Breast-feeding case leads to punishment

[The Straight Story]

Breast-feeding case leads to punishment

Fri Nov 17, 6:25 PM ET

BURLINGTON, Vt. - A commuter airline has disciplined a flight attendant who ordered a passenger off a plane for refusing to cover herself with a blanket while breast-feeding her toddler, the airline said Friday.

Freedom Airlines spokesman Paul Skellon did not specify the discipline in an e-mail announcing the action against the employee who had Emily Gillette, of Santa Fe, N.M., removed from the plane Oct. 13 at Burlington International Airport.

Gillette, 27, said she was breast-feeding her 22-month-old daughter in a window seat in the next-to-last row, with no part of her breast showing and her husband between her and the aisle.

The flight attendant tried to hand her a blanket and told her to cover up, Gillette said. She declined, telling the flight attendant she had a legal right to nurse her daughter. Breast-feeding is protected under state law.

The case received broad news coverage this week, days after Gillette filed a complaint with the Vermont Human Rights Commission. On Wednesday, about 30 parents and their children protested the airline's treatment of Gillette by staging a "nurse-in" at the Burlington airport.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061117/ap_on_re_us/breast_feeding_passenger

[LoZoccolo]

1. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuhOj2dQTrk

[WindRavenX]

2. good

That flight attendant was extremely out of line.

[GCP]

3. Good.

I'm sick of the prudery over breast-feeding in this country. It's the natural way to feed babies, for pete's sake, get over it.

[The Straight Story]

5. F'ing freepers are mostly upset over this - sheesh

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1740773/posts

They wouldn't like my wife who breast fed on planes for 2 years (she flew several times a year).

Assholes.

[MUSTANG_2004]

38. Not as much as I would have thought

I looked at your link, and there were a large number of supportive comments as well.

[treestar]

81. Moranic freeper comment of the day:

"She's lucky that they didn't arrest her under anti-terror laws."

Gee, and I thought they were afraid of Muslims!

[Katzenjammer]

85. What's moronic about it??!? He's right, she *was* lucky some dork didn't do that to her.

[SeattleGirl]

4. Good to hear.

I just don't get people who are embarassed or offended by public breastfeeding. It's not a lewd or sexual act; it is a mother feeding her child, period. People need to get over themselves about this.

[boolean]

6. It's a wonder these fundies can breed at ALL

How do they even have sex? I would think they'd be ashamed of themselves.

[SeattleGirl]

9. It's not "sex" if you're trying to make babies.

I used to go to a fundie church (:scared: ), and all they liked to talk about was how we are all sinners, bad, nasty, dirty, blah blah blah. Sex was only for the purpose of procreation, and there was never any talk of pleasure, etc., especially where women were concerned.

Ack! Gotta stop talking about it. I'm going to give myself nightmares.

[Katzenjammer]

86. Right. Sex is nasty, dirty, and vile. So save it for the one you love.

And they don't even get the irony.

[TahitiNut]

7. The flight attendant must be oviparous.

:shrug:

[Warpy]

20. Reptiles usually are.

[TahitiNut]

27. (Uhmmm..) Well, this one's a flying animal ... so she feeds her kids by

... going home and vomiting into their mouths. :evilgrin:


Air Sickness Bags ... not just a convenience. Lunch.

[uppityperson]

8. good

[IsItJustMe]

10. 22 months old. The woman has problems.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with woman breast feeding, openly or otherwise (discretion is not a bad thing though, for me anyway). but honestly, when should it end.

[WindRavenX]

11. no, she doesn't

It isn't uncommon to breast feed for many years.

[The Straight Story]

13. Not really - avg weaning age the world over is 4 years

You should nurse your baby as long as it’s working for the two of you. Both the World Health Organization and Canadian Paediatric Society now recommend that babies be given breastmilk exclusively for six months with complementary foods added at that time. Then they recommend continuing to breastfeed for the baby’s first year and beyond. LaSalle points out that the average weaning age in the world is four years old and cites the benefits of nursing an older baby, which may include a decreased risk of obesity, diabetes, eczema and night blindness, as well as lower cholesterol and decreased risk of heart disease. “The long-term effects carry on into adulthood,” she says.

http://www.todaysparent.com/pregnancybirth/breastfeeding/article.jsp?content=1089676

[IsItJustMe]

17. I would respectively disagree.

Babies who breast feed for over a year are found to be anemic, over clinging to mother (which may result in emotional developmental problems), general lack of nutrients in there body and other problems. Up to a point, it's a great thing. But as with anything else in life, there is a point of diminishing returns.

[The Straight Story]

18. They are not talking about exclusively breast feeding though

which is different.

