Mom Gets Grief For Flying With A Breast Pump Without Baby

Working moms have enough to juggle without getting lip service from airline gate agents when they need to travel.

But that’s exactly what a reporter says happened to her as she tried to bring a TSA-approved breast pump on a recent Delta Airlines flight.

“He tried to take it 3x so I nicely explained. Then he says this: ‘Well, where is your baby?’” NBC News correspondent Jo Ling Kent said in a tweet  Friday.

“Well, sir, perhaps you haven’t met a working mom before.”

Oh, dude.

Kent’s tweet went viral, and left many people shaking their heads over the agent’s alleged misguided comment. Some pointed out that, if Kent’s baby had been with her, she may not have required a breast pump (although many women do choose to pump exclusively ).

Others pointed out that it’s a breast pump, not a baby pump.

And, many wondered what year it is that women are still being questioned about their baby-feeding choices.

A Delta representative eventually apologized over Twitter, and called the incident “disappointing.” 

Disappointing, yes, but not surprising.

The stigma around baby-feeding is nothing new, and we say “baby-feeding” because it doesn’t matter if you breast feed, formula feed, or pump — you will be shamed for doing it in public, for giving your baby a (Gasp!) bottle , or for pumping anywhere that isn’t the inside of a closet .

According to a recent U.S. survey , 24 per cent of people think breastfeeding or using a pump in public is inappropriate. And, 61 per cent believe it’s inappropriate to breastfeed or pump in a restaurant. 

So, where exactly are people supposed to feed their babies? Right, in the home, where new moms should be banished for at least a year. Cool, cool.

WATCH: Mom loses her job after requesting to pump at work. Story continues below.

Working parents who also happen to lactate face some additional challenges. That same survey found that one in three people didn’t believe an employer should have to provide a lactation room.

Harper’s Bazaar previously reported that pumping is one of the most difficult aspects of returning to work after having a baby — whether it’s lack of a private space, or a workplace culture that scrutinizes taking breaks.

Moms Rising’s “I Pumped Here ” campaign notes that 60 per cent of pumping moms don’t have adequate workplace accommodations or break time.

Travelling with a breast pump can be a huge pain

So, there’s the stigma, and the logistics. And then, travelling with a breast pump is a whole other struggle, as Kent’s tweet points out. And she’s hardly the first to have issues.

In 2018, a U.S. mom says American Airlines humiliated her for trying to board with a breast pump , and eventually forced her to pay to check the device. In 2016, a family alleged that security at the Calgary airport swabbed their breast pump — and patted down their baby!— after both were deemed “high risk.”

Also in 2016, a Toronto mom was told she couldn’t use the electrical plug for her pump on a flight to London, and told to manually pump, instead (eventually, the airline staff allowed her to use the plug for just seven minutes, according to Today’s Parent ).

“We shouldn’t be telling women how to pump, where to pump, how to breastfeed, where to breastfeed,” Elizabeth Arnold told Today’s Parent.

So, can you fly with a breast pump?

Given all the issues, you might think breast pumps are forbidden on planes. But they’re not! According to the U.S. Transport Security Administration (TSA) website, breast pumps are allowed both in carry-on baggage and checked baggage .

Air Canada has previously noted that “there’s no restriction ” carrying or using a breast pump on their flights as long as it fits within their weight limits. And WestJet previously told Yahoo Canada that passengers are welcome to use electric breast pumps on flights where electrical outlets are available at the seat.

While Porter planes don’t have outlets, moms and lactating parents are welcome to use a manual pump or one with its own power supply, a representative told Yahoo Canada in 2016.

As well, breast milk “in quantities greater than 100 ml” is allowed on Canadian flights (whether or not you’re travelling with a child), according to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. But, you will have to provide it to a screening officer for inspection.

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