Mum Claims She Was Asked To 'Cover Up' After Breastfeeding On United Airlines Flight

Tearful Mum Allegedly 'Asked To Cover Up' After Breastfeeding On Flight
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A mum was brought to tears after she claimed a crew member on a flight told her to "cover up" after breastfeeding because a passenger had complained.

Juliet Thomson, 28, who had just finished feeding her four-month-old daughter Charlie, said she felt humiliated after a passenger allegedly said it was "disgusting".

Thomson from California said her shirt was unbuttoned under her daughter, but no skin was showing below her collar bone.

She said she had no other option but to cover up when she claimed she was asked on the United Airlines flight.

"For the next hour I sat under a sweaty blanket trying to keep Charlie cool while she nursed," she told MailOnline. "I cried a little bit for the feeling of being alone, like the whole world is ganging up on you."

Explaining the incident, Thomson said she had actually finished breastfeeding her daughter and had her resting across her chest when the passenger complained.

It was then she claimed she heard a passenger, she describes as being in her 50s, telling a crew member: "Turn around and look at this girl. You need to go tell her to put some clothes on".

Thomson explained, in a video on Facebook, another crew member came over and said to her: "Listen, I know that breastfeeding is natural and it's normal to do it, but this woman is really offended so if you wouldn't mind covering up seeing as your baby is asleep now."

The mum said no part of her breast was showing, adding the passenger would've "seen more" if she was wearing a low-cut top.

She continued: "I told her it was wrong I'm not even feeding [my daughter] and she said yes but it's bothering her so if you wouldn't mind just covering up."

Thomson said "half the plane" were aware what was going on so she had to publicly apologise, move her daughter off her chest and put a blanket over them.

"It was embarrassing, humiliating," she admitted.

She said although the passengers looked embarrassed for her, no-one said anything.

After landing, Thomson said a representative of United Airlines apologised but only "offered them a ride to baggage claim".

Since speaking out about her story, Thomson is keen to raise awareness of the issue by starting the #MomsDontFlyUnited hashtag, encouraging women not to use the airline.

Uploading a photo to kickstart her awareness campaign on 2 February, she wrote: "We, the passengers, are putting our lives into your hands when we fly with you.

"How can you then bend and twist the rules according to what suits you? You have a moral responsibility to us @United #MomsDontFlyUnited #breastfeedingmoms #normalizebreastfeeding #love #momlife #unitedairlines."

A spokesperson for United Airlines told HuffPost UK Parents: "Both United Airlines and Skywest Airlines, which operated the United Express flight, welcome moms nursing onboard our aircraft and instruct employees to do their best to see to those moms' comfort.

"Skywest is researching the circumstances of that flight to confirm whether the flight attendants efforts may have simply been to try to calm a difficult situation for Ms Thomson."

13 Handy Hacks For Breastfeeding Mamas
Boob Cubes(01 of14)
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When pumping, you can save on one-time-use storage bags by using ice-cube trays for storing breast milk. Each cube is about one ounce of milk, so you know exactly how much you're getting each time you need to prep a bottle.Get the instructions here: One Crafty Mama (credit:One Crafty Mama)
No-Spill Pour(02 of14)
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Breast milk is liquid gold, so we don't want to lose a drop. After pumping, it can be messing to pour the milk from the bottle to the storage bags. So one mom had a brilliant idea: use the detachable flange from the pump as a funnel! (You could just use a kitchen funnel, too, of course.)Get the instructions here: Pinterest (credit:Pinterest)
Pump Straight To The Bag(03 of14)
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Want to avoid the pour all together? Just pump directly into the storage bag. All you need is a little tape.Get the instructions here: A Great & Many Things (credit:A Great & Many Things)
Breast Milk Storage(04 of14)
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We've seen a few different ways to store breast milk in your freezer, but empty pop can boxes look like the best method. They are just the right size and give you ample space.Get the instructions here: Fit Mommy Diaries (credit:Fit Mommy Diaries)
Leak Proof(05 of14)
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Leaky boobs are a real thing when breastfeeding. If you don't have breast pads, just cut a pantyliner (or pad for heavy leakage) in half and stick it to the inside of your bra. Instant absorption!Get the instructions here: Mayahood (credit:Mayahood)
Reusable Pads(06 of14)
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If you have the sewing skills, you can make your own breast pads to catch all the leaks. Get the instructions here: Vivat Veritas (credit:Vivat Veritas)
Milk On The Go(07 of14)
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If you're bottle-feeding on the go, you can heat up breast milk with this simple trick: Put a baby bottle of breast milk in a travel mug and add hot water to keep everything warm.Get the instructions here: Tools N Applications (credit:Tools N Applications)
Soothe Sore Nipples(08 of14)
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Place aloe vera gel in breast milk bags to make soothing gel pads for your cracked or sore nipples.Get the instructions here: Pinterest (credit:Pinterest)
Milk-sicles(09 of14)
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When your baby is teething, you can provide soothing relief by freezing pacifiers in your milk.Get the instructions here: ANWJohnston (credit:ANWJohnston)
Mammory Minders(10 of14)
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Can't remember which boob your baby fed on last? Use these little magnetic clips to keep track. You can also use a safety pin!Buy the clips here: MagMinders/Etsy (credit:MagMinders/Etsy)
DIY Nursing Cami(11 of14)
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With a cut of the scissors and a few stitches, you can create your own nursing tanks in less than 10 minutes. Can't sew? This blogger has a no-sew solution, too... elastics!Get the instructions here: Baby Belly Kelli (credit:Baby Belly Kelli)
Hands-Free Pumping(12 of14)
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Two hair elastics are all it takes to pump hands-free. You'll feel like MacGyver with this rig.Get the instructions here: Balanced Breastfeeding (credit:Balanced Breastfeeding)
Big Breast Problems(13 of14)
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If you have ample bosoms, your hand can get sore holding up your breast for your baby to feed. Instead, roll up a receiving blanket and tuck it under your breast. Now you have one hand free!Get the instructions here: Balanced Breastfeeding (credit:Monashee Alonso via Getty Images)
Pin these hacks!(14 of14)
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