There are many mothers who breastfeed their babies and for work, or for whatever reason, they have to travel and get away from their children for a few days. During that time, they need to continue pumping frequently and store it to give it to their baby upon return.
Kelsey Myers, is a mother in that situation that I was traveling by plane with a breast pump and she shared on her Facebook profile that she had never felt “more harassed, disrespected and humiliated” in her life after, as she indicated, the airline agents stopped her at the boarding gate and “yelled at her” that they had to Register one of your handheld items.
She carried a handbag, a personal item, a container with breast milk and a breast pump. When he arrived at the boarding area, an airline employee warned him that he was carrying too many things and that he needed to dispatch one of the packages.
He explained that the breast pump was a medical device and that it did not count as part of the limits of hand luggage, but the agent insisted that he had to put the bag in the trunk of the plane.
"I had just boarded flight # 1243 from LAX to ORD with a hand luggage, a personal item, breast milk and a breast pump. At the door, Daniel stopped me (photo below) and told me he had too many items. I explained that my breast pump is a medical device and that the small cooler was breast milk, and he still told me that I had to check my bag.
I kept telling him that I read his policy online and that he knew what he had and that everything was allowed. He told me to step aside and told me he was calling a supervisor. I waited until his supervisor Juliette arrived. She didn't even ask me the situation, but immediately told me that I had to check a bag. I told him again that it was a medical device and that I needed to carry it out. She started yelling at me to check the bag. In a condescending tone, he shouted in front of about 50 people who hoped to board the flight "how many tits do you have".
I have never felt more harassed, belittled and humiliated in my life. She didn't reason at all and continued yelling at me in front of everyone, so I eventually gave up and checked my bag. I am surprised that a supervisor demonstrates such disrespect. I am also very surprised that a supervisor has no knowledge of what seems to me to be a simple policy. "
What you should know if you travel by plane with a breast pump
- The breast pump does not qualify as hand luggage because It is a medical device. Medical and mobility devices (such as crutches) do not count as personal items or carry-on luggage. That is, apart from hand luggage and personal items, it is allowed to carry any necessary medical device or material.
In the indications of Aena we see that they are allowed:
Liquids that must be used during the trip either for medical needs or for special diets, including children's food.
Liquids in individual containers with a capacity not exceeding 100 ml. contained in a transparent plastic bag with opening / closing system and a capacity not exceeding 1 liter (bag of approximately 20 x 20 cm.). Only one bag can be transported per passenger, including children.
Then, it is convenient to inform each airline about restrictions on hand luggage. In Iberia, for example, you can carry a cabin suitcase and a personal accessory. Also, if you travel with a baby you will be allowed a baby bag with your food, drink and necessary items for the flight.
In conclusion, know that if you travel with a breast pump on the plane does not count as carry-on luggage. So you can get away quietly if you need it.
Other tips for traveling with breast milk
Use special containers or bags and an airtight fridge to store the breast milk.
Make sure the hotel has a mini fridge in the room to store the milk.
As for the time that can remain according to the temperature at which it is refrigerated: it can remain at 15º, 24 hours, between 19º-22º, 19 hours and at 25º from 4 to 8 hours. Refrigerated between 0º and 4º, it can remain for 5 to 8 days.
When you go through the security check, declare that you are carrying breast milk, and if an agent opens the refrigerator where you have the milk stored for checking, ask him to wear a pair of clean gloves.
In Babies and more | What should I take into account when choosing a breast pump ?, Willow, a new wireless breast pump with which you can express milk anytime, anywhere
