Traveling through airport security can be daunting for parents, especially when it involves managing breast milk and related supplies. Many parents, like Wisconsin mom Jenna Plager, choose road trips over flights due to the unpredictability of how breast milk is handled by airport security.
Jenna Plager, joined by her husband and their 10-month-old daughter Evelyn, frequently opts for road travel, as she shared on WPR’s “Morning Edition.” “Pump equipment is very inconsistent with the Transportation Security Administration,” she remarked.
Recently, the Plager family found relief with the signing of the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act (BABES Act) by President Donald Trump. This federal law builds upon a 2016 directive that classified breast milk as a “medically necessary liquid,” but lacked standardized TSA screening protocols for breast milk, formula, and related equipment.
The new legislation mandates that within 90 days, the TSA collaborates with recognized maternal health organizations to develop hygienic screening processes for breast milk and related items like ice packs. TSA agents will also undergo consistent training on these updated procedures.
Plager expressed gratitude for the law, emphasizing, “It brings peace of mind knowing that there is going to be more education and regulations for TSA agents.” She highlighted the reduced stress and minimized risk of milk contamination as key benefits.
Plager emphasized the importance of TSA agents understanding each component of breastfeeding equipment, noting that freshly expressed breast milk requires refrigeration after four hours. Despite the positive changes, Plager remains apprehensive about an upcoming plane trip without her daughter, as she will need to carry her pumping equipment to maintain her health regimen.
Wisconsin mother credits mom’s viral story for TSA changes
Jenna Plager credits the TSA policy shift to Emily Calandrelli, host of Netflix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab, whose viral story highlighted the need for change. In 2022, Calandrelli was compelled to discard a partially thawed ice pack required for her breast milk, as she traveled without her child.
Plager recalled, “(TSA) told her, it would be fine if you had the baby,” emphasizing Calandrelli’s need to explain that milk production continues even when the child is not present. This incident motivated Plager to follow the BABES Act closely, and she’s now more assured when navigating airport security.
“I know the law, I know my rights,” Plager affirmed. “I feel comfortable explaining that to TSA agents if needed.”