[IsItJustMe]

19. OK, I had a cousin who breast fed her daughter exclusively up until the age of 4.

She ruined that kid. I think it was sort of a religious issue with her. All in all though, to me, it was a form of child abuse.

Anyhow, I do believe that breast fed is the best fed.

[pnwmom]

58. By "exclusively" do you mean the child had no solid foods at all?

That would be unhealthy. Toddlers need solid foods for iron, at least.

But I suspect you mean the child had breastmilk instead of cows milk. Which is fine. Nobody needs cows milk, ever.

[WindRavenX]

44. LOL I'd LOVE to see some links to back up your ridiculous claims

"Over clinging to the mother"? "Emotional developmental problems" WTF? You can't be serious?

Oh, and as for a "geeral lack of nutriets in there body and other problems", you do realize that breast feeding is the only way a child at this young age has a immune system, right?

[treestar]

82. Not to mention that the human race did it this way for millenia

and only recently has been able to get around the absolute necessity if breastfeeding!

So that comment above would make most of humanity in the past to have been out-of-whack.

[Odin2005]

55. I highly doubt that, it doesn't make evolutionary sense

Humans evolved to breast-feed for 4 years. The "overly clingly to mom" assertion sounds like nothing more then Western cultural bias about how kids are supposed to behave.

[Syncronaut Seven]

75. Can you cite any studies.

This seems contrary to my training in early childhood development.

[MissB]

15. I'm not sure I understand you.

Are you suggesting that it is odd that the woman is still breast feeding her 22 month old baby? Both the WHO and UNICEF suggest that women breastfeed their babies for *at least* two years. La Leche and AAP do not state an upper age range.

22 months is not that unusual.

[The Straight Story]

16. Might be a good time for a poll on it here (ie how long) :) (nt)

[Karenina]

21. You're obviously not a mother

and it's NOT your decision. MYOB, as Dear Abby would say.

[MUSTANG_2004]

37. Probably just not informed

About the health and psychological benefits of extended nursing.

[Karenina]

41. Clearly not. And PROJECTING

that mom might be "getting off" on it. :eyes:

[piedmont]

22. I'd say it's YOU who has a "problem"

Feeding a 1 yr, 10 month old breast milk is pretty standard throughout history.

[IsItJustMe]

25. Most women, I would think, would not want a 22 month old child hanging on them.

Additionally, after a certain point, breast feeding no longer benefits the babies needs, but rather the mother. That seems like a possible problem.

And I would also bet you this: That this women is a Christian Fundamentalist and will home school the child when it gets old enough to go to school; so that it won't be corruted by all of them, so called filthy libs, out there. I've known a few of these folks in my life.


Bottom line though, whatever gets you to the light, is alright.

[piedmont]

28. what, any ole 22 mo old? Or their CHILD, that they gave birth to?

Are you being serious here? You want to disagree with the World Health Organization, hundreds of millions of mothers, and basic biology, based on some person you know who, as you've said, is clearly out of the mainstream? And I'll take the bet. If you're right about her, I'll give $100 to a charity of your choice. If you are wrong about her, you'll donate $100 to La Leche League. Ok?

btw, here is what the WHO has to say about breastfeeding:

Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the
healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral
part of the reproductive process with important implications for
the health of mothers. As a global public health recommendation,
infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of
life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter,
to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should
receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while
breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Exclusive
breastfeeding from birth is possible except for a few medical
conditions, and unrestricted exclusive breastfeeding results in
ample milk production.

[IsItJustMe]

31. I'll give you this much

My statement was obviously to broad in scope. There are many variables involved in deciding when it is time to quit breast feeding. All that I wished to point out is that moderation in this area, as in any human enveavor, should be taken into consideration.

[piedmont]

34. yep, too broad, ill-informed, etc.

All that I wished to point out is that moderation in this area, as in any human enveavor, should be taken into consideration.
Ok. Where in this thread did anyone advocate an extremist breastfeeding agenda?

[Karenina]

29. Exactly WHAT would YOU know about it

beside NADA??? What does it matter what "YOU" think "most women" would want??? The woman in question made a decision to discreetly nurse her child through a new experience. What does it matter to YOU??? You seem fixated on the idea that mom might be "getting off" on it. All of your assumptions are SICK, SICK, SICK. May you remain single forever.

[IsItJustMe]

30. Hey, everyone has a right to an opinion.

I am not so arrogant to believe that mine is right, founded in ultimate truth, or anything else. It's all good.

