Geez, people --- BREASTFEED!!!!!! - Page 3

[veganf]

Originally Posted by TigerTail

Prescription meds? Are they serious? I can't imagine how that is going to work on long flights with people that need regular meds. (Can you see them telling a diabetic that they must be seperated from their insulin? An allergic person that they can't have their epi pen? I don't believe it, I think it's hysteria).

In the email I just received from the airlines:

"Additionally, please be aware, due to this heightened security level no liquid or gel is permitted in sterile areas through screening check-points or to be in accessible property or on one's person, except:

1) Baby formula, breast-milk or juice if a baby or small child is traveling.

2) Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket.

3) Insulin and essential other non-prescription medicine.

Restricted liquid and gels include beverages, shampoo, sun tan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and other items of similar consistency."

[jessjgh1]

I don't get the mentality that b/c someone took a sip, it's safe.

Totally agree.

And again, I think it is fine that any liquid carried causes the passenger to be stopped any questioned. But when the passenger says it is breastmilk or forumla and has a baby with her, then policy follows- "okay mom, that's fine, just checking, we have to ask."

As for diapers wipes and meds, they gotta include that in the okay list.

Now, if you are away for a day or so and pumped and planning to bring EBM back and don't have your babe with you, well, I can't really blame security if they say loose the milk, even though all of this may be a bit hysterical of a reaction.

I've taken a few trips that are one-way and have been scrutinized each time. Once when obviously pregnant, and once when my son was with me. So I was just the lucky number pulled, or (very likely) specially scrutinized because of the one-way flight.

My dh's grandmother, in her 80's also seems to get the luck of the draw.

I'm sure the policy for baby carriers is going to be even more strictly enforced for a while. I hope things will calm down quickly-- but really, the plot that was stopped is scary I don't really even have words to express what might have been.

Jessica

[tallulahma]

Originally Posted by siobhang

On another list, someone posted that her sister flew earlier today and they were stopping passengers with liquids- including formula and medication. While the FAA might have its policies, the individual TSA guards are not necessarily following the policies. You can imagine the confusion.

My brother is currently on a plane from London to NYC. UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH.

Also, on all flights from the UK, they are not allowed to bring ANY carry on luggage - except for wallet, passport, and tickets.

Siobhan

at first when the news broke, they were stopping everything. Now they say you can have the formula and meds, but that it will be scrutinized more, hence the suggestion that you get there 3-4 hours earlier than your flight. You can take this approved stuff, but it will be questioned and examined.

[frontierpsych]

Security: Ma'am, we'll need you to take a taste of that baby's formula.

Mother: Oh, he's breastfed.

Security: Alrighty then, lift your shirt and stick your nipple in your mouth please.



I can imagine it.

[elanorh]

I'm all for heightened security (when it's warranted) -- that said, dh is a professional photographer and he carries the FAA guidelines about photographic equipment/film with him when we fly. He's entitled to a hand-check of his film instead of the xraying process, and he demands it. If they refuse, he hands them the FAA statement about it.

I think it's wise when traveling to download and carry the official restriction information with oneself, just in case. I plan on being searched when I fly - dh is always searched (mid-30's male who's almost always unshaven, casual clothing, dark bags) -- anymore, he just wears his Merels (sp?) since they slip on and off and it makes the searches go more quickly. DH's nearly 90 year old grandma is always searched, too. I think that's to prove they're not profiling. Whatever. When I was about 6 months pregnant with Ina, we were traveling and the TSA agent stopped dh and me both and said that he needed to search "one of us" and gave us a choice. I think he was supposed to search me but figured I would not be comfortable with it. Very kind of him.

I just have to wonder (and always have) -- WHAT about the packed luggage, the non-carryon? Seriously. Couldn't there be liquid explosives in THERE too? And couldn't there be a way to detonate them from on the plane? I always thought the "no needles/knitting needles" ban was silly, too, since they didn't ban pencils and pens (just as likely to become a deadly weapon in the end, KWIM?). :

**
Anyway - I'd imagine that with forewarning, a bf mom (even one pumping and separate from her dc) would be able to figure out a way to bring a cup and "sample" from each of her little pumped baggies if she was requested to do so, without contaminating the milk. The problem of course would be if she'd managed to freeze some/all of it. Would they make her thaw it to prove what it was?

But yes, how simple it would be/is to just bf on the plane and not worry about the restrictions at all. I saw a show about Heathrow in London last spring, where a mom was told she couldn't bring her baby's formula overseas, and the mom was terribly upset, and of course my first thought was, "Well, if you were bf, you could take your "baby milk" anywhere you wanted, because it's *attached*"....

[lillake]

Originally Posted by dukeswalker

Maybe we should look at this postivieley - Perhaps there will be more than a few moms, upon tasting formula - who will VOW to bf every baby there after....heck, she might even try to relactate!!

That's true! I often thought that a mom who chooses to FF should be required to drink a few ounces herself, just to know what it tastes like.

