hour plane ride with my daughter. I nursed on the plane with just a nursing cover. I made sure I had the window seat and my husband sit on the other side of me. No one seemed to notice or mind. It kept her quiet which they were probably thankful for lol. It seemed easier for me on the plane rather than in the airport on our layovers. Just do what makes you comfortable. It was probably the most public place I've personally ever nursed but it really didn't bother me.