bpt, you wrote:
“Now, in anticipation of the next question, “what should I do with / who should watch the other 2-3-4 kids I’m travelling with, while I’m in the restroom feeding infant” with multiple kids, bottles are a pretty sure thing, as childcare is most likely a given.”
Actually, for my youngest, who has several older siblings k”ah, a bottle was not a “sure thing”; since she was never away from me for long as an infant, she never learned to accept a bottle. I’m sure many other mothers had the same experience. When our family traveled together by plane, I nursed during takeoff and landing and other times as needed. No one seemed to notice and since she was quiet no one cared.
More than once I’ve traveled alone with a baby and the person sitting next to me slept for most of the ride. This would not have been possible if I’d have tried to give a bottle.
Regarding my iy”h future grown son flying to e”y: if the least tzniusdig sight he sees is a mother discreetly nursing an infant in her seat, then ashreinu. I have very rarely seen any woman reveal much while nursing an infant in public, and never a frum woman.