Whip it out, mama

As a mother who nursed all three of her babies, I find it really offensive that a flight attendant would remove a nursing mother from a flight because she refused to cover up with a blanket. Apparently, the mom said she was in a window seat and her husband was between her and the aisle. A flight attendant offered a blanket, she refused and was asked to disembark the plane.

First off, I took Pickle on several plane rides when he was an infant and the pediatrician advised us to nurse, give him a bottle or a pacifier because the sucking would help the baby's ears not pop and hurt upon take-off and landing. Helloooo, people. She was trying to make the ride more comfortable for everyone around her, most likely. I'm guessing someone, somewhere took some offense to this because there was a bare breast someone in the vicinity and we certainly can't have that.

That just really irritates me. I nursed in public and I never whipped out a boob for the world to see. I have seen a few women do that and my eyes always bugged out every time I saw it, but once the baby is latched on, no harm, no foul. If this woman really was being discreet, it was obviously someone with a hang-up who was offended. My dad is one of those guys. He is VERY old school when it comes to nursing. If he had his way, women would hide in backrooms to do it. I nursed in public with a nursing bib on and no one usually knew what I was doing. If the baby was wiggly or inquisitive, I covered up everything but the baby's head, so he or she could see what was going on. My dad finally relaxed a bit when he realized that I could nurse without him having to see my boobs. Plus, I think nursing is one of the most natural, wonderful practices. It is nutritious, cheap and easy (for the most part). Now, this lady's kid was 22 months, which is pushing my comfort level for nursing, but it is perfectly acceptable in many cultures and isn't too terribly creepy in the states. Regardless, Delta and Frontier are going to have their asses handed to them for giving this woman grief.