Sign Up
Photo Credit: Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Milano’s recent travel experience through Heathrow Airport wasn’t very pleasant. The actress tweeted on Thursday (April 9), outraged that officials confiscated the breast milk she carried with her.
(1 of 2) @HeathrowAirport just took my pumped breast milk away. 10 ounces. Gone. Not okay.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 9, 2015
(2 of 2) They said they would let the pumped milk through if I had the baby with me. Why would I need to pump if I had the baby with me????
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 9, 2015
.@HeathrowAirport Why can you test my toiletries to make sure they are safe but you have to throw away my breast milk?
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 9, 2015
PS. Another reason it makes no sense – when I got past security it was time to pump again so… I did carry on 5 ounces of breast milk.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 9, 2015
PPS. I travel w/ a portable Medela breast pump on the plane. Hoping this is just a weird coincidence but my … http://t.co/i5ocz7W6o2
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 9, 2015
Heathrow’s official account responded to Milano, insisting politely that confiscation of certain liquids was simply a part of their safety rules, even breast milk.
@Alyssa_Milano Hi Alyssa. Unfortunately, without a baby present, the government requires all liquids in carry-ons to follow the 100ml rule.
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) April 9, 2015
@Alyssa_Milano Sorry for any confusion caused. To confirm, if you aren't travelling with your baby, milk is subject to the 100ml/(3.4oz) 1/2
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) April 9, 2015
@Alyssa_Milano liquid restriction. If you need further info this, I would encourage you to visit their website- http://t.co/tl8R8nj0FA 2/2
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) April 9, 2015
In U.S. airports, by contrast, breast milk is exempt from the above rule. Typically, the milk is screened during security checks and then returned to the mother.
Milano, a staunch advocate of breastfeeding, has been involved in controversy before. The 42-year-old mother of two once posted a breastfeeding photo to her Instagram that received backlash because some deemed it “inappropriate.”
Milano didn’t hesitate to respond, asserting that a woman breastfeeding was nothing to be ashamed of.
People seem divided on this one, with some commenting that the milk should have been allowed on board, while others think Milano simply wants special treatment and should have divided the milk into smaller containers.
Thoughts?