[Karenina]

40. Opinions are like assholes

everybody has one. ;-)

[etherealtruth]

53. 'Tis true

... sometimes I wish I didn't have to be exposed to them:puke:

[mondo joe]

42. Yes - and yours is poorly thought out. Y'know, even if this baby was 90% off

the breast, this might have been that 10%. And what a smart time to do it - it comforts the baby, keeps it quiet, helps its ears adjust to the change in air pressure, all of which makes for a happier trip for EVERYONE.

[DemBones DemBones]

66. Excellent points, mondo joe.

My mom always said "There's nothing like a good bust in the mouth to quiet a baby." ;-)

[readmoreoften]

43. And everyone has the right to have opinions about people's opinions too.

That's how it works. Say something ridiculous, get smacked down. And so the world turns.

[mondo joe]

33. Well so much for liberty and personal choice -- if it's not what "most women"

would want, after all.

[WindRavenX]

45. please do not speak for other women

My mother breast feed me until I was 4 and both of us agree it was one of the best bonding experiences ever.

[piedmont]

48. that's what's funny-- that's a man telling us what women want! nt

[WindRavenX]

49. he's a man?

I did not know that.

Wow. That makes it even more appalling :grr:

[piedmont]

54. I missed my chance to say it Austin Powers style....

"That's a MAN, baby! YAH!"

there. I did it.

[pnwmom]

52. Please. What does being a fundie have to do

with extended breastfeeding? Plenty of DU'ers have nursed toddlers -- I've spoken to many of them. In fact, I'm one of them. You can't ever have breastfed yourself or you wouldn't call it "hanging on them." You have no idea what you're talking about.

You're either a guy, who is jealous of the idea that a baby might get first priority on a woman's breasts, or you're a young woman who has no idea what it is like to have a baby or to breastfeed. You can't be an older woman or you'd know that all babies and toddlers -- nursed or not -- do a lot of hanging on. And mothers (and fathers) like it.

[DemBones DemBones]

67. Most liberals breastfeed their kids. Fundies are latecomers to the

breastfeeding party. All us hippie types were doing it 30-40 years ago and the fundies were grossed out about it back then.

:hippie:

[Dora]

76. Oh, honey.

My son is 22 months old and still breastfeeding. If we were to get on a plane this month, I know he'd nurse on takeoff and landing just to relieve inner ear pressure.

And I'm not a religious fundamentalist.

[BikeWriter]

84. WTF?

:wtf:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

26. I'm sorry, it seems that you have the problem. I breast fed my oldest

son until he was 22 months and he 19 now, and has always been exceptionally well adjusted. He weaned himself when he was ready, as did my younger son on the eve of his first birthday (he's 16). Both of my children had no anxiety separation issues, they have always made friends easily, are smart and independent.

[mondo joe]

32. Sounds like the problem is yours. n/t

[WindRavenX]

46. indeed

Jesus fucking christ, I never knew a completely natural function of motherhood could be so fucking controversial.

Fucking pathetic.

[mondo joe]

73. Not to mention that someone keeping their kid quiet on a plane would

be so frowned upon.

[gollygee]

50. Almost major health organization in the world recommends at least 24 months

do you think you know better? Based on what?

I corrected the title because I forgot about the American Academy of Pediatrics, which says at LEAST a year but as long as wanted after that:

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)

[pnwmom]

51. Both the WHO and UNICEF says it should continue till AT LEAST 2 years.

Worldwide, the average age of weaning is between 2.5 and 6.

The American Pediatric Society recommends breast-feeding continue until at least 1 year, and fully supports extending nursing as long as the mother and child want to.

People who think a 22 month old is too old are the ones with problems.

[DemBones DemBones]

65. No she doesn't -- you do. The Worl Health Organization recommends

breastfeeding for 2 years. That's 24 month so this mom and baby aren't there yet. And many mothers and babies prefer to continue brestfeeding beyond 24 months.

[spacelady]

78. Yes, I am afraid it is just you. n/t

[Ilsa]

83. The longer, the better, for mom and child.

A woman can reduce her risk for breast cancer 4-5% for each year she nurses, and may be able to continue lactation amenhorrea and protect against pregnancy without birth control pills. The baby continues to receive immunoglobulins that protect the child against infection, leukemia, diabetes, and helps lower cholesterol levels as an adult.

I nursed my first through age 3, my second age 4. Of course, they started solid foods in the middle of the first year.

[stellanoir]

12. this is such a ridiculous issue

So a mom has to wear oversized shirts for a short while, cradles their kid underneath their shirt, and generally offends no one.

Yikes.

A kid's gotta eat ya know?

So much healthier for the kid as well of course.

[WindRavenX]

14. Some people look to be offended

I have seen many, many nursing mothers in public places (gasp!!!) and unless you really, really, REALLY tried, you'd *never* see a peep of tit.

