We can all empathize with the heartache this mother faced when her breastmilk went missing. For those who have pumped and stored breastmilk, the pride of seeing those little bags filled with liquid gold is immeasurable. Imagine the anguish if those bags, which required immense effort to produce, suddenly vanished.
Samantha Collins, a military mom, had to leave her 9-month-old daughter during a two-week deployment. Determined to provide for her baby, she pumped diligently throughout her time away. However, her plans took an unexpected turn.
“I just returned home after a deployment exercise,” Samantha shared. “Though it was only 15 days, being apart from my little one was incredibly tough. As a nursing mother, I worried about not having enough milk stored in the freezer.”
Once she arrived in Honolulu, keeping up with her pumping schedule proved challenging due to the time difference and her baby’s feeding routine. Just three days in, she faced mastitis, a painful condition that made her pumping sessions excruciating. “I had it before, but this time was the worst — terrible fevers and unbearable pain. I fought through it,” she noted.
Despite these challenges, Samantha managed to pump an impressive supply of breastmilk over 12 days. She felt a wave of pride and excitement, even sharing photos of her stash with her husband. “I was tempted to give up during the worst of the mastitis, but I filled that cooler to the brim with my liquid gold,” she recounted.
Upon her arrival home, Samantha headed to baggage claim to retrieve her cooler, only to find it was missing. “That picture of milk in the cooler? Well, it wasn’t full anymore,” she said, realizing the gravity of the situation.
“United Airlines lost over a dozen days’ worth of breastmilk. When I approached customer service, the representative threw her hands up and said, ‘What do you want me to do about lost breastmilk? Who would want to steal THAT?’” After traveling for over 12 hours, Samantha was understandably frustrated. “I told her it was unacceptable for any of my luggage to be missing, regardless of what was inside.”
Indeed. While the airline may not be able to replace that precious breastmilk, her feelings of devastation are completely justified. Pumping requires time, effort, and meticulous planning. Having that milk means nourishment for her baby and a safety net for emergencies, like another bout of mastitis.
Samantha’s experience with United Airlines baggage services was far from satisfactory. “The manager told me I could file a claim, but it likely wouldn’t help since breastmilk is considered free. I reminded her that my time and effort were not free,” she stated.
According to TSA guidelines, checked coolers cannot be taped shut, but mothers can carry breastmilk on board in “reasonable quantities.” Many moms opt to check it instead, as two weeks’ worth of milk exceeds the usual onboard liquid limits.
“I just want United Airlines to acknowledge their error and take responsibility,” Samantha expressed. “I’m distraught and utterly exhausted from traveling. This was the last thing I expected to deal with. Please help me make United Airlines accountable. Share my story!”
In similar topics, for those considering home insemination, check out our post on the Baby Maker at Home Insemination Kit or the Impregnator at Home Insemination Kit. These kits can be a great resource for families looking to expand their horizons. For further information on pregnancy and fertility issues, this support group is a valuable resource.
In summary, Samantha Collins’ story highlights the emotional turmoil of a mother dedicated to providing for her child, only to have her hard work lost in transit. The airline’s lack of accountability adds to her distress, emphasizing the challenges faced by nursing mothers.
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