[MarcyC]

So...is anyone watching the BIG NEWS this morning. The terrorists have now planned to blow up airplanes mid-air using liquid explosives. So now liquids are banned. Mouthwash, contact lens solution, hair gel and of course...baby formula! Oh the horrors!!!! They are making a big deal of it on the news. "Can you imagine those poor mothers with babies!?" Oh, you have to take powdered formula on and mix it with the water provided on the plane. What if you have a baby who needs to be on special formula that sometimes only comes in liquid form and you cannot buy it powdered? They said on the news this morning that at some airports the security people are literally opening the cans of formula and taking sips of it for themselves to check it. Ewww!!!!

Okay -- isn't this just another reason to breastfeed breastfeed breastfeed!!!

Of course, breastmilk is a liquid, too. I wonder if the security people need to sample that, as well!

 

[Momtwice]

I thought of that from a different angle. Sometimes bf moms have been harrassed on planes by staff who later found out that airline policy says bf is fine. Some moms bring bottled breast milk so they won't have to nurse in front of strangers on the plane. This anti-terrorist rule would force those moms to nurse too. If the liquid isn't allowed on board, and the mom is harrassed for exposing her breast, there is going to be a problem! So airlines need to be even more pro-bf.

 

[aisraeltax]

i just heard that there is an exception for baby milk but it must be tested by the passenger. so, every bottle of formula must be tasted by mom? yuck!
also, that contaminates the bottle so it cant be used an hour (or whatever) later.

im just not getting this. no handbags, etc. diapers bags? this is not going to fly (no pun intended).

i often wonder if the US has EVER flown El Al..the safest airline in the world and they allow most of these things on board. the US just has this "reactionary mode" re: terrorists. its as if there is no imagination...hear of a plot, fight the plot....

oh my!

 

[BlueStateMama]

Exceptions are made for breastmilk/formula or things like juice for young children. Personally, if, on the heels of arresting 20+ people and having specific information about the details of a bombing plot, I'm cool with taking away bottles of hand lotion and my Diet Pepsi.

 

[BlueStateMama]

BTW, IT with the OP. SO many news stories should be pro-breastfeeding scenerios - this one, all of the hurricane disasters last year, etc.

 

[Hippiemommie]

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

:

 

[Starr]

Just a different point of view here ladies but when we brought DD home from Guatemala we had to bring back on the plane several large cans of formula. That way we could transition her over. So there are exceptions. Also the only thing that IS allowed is baby formula and medicines.

 

[accountclosed3]

no one said that their weren't exceptions.

just that it's ironic that the news people or whomever didn't even consider breastmilk as an option to formula.

 

[Clarinet]

I don't see why unopened cans of formula, powder or not, wouldn't be OK. I would gag so much if I had to swig formula to prove it's not poison. They might just have to take it away and dump it down the sink.

 

[adtake]

Quote:

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

:

 

[frenchie]

I remember a story a while back about a mother who was forced to drink her ebm. She was randomly selected for a security check. The lady was boarding the plane with her diaper bag and an infant. When the security guard found the bottles of ebm, he asked her to discard them. She refused, stating that it was her baby's food. The guard told her no liquids, and the fight started. They argued back and forth, this poor momma was in tears. She was uncomfortable with NIP, so she pumped for the plane. At any rate, the guard told her she would have to sample each bottle in order to board the airplane. She informed him that her bm would be contaminated, and the baby would be unable to eat.....long story short, she was forced to drink the milk, and they allowed her to board the plane.
These airlines need to get a clue. 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.

 

[adtake]

I have heard about mother being asked to sample their EBM to prove its ok.

I just remeber after 911 we flew and DH showed me how the seat belts unattach. He said if anybody comes after you, use this. Makes me think they are over thinking some areas and under thinking others.

On the 'evil' side of me...

... eww formula tasting!

 

[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!!

 

[Wabi Sabi]

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

Quote:

Chicago aviation commissioner Nuria Fernandez said the only exceptions to the ban on liquids would be breast milk and fruit juices for small and nursing children. She urged passengers to arrive early for flights and to consider not bringing carryon luggage.

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

 

[1Plus2]

Quote:

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

: laughup

 

[2Sweeties1Angel]

And this is why I don't fly...

Formula or EBM, I refuse to contaminate my child's food by drinking out of it.

 

[Avocado]

Argh... I just flew to London yesterday (alone) with dd and I was upset, when I got to LAX, that the carry-on bag policy had changed to 15 pounds (my rolling carry-on bag was 10 pounds when empty!) from whatever it was before- I don't think there even was a limit before. Also, the checked baggage weight limit went from 70 lbs to 51 lbs- so, try packing for 2 in one bag under 51 lbs (definately wasn't going to try to handle 2 big bags), carrying a car seat a rolling carry-on and a baby in a sling through the airport only to get to this new pre-check in security point where they weigh your CARRY-ON bag- mine ended up being 37 lbs- ugh... So imagine digging through your bag for a smaller bag (in my case it was a little backpack) and then rearranging everything while trying to hold onto dc your bags and your sanity!!!

: Okay, end of airport rant...
Now this situation today is crazy, but I understand it's for security purposes. I hope they get a little more lenient when I return home in 3 weeks because there are valuables that I definately do not want to check. The last thing on my mind, thank goodness is feeding dd (yay breastfeeding!)- entertaining her, now that's another story1! I need to bring her toys/books, etc., parents can't bring those?

: Should be an interesting flight home...

 

[jarynsmom06]

Quote:

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

:

I think I just wet myself !!!!

 

[chelsmm]

The news this am in Boston said that even prescription medications will NOT be allowed in the cabin. I thought this was odd. They also said no carry on bags AT ALL.

I did immediately think of all the ff babies...funny- I never would have considered that before having dd.

 

[JessasMilkMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchie I remember a story a while back about a mother who was forced to drink her ebm. She was randomly selected for a security check. The lady was boarding the plane with her diaper bag and an infant. When the security guard found the bottles of ebm, he asked her to discard them. She refused, stating that it was her baby's food. The guard told her no liquids, and the fight started. They argued back and forth, this poor momma was in tears. She was uncomfortable with NIP, so she pumped for the plane. At any rate, the guard told her she would have to sample each bottle in order to board the airplane. She informed him that her bm would be contaminated, and the baby would be unable to eat.....long story short, she was forced to drink the milk, and they allowed her to board the plane. These airlines need to get a clue. 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.

I remember seeing something similar (on Bill O'Reilly lol but hey he was pro breastmilk!) - it was a Lawyer who was bringing home milk for her baby since she had been away. She refused to taste it, but unfortunately other mothers were intimidated (like the one you mentioned) and tasted it.