TUI in hot water after telling the mother of a five week old baby that she can’t breastfeed during take off or landing

After boarding a flight with TUI, the mother of a five week old baby was shocked to be told she could not breastfeed on take-off or landing.

New mother Chelsea Danielle was so appalled that she was prevented from breastfeeding her newborn baby on the flight that she posted about her experience on the TUI Facebook page.

Chelsea wrote: “During our outbound flight I was told I was not allowed to breastfeed (even though we were both buckled) during take off and landing. I have never had this with other airlines in fact it is encouraged to help with baby ear pain. Before my inbound flight I thought I’d check what the official rules were as I was shocked it wasn’t allowed as it left my baby screaming as a consequence.”

“Could make other people feel uncomfortable”

In response to Chelsea’s query about breastfeeding during the flight, a TUI representation wrote: “There are no official restrictions however we would not recommend it could make other people feel uncomfortable”.

Chelsea has condemned the TUI response as “complete discrimination and majorly disappointing”. And she’s not the other one. In a few short hours after posting, Chelsea’s TUI experience has infuriated many other parents.

TUI’s stance on breastfeeding has received wide-spread criticism

Fellow breastfeeding mother Grace Redmond wrote: “This is disgusting TUI. Hope the customers service member who typed this reply gets some disciplinary action and further training. It’s actually illegal to say someone can’t breastfeed as long as they are somewhere they can legally be.”

Breastfeeding mother of two Natasha Louise York added: “Pretty sure it’s illegal to tell someone to not breastfeed”. As an ex cabin crew member Natasha told boobingit: “I’ve never heard of a safety reason why you can’t breastfeed during take off and landing.”

It’s not only breastfeeding mothers who are outraged by TUI’s stance on breastfeeding. Breastfeeding advocate and father of one Joel uploaded a reel to his Instagram account to share his frustration of TUI’s treatment of a breastfeeding mother.

TUI are conducting an internal investigation

In response to all the negative criticism online, TUI has said that are “conducting an internal investigate”.

A TUI representative has said: “Rest assured, breastfeeding is welcomed on our flights. Whilst we may advise not to feed during take-off and landing for safety reasons, you’re free to breastfeed at any other time during the flight as there are no restrictions.”