[MarcyC]

What if your baby has a diaper rash and you need to take diaper rash cream? (btw, ot, breastmilk is good to clear up a diaper rash)

And what about hand sanitizer? Ewwwwww....all those germy planes. We're planning a trip in a few months and now I wonder if we should drive across country just to avoid this madness!

[wannabe]

Originally Posted by frenchie

Also, if they expect formula feeding parents to use their water, it better come from a bottled source. The water on those airplanes is foul and contaminated.

That is very true. I actually really feel for the airlines today - they must have been caught just as unprepared as the passengers, especially those who don't normally carry many beverages. I think some airlines catering logistics people are going to be working all night tonight!

And what about hand sanitizer? Ewwwwww....all those germy planes. We're planning a trip in a few months and now I wonder if we should drive across country just to avoid this madness!

Antibacterial wipes?

What's the big deal with taking a sip of your own milk? Besides the contamination aspect.

What if you'd been on a business trip, and bringing home your pumped milk because you NEED it in your stash. You'd need to defrost it.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by grisaleen

Everyone is assuming that it's the mom who would have to sample the milk.....why couldn't you just have your baby take a few sips? That sounds way simpler to me.

Do babies always eat on demand?

Ah well, I just won't fly anywhere for as long as possible. Not like I have the $$ for it anyway.

[KrystalC]

When I went to London in May, I was 9 weeks pregnant and on daily progesterone injections to help prevent another miscarriage. I had the vial of progesterone, syringes, etc. in my carry on bag and NO ONE at airport security opened my bag or even batted an eye. I made it through customs and everything with the syringes with no one saying a word about it. Granted, I had a note from my doctor in case it had been an issue, but still... I fully expected someone to stop me and ask questions.

Post-9/11, my mom (a nurse) flew from Washington DC to Paris to Lebanon and back with hemostats in a case in her purse. Have you ever seen how sharp those things are? No one stopped her to ask any questions and she didn't even realize she HAD them until she got home.

It's ridiculous some of the things people are able to carry on a plane, yet they've made women sample formula and breastmilk.... ridiculous.

[happyfrog]

Something to consider - there are probably quite a few moms who have pumped breast milk, and have a breast pump AND their child - and CAN'T bf their child. I was one of those people. I even flew 2x while I was still pumping. I was an ep'ing mom. (exclusive pumping). My son could not latch. L-rd knows we tried.

These guidelines are quite scary when you think of the moms who are doing the best they can and run the risk of having their milk tossed/refused to be boarded with them.

I was questioned pretty thoroughly both coming and going both times. Guess we look like scary people? Or like people who won't complain. . . .

Anyway, I had a hassle with my breast pump both times and also with my bottles of breastmilk (I had 10 bottles of breast milk - stored in thoroughly washed and sanitized Lipton Iced tea bottles - they held 22 oz each.) I had to bring so much with me because at that time, I wasn't daily pumping enough for my son's needs, so I gave him frozen stash for 8 days previous to the flight so that I'd have enough 'fresh' milk along with whatever I pumped while visiting the in laws.)

Basically, it's not just so easy to 'dump' the milk when that IS the only way baby gets the milk - not from the tap.

I realize now just how so very blessed bf'ing moms are now that I'm one, too. My current nursling is a happy nurser. It's so much easier than pumping - and more comfortable, too.

BettyAnn

[DreamsInDigital]

I'm so sorry you were treated unfairly BettyAnn. I admire mamas who pump for their babes. I only pumped once a day at work and it was a PITA. I can only imagine pumping all day and night.

[jeanine123]

Yep, heard that this morning and told my dh thank goodness I'm nursing since we have to fly next week. At least I don't have to worry about Alex's food.

[jeanine123]

Originally Posted by Hippiemommie

If anyone is sampling my breastmilk he better be good looking and in his early 20s. :

:

[2Sweeties1Angel]

Alrighty then, lift your shirt and stick your nipple in your mouth please.

I could probably do that...

[jeanine123]

Originally Posted by grisaleen

Everyone is assuming that it's the mom who would have to sample the milk.....why couldn't you just have your baby take a few sips? That sounds way simpler to me.

It would be, except it would still be contaminated and either need to be used w/in an hr if BM and dumped if formula.

[coloradoalice]

Originally Posted by moonfirefaery

I'd never drink my own milk. That'd feel weird. I'd just pour it out and use the real thing. This is one reason why people should nurse. No one can inspect the insides of your breasts!

God Almighty I hope they never try!!

[aja-belly]

Originally Posted by Wabi Sabi

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14282396/



I also read somewhere else that in order to carry breastmilk/formula the child must be with you. What about all the pumping moms trying to get home to baby? Will they have to dump all that milk? :sad

my husband (shaggydaggy on here) flew across the country last week with a small cooler full of frozen colostrum without a baby. glad this didn't happen a week ago!

[JessasMilkMama]

I just read that no one will be asked to sample any baby milk in the US, although other countries might.