Hello Molly,

I've been thinking a lot about this since the Delta (Freedom  
Airlines) incident a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if this will  
help, but here are some thoughts:

1/ Why didn't the flight attendant ask the minors to stop being so  
rude or at least discuss it with their parents (if they were on  
board)? It's almost as if it's okay for a woman to be harassed, but  
not for a baby to nurse. very strange etiquette for a flight....

2/ Most women who nurse in public are considered to be breaking a  
taboo and are often asked to cover up themselves or their babies by  
people who find it inappropriate. yet, these same people who find it  
offensive don't blink when they see breasts used to sell beer, cars,  
etc. i think it's very important that the couple in question stress  
that a breastfeeder is NOT a sexual pervert, nor comparable to a  
flasher. Furthermore, even if a breast is "exposed" that is not a  
reason to publicly humiliate a woman. Quote legislation (if  
available) to make this point. Are women who wear "sexy" shirts asked  
to cover themselves? Are photographs on on-board magazines censored  
to cover women "exposing" themselves? I think if the flight attendant  
was honest, it's not the so-called exposed breast that is offensive  
to him/her, but rather the baby nursing.

3/ If the couple is serious about their complaint, I suggest they  
repeatedly state that they are now very angry. The response from the  
airline is misleading and hypocritical. It adds insult to injury! Get  
angry. Show them other people are angry. Breastfeeding in public is  
here to stay. It is a protected right in several areas. The flight  
attendant messed up and the airline MUST apologize.

This situation is terrible and I sincerely wish the couple (and baby)  
get the apology their deserve.

Celia
Montréal (Canada)
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