Airport security discarded ALL my frozen expressed milk before our flight

[Nadsthakur]

During security screening, approximately 25 ounces of my frozen expressed breast milk was confiscated and discarded. I was told that because it was frozen, it could not be tested and therefore could not be taken through security.

I explained several times that this milk was for my 8-month-old daughter, who is unable to latch and is exclusively fed expressed breast milk. This was not simply a drink or an inconvenience, it was my daughter's only prepared source of nutrition for our journey. Despite explaining this, I was told there was nothing that could be done, and I had to stand there and watch as the milk was thrown away.

I cannot put into words how upsetting this was. Expressing 25 ounces of breast milk takes an enormous amount of time, dedication and physical effort. It means pumping throughout the day and night, carefully storing every bottle and planning ahead. Every ounce represents hours of work. To have it thrown away in front of me, after explaining exactly how important it was, was absolutely heartbreaking.

What made the situation even worse was the attitude of the officers involved. Throughout the interaction, I felt they showed very little empathy or understanding of how serious this was. I was clearly distressed and repeatedly explained that they were taking away my baby's only food for our journey. Rather than trying to help, showing compassion or explaining whether there were any alternative screening options, my concerns were simply dismissed.

After my daughter's food had been thrown away, I was handed a customer feedback card and sent on my way. It genuinely felt as though nobody cared that an 8-month-old baby had just lost the only food I had prepared for her. The complete lack of compassion shown towards me as a mother was deeply upsetting and made an already distressing situation even worse.

Instead of looking forward to our holiday, I boarded an international flight feeling anxious and devastated, worrying about how I was going to feed my daughter while we were away. No parent should ever be put in that position.

Before travelling, I checked the guidance available to passengers. Ryanair's website clearly states that parents travelling with an infant can bring as much baby milk as needed for the flight, provided it is presented for inspection. I relied on this information when preparing for our journey. At no point was I made aware that frozen expressed breast milk could be refused because it could not be tested, and I was given no alternative option when I reached security.

I do not know the names of the officers involved, but im sure they can be identified through CCTV footage and staff rosters for the security checkpoint.
I want Manchester Airport to provide a full explanation of why my daughter's expressed breast milk was confiscated.
The specific policy or security procedure that required it to be discarded.
An explanation of why no alternative screening method. The time and physical effort it took to express and store it, and the significant distress, anxiety and disruption this caused to both me and my family.im supposed to enjoy my holiday and now im stressed in morroco about how I will feed her. She doesnt latch and only has expressed milk. Besides complaining to the Airport what else can I do so no other family goes through this.

Oh come on. The rule is 100ml and has been for decades now. Why did you think the rule didn’t apply to you?

Read the OP 🙄

You know that any of the airside cafes can boil the kettle for you, right?

Thanks I missed that bit.
Why didn't she take a pump with her?
And clearly it was a lot of milk whay more than what was needed for just the flight.

A breastfeeding mum would be very uncomfortable if they couldn't feed or express.

Wouldn't you just go on the plane with the milk powder and ask the cabin crewe for hot water to make the milk while you are on the plane. Or ask the airline in advance what normally happens if babies are on a flight.

Or if you are feeding them before you get on the plane just ask a cafe for hot water

The crew will do it for you

And so that’s ok to take on a plane but not what I’ve boiled myself?!

I’ve flown with babies probably more than 10 times now, and what usually happens is I bring my own water.

The security staff don't know that the contents of your flask is actually water and not nitric acid.

In fairness, I wouldn't trust the hot water dispenser on an aeroplane. It's a tank with an element inside it and it doesn't go all the way to boiling. But an airside cafe will fill a thermos for you, so no need to try to take hot water through security.

I agree with vast majority, it was incredibly daft not to check guidance.
I’m too poor to travel, but I’m sure you could’ve bought formula in one of the airport shops after they rightly disposed of it? If baby is hungry enough she’ll drink it and get used to it….. and you could’ve bought it so it was there as option, maybe baby would take it first time…. though would’ve been better to introduce before flight. You let your baby go hungry due to prejudice about formula.

The airport were just doing their job, following the guidelines which were there to keep everyone safe. You’ve got no grounds to complain. The airport probably does have some grounds to report for neglect of an infant though! You’re in Morocco and still haven’t bought her formula?!

Because baby milk IS exempt?

https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/baby-food-and-baby-milk

I’m so sorry this happened OP. As an exclusive pumper myself I know how heartbreaking and stressful this must have been. Expressed breast milk is precious and the time and effort it takes to make (along with not being able to hold your baby in that time) means you don’t want to waste a drop. I hope your baby had enough milk for the journey and you are managing to fit in the pumping whilst away. You’re an amazing mum for expressing for 8 months for your baby by the way!

Manchester recently threw out my sun cream despite it being less than 100ml and me being allergic to many suncreams....

When size bottle was it in?

Just to say that whatever the rules may say, I completely understand your pain at watching that precious breastmilk be thrown down the drain. From the reactions here it seems like only people who have never breastfed and expressed milk really understand just how precious it feels to you. Way more than gold or anything else!

So I completely understand why you're distraught about it. I'm sorry I have no useful advice though - just sympathy.

Or maybe just be practical instead of "precious ", and don't generalise. A lot of the criticism here has come from women who have travelled with kids and not keft their sense of entitlement at home.

I breastfed my kids so I can understand that the OP would be upset and annoyed with herself about her mistake.

That doesn’t mean I think it was OK to create a scene at security and abuse the staff!

That happened me too recently, cleansing liquid in a nearly empty 150ml container. It was a brand that's hard to find here, and I knew I was taking a risk trying to bring it, but it's such a stupid rule. How many actual bombs have ever been made up in the aeroplane toilet from bits and bobs?

It just seems like a rule that's there to give passengers the impression that their security is being taken care of by being excessively strict with passengers, when in fact the real risk is more likely to be things like terrorists getting a job as baggage handlers.

Not the point of your thread at all but I'm impressed your 8 month old stays full on just breast milk alone, if she's barely having any solids yet and no formula at all.

Is she not up about 5 times a night wanting to be fed?

Semtex. Is that explosive enough for you ?

How many actual bombs have ever been made up in the aeroplane toilet from bits and bobs?

Well of course the fact that hasn't happened could be taken as proof that the liquids and gels restriction has worked......

You know the rules, so don't complain.

I didn't mention women travelling or not though. I made a completely different point. And I didn't even say she was in the right, nor that she should have made a fuss or should get some sort of refund, so you can can your snootiness and your false sense of superiority.