But most people are idiots....

[wildeyed]

36. It's true.

I remember nursing my new baby at the gym while we were waiting for a post natal excise class to start. I was sitting on a couch wearing long pants and a long sleeved, high necked, baggy shirt with the baby under my shirt and just his little legs sticking out. A woman on the elliptical trainer five feet away was wearing short shorts with her butt cheeks hanging out, bare midriff and plenty of cleavage showing, too. Guess who the old biddies glared at every time they came around the indoor track? You guessed it, Me! I guess I was supposed to feed my baby in a toilet stall or something so they wouldn't have to deal with the offensiveness of seeing a woman feed her baby, meanwhile nearly neked lady on the elliptical is just dandy. Sheesh.....

[piedmont]

23. probably a slap on the wrist, unfortunately.

Hopefully this won't be an issue on planes in the future because of this case.

[tammywammy]

35. Well, I don't think termination would necessarily be appropriate

if this was the flight attendant's first offense such as this. I think re-education/training of the flight attendant is appropriate along with a note in her file.

But, if it was a repeat offense then termination is fine with me.

[WindRavenX]

47. I dunno...actually telling the women to get off the plane is pretty serious

I mean, you have to be a terrorist or something to be taken off the plane.

But you're right-- if this was a first offense, re-educate.

[Gormy Cuss]

24. Left unanswered in that story: is the mother satisfied with the action?

The flight attendant was disciplined, Delta put the family up for the night at a hotel and flew them out the next day. I wonder if the mother wants more remedy.

[RC]

39. Breast feeding blurs the line between

Humans and animals. So stop it already.:sarcasm:

[JeremyWestenn]

56. The attendant was right to ask her to cover up.

And naturally instead of doing the logical thing, which is to cover ones exposed body, she decided to turn it into a different issue that she would be completely correct in fighting. You're trying to stop me from breast feeding. No. She wanted her to cover her boobs and let the baby suck away. That simple. Instead of arguing what actually happened these people are, disingenuously, trying to act as if the incident was over something completely seperate. She didn't tell her to stop breastfeeding, but to cover herself up or get off the plane.

I'm behind the flight attendant 100%.

[piedmont]

57. She was covered. And in the back of the plane. And...

Her husband was in the seat between her and the aisle. Are you now going to argue that the child should eat under a hot, stuffy blanket?

[The Straight Story]

59. Why the fear of boobs? (nt)

[Oeditpus Rex]

63. It isn't a fear of breasts, per se

In the regressive mind, breasts = sex = bad. But the equation is confounded by another one: breasts = fun = good. So the mind is at odds — ergo, breasts = bad, since the regressive mind cannot rationalize the dichotomy.

[WindRavenX]

60. Yeah, about the boobs...

...you are aware boobs = food, right?

[gollygee]

61. First, the article said no breast was showing

so it wasn't about boob viewing.

Second, it's just a BREAST. What's the big deal about seeing a bit of breast? Women dress in clothing that shows quite a bit of breast pretty regularly.

[Karenina]

62. Sick, sick, sick...

:eyes:

[Bluebear]

64. "boobs"..."suck away"....does breast feeding TITtilate you or something?

Why such sexual words to describe mealtime? :)

[DemBones DemBones]

68. Obviously, you need to go back and re-read the article, which

clearly states that no part of her breast (breast -- not boob) was exposed and that she was in a window seat with her husband next to her in the aisle seat. Who was offended? The flight attendant noticed the baby had her head under mom's shirt --OMG, cover up, cover up! Cover up what?

I'll bet the flight attendant reveals far more of her breasts at the beach, and you'd approve of that, no doubt.

[piedmont]

69. I love a good pile-on!

:hi:

[mondo joe]

74. Could you be MORE misinformed? She wasn't exposing her body.

And there was no reason for her to use a blanket.

[Dora]

77. You're apparently ignorant of the fact that her boob wasn't showing.

You eat with a blanket over your head and see how much you like it.

[laundry_queen]

79. Oh yes.

Because boobs that are partially exposed while breastfeeding are way offensive, while those titty mags at the newstand before you board are A-OK!!
What a fucked up society we live in.

[mondo joe]

80. It's so idiotic. You'd have to look REALLY HARD in most cases to even see any

breast while a kid is nursing.

One of the dumbest phobias in America today.

[dsc]

70. I am surprised no one noticed the irony

freedom airlines.

[Bluebear]

71. I feel like I'm at a La Leche League meeting already :)

[BoneDaddy]

72. Ridiculous

If only the airlines would address something that really matters...my god.