Every mother can relate to the heart-wrenching experience of pumping and storing breast milk, often referred to as “liquid gold.” Imagine pouring your heart and soul into filling those small bags, only to have them go missing. This is the unfortunate reality for one military mom, Sarah Miller, who had to be separated from her 9-month-old son during a two-week deployment. Determined to provide for her child, she diligently pumped throughout her absence, filling a cooler with 12 days’ worth of breast milk.
However, things took a turn for the worse when Sarah returned home. “I just got back from a deployment exercise that lasted 15 days, leaving my little one behind,” she shared. “As a nursing mother, it was tough knowing I didn’t have enough stored up.” The time zone difference made it challenging to keep up with her pumping schedule, and she battled through painful mastitis, a condition that made the experience even more grueling. “I had it before, but this time was the worst. I fought through fevers and excruciating pain while pumping,” she explained.
Despite these challenges, Sarah managed to pump enough milk to fill her cooler. Proud of her accomplishment, she sent pictures of her stash to her husband, celebrating her success amidst the difficulties. “I almost gave up during the worst of the mastitis, but I ended up filling that cooler to the brim,” she recounted.
Upon arriving at baggage claim, however, Sarah made a shocking discovery: her cooler was nowhere to be found. “That picture of milk in the cooler? Yeah, it wasn’t even close to full,” she lamented. “United Airlines lost over 12 days’ worth of breast milk. When I reported it to the customer service representative, she threw her hands in the air and said, ‘What do you want me to do about lost breast milk?! Who would want to steal that?’”
After over 12 hours of travel, Sarah felt utterly defeated. “It’s unacceptable for any of my luggage to be missing, regardless of what was in it,” she asserted. Losing that milk meant not only losing nourishment for her baby but also losing the freedom that comes with having a stocked supply. If she were to experience mastitis again, that backup milk would have been invaluable.
Sarah’s encounter with the United Airlines baggage customer service manager was equally unhelpful. “She mentioned I could file a claim, but it probably wouldn’t be beneficial because breast milk is free. I reminded her that my time and effort are not free,” she expressed. The TSA guidelines state that checked coolers cannot be taped shut, but breast milk can be carried on board in reasonable quantities. This often leads mothers to check their milk, especially when traveling with larger amounts.
Sarah’s plea is simple: she wants United Airlines to acknowledge their mistake and take responsibility. “I am devastated and exhausted from traveling. This was the last thing I expected to deal with. Please help me make United Airlines accountable for this,” she urged. She encourages others to share her story to bring attention to the issue.
For additional insights on breast milk storage and parenting, you can explore resources like this guide on pregnancy and the importance of planning during your parenting journey. If you’re considering home insemination, check out this helpful article. For more on the topic, visit Modern Family Blog.
Summary
Sarah Miller, a military mother, faced the heartbreaking loss of her cooler filled with 12 days’ worth of breast milk after flying with United Airlines. Battling mastitis during her deployment, she was proud of her accomplishment in pumping and storing milk for her baby. However, upon her return home, she discovered her cooler was missing, leading to a frustrating encounter with customer service. Sarah’s story highlights the emotional and logistical challenges mothers face when it comes to breastfeeding and traveling.