Easyjet flight and breastfeeding

[Fidgetsmum]

Just checked Easyjet's website for our flight tomorrow and it says:

"You can breast feed on board at any time except during take off and landing."

Can anyone a) explain to me why I can't feed my son at the two key times in a flight that you would want to and b) has anyone done it anyway, without any consequences? Tempted to ignore the rules.

[mumof3girlies]

We flew ?easijet or was it ryanair when one of mine was about 8 weeks old and am sure was breastfeeding at one of the take offs/landings, I particularly remember flying with virgin when my middle child was just over 1 and having to feed her at take off as she was quite distressed, the cabin crew didn't bat an eyelid, I think they probably thought she was asleep. It definately soothes them at landing if they have pain in their ears, I mean what can they do? make you stop feeding and inflict a wailing baby on the rest of the passengers...The spiel on the website is probably just the oficial line.

Have a great holiday!

[ClareC]

Surely it's aimed a toddlers over 2 ie they have their own seat and for safety should be in it and strapped in. I would be interested to know the outcome of this as will be flying with my 4 mth old with Easyjet soon.

[Ruth_Baldock]

Total arse. I'd ignore it. Never done it myself but will do when we go to the states in a few weeks! Husband flew via EJ to Lisbon in June and said he saw at least two mums bf their Babies on landing and takeoff.

[Fidgetsmum]

Ruth - I laughed out loud! Thanks everyone. Shall do it and see what happens.

[sandy_rose]

The baby is supposed to be strapped to you and facing forward during take off and landing, but the cabin crew will be sitting down and not checking on you so I wouldn't worry about it. he can still be strapped in while lying down to breastfeed.

[mrs f]

yep it will be about the seatbelt thing. we just went on Ryanair and I BF baby f on take off and landing both times.... what are they going to do! oh and you can still bf with the strap on anyway!

[nikki73]

I'd noticed that statement but it's not applied. If anything you'll find the crew will suggest that you give the baby something to drink/dummy to suck on on take off and landing to avoid the ear pain. I flew a fair bit with my daughter when she was breastfed and never encountered a problem on any airline, including EJ and Ryanair. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Pickle]

You can still BF while they're strapped in, no way they'll even check to stop you so just go ahead and do it!

[njc97]

As mentioned, I presume it's just to stop you taking the harness thing off baby during take off. My wife has certainly breast fed our son on take off.

[Yak]

It's not as if they can chuck you off or anything ;-)

I for one shall be feeding the yaklet when we fly ryanair next week. Particularly given the amount they charge for the "privilege" of having a baby on your lap.....

[catgirl]

We flew with easy jet last month and I breastfed my daughter on take off both ways and landing once and was fine. As others say you can feed them with the baby seatbelt on (although probably not the safest position which probably why they say this as I guess they need to cover themselves)

Have also fed my older 2 on easy jet take off/landings in the past and never an issue.

[Fidgetsmum]

Great news. Boobs ahoy!

[Belle]

actually I do remember once when I was at the front of a fairly empty flight to edinburgh, think it was BA though, and my son was cuddling in to me (wasn't bf but was snuggling so facing in, if you see what I mean), the cabin crew officiously told me to have him facing outward. Was quite taken aback as he was over 1 by then and quite wriggly - really, what could I do?! and if it was helping calm him down...but anyway, am sure if had actually been feeding cd have made a case for it.

[ladywotlunches]

I was on BA a couple of weeks ago. LO was find on the way out, but tired on the way back and was wriggling and screaming the place down (much to the horror of the other passengers who were mostly business people, I'm sure!). But the crew were lovely. They bought me some water for her before take off (she's not BF any more), and not once did they mention the facing forward bit. In the end by the time we had finished taxi-ing (it was Schipol!) she had fallen asleep on hubby's lap, facing sideways (with belt on). Still not a problem.

I don't get why they need to face forward anyway. I'm sure I've read before about it actually being safer to face backwards on a journey (trains/planes etc) its just not practical/as pleasant for most people so they don't do it.

You'll be fine, I'm sure.