In a heartbreaking incident, a military mother faced the loss of a cooler filled with 12 days’ worth of breastmilk while traveling with United Airlines. This situation highlights the emotional and physical toll of breastfeeding, especially for mothers who must balance their commitments and their child’s needs.
Jessica Cooper, a dedicated mother, had been separated from her 9-month-old son due to a two-week deployment. Throughout her time away, she diligently pumped milk to ensure her baby would have enough nourishment upon her return. Unfortunately, her efforts were met with an unforeseen setback.
“I just got back from a deployment exercise,” Cooper shared. “It was just 15 days, but being away from my little one felt like an eternity. As a nursing mother, I was anxious about not having enough milk stored.” Adjusting to the time zone and her son’s feeding schedule posed significant challenges, and just three days into her deployment, she developed mastitis—a painful condition that made pumping even more difficult.
Despite these obstacles, Cooper managed to pump an impressive supply of breastmilk. Proud of her accomplishments, she even sent photos of her stash to her partner. “I nearly gave up during my worst days with mastitis, but I was thrilled to fill that cooler to the brim with my liquid gold,” she recounted.
However, upon her arrival in Honolulu, Cooper discovered her cooler was not as she had left it. “When I picked up my cooler from baggage claim, I noticed it was not full,” she explained. “United Airlines lost over 12 days’ worth of breastmilk. When I approached customer service, the attendant dismissed my concerns, saying, ‘What do you expect me to do about lost breastmilk? Who would want to steal that?’”
This response only added to Cooper’s frustration after an exhausting 12-hour journey. “It is unacceptable for any of my belongings to be missing, regardless of what they contained,” she asserted. The emotional weight of losing the milk she had worked so hard to produce was overwhelming. Pumping requires meticulous planning and effort, and having that backup supply meant freedom and peace of mind, especially in case of future health issues.
When Cooper sought assistance from a baggage manager, her experience did not improve. “She informed me I could file a claim, but noted it likely wouldn’t be successful because breastmilk is considered free,” Cooper lamented. “I told her my time and effort are not free.”
The TSA regulations stipulate that checked coolers cannot be taped shut, but traveling with breastmilk as a carry-on is allowed in “reasonable quantities.” This often leads mothers to check in larger supplies, as they are well above the liquid limits for carry-on luggage.
Cooper’s appeal is simply for United Airlines to acknowledge their error and take responsibility. “I am devastated and exhausted from traveling. This is the last thing I expected to deal with. I urge others to share my story and hold United Airlines accountable.”
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In summary, Jessica Cooper’s experience with United Airlines underscores the emotional and physical challenges mothers face while breastfeeding and traveling. The loss of her meticulously pumped breastmilk not only represented a lost supply but also a significant emotional burden.