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I've never flown w/o LO, but I would be SO mad!

I haven't. I have travelled with four days worth of frozen milk as a carry on and had no issues. I would have been beyond pissed if they'd thrown it away. I probably would have insisted that they let me go back to the ticket counter and check the cooler.

That 3.4 oz rule doesn't even apply to breast milk!

http://www.tsa.gov/traveling-formula-breast-milk-and-juice

"However, travelers flying with or without a child may bring medically necessary liquids, such as formula, breast milk and juice, in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces in their carry-on baggage."

ETA: Ooops - this is a US rule and Heathrow is in the UK - my bad!!

@MrsH: I was traveling in Ireland without baby and chose to put my 30-40 ounces of pumped milk from the 6 day trip in checked luggage for this exact reason...the law is different in Europe. In the US I would have carried it on.

@miramira: That link says because she was not with the baby she could not being it in carry-on (cabin) luggage:
Can I carry breast milk in the cabin?
If you are travelling with a baby or infant you can carry a reasonable amount outside of your liquid bag for your journey. To assist security screening, please do not carry these items in a flask. If you are not travelling with a baby / infant all your liquids must comply with the 100ml rule. Spare supplies should be packed in hold baggage.

@NorthStar: Thanks for the clarification! I just realized that, so their rules are different than ours. What a bummer for Alyssa.

@danda: just noticed that after posting, oops!

No!! I brought mine frozen but I had 12 oz when I traveled with my 4 week old. I would have freaked!!!

Sucks for her, but it doesn't sound like the security agent was in the wrong-- the rules were being followed.

I find her to be really annoying, honestly, with all the attention-seeking. Rules are rules - deal with it.

I would have been livid. While I was still pumping, I used to have to travel sometimes 3-4 days for work. No TSA agent gave me any issues. Once a woman tried to even say something and I told her that I was well within TSA regulations to carry breastmilk. I think she was shocked that I would even mention that (some times the former lawyer in me comes out).

Also for those who are interested here are the rules regarding carrying breastmilk via the TSA's website.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveling-formula-breast-milk-and-juice

I find other countries are much more strict about liquids when flying from abroad to the U.S. Instead of letting you buy liquids after you've been through security, they will confiscate ALL liquids before getting on a plane to the U.S. They're not interested in parsing through things whether you bought at the food kiosk across from your gate or not. I think it's done to comply with U.S. regulations without having to think much about it, but it has meant that I have had to be on flights that are sometimes 12 hours without any water of my own. Not fun.

@BKCaribBaby: on that note, I had a package of wipes confiscated while flying out of Europe to the US, the agent told me that they were considered liquids, who knew? But I just handed them over and carried on.

@looch: Wow! Talk about strict!

Yes, they followed the rules. But, that doesn't mean she doesn't have a right to disagree with the rules. Some rules are bad, and this is one of them. I'm pretty sure the large majority of mothers who have ever pumped would have been very unhappy to have to throw out their breastmillk. In all honesty if I were flying internationally, I think I probably would make an assumption that the rules would be the same as they are in the US.

@loveisstrange: @meredithNYC: Just because someone chooses to breastfeed and advocate for what she thinks is best for breastfeeding mothers that doesn't make her "obnoxious" or mean she's on some sort of mission to impress us all with her ability to breastfeed.

As an EPer, I would have been so sad--I know what it's like to know you have little/no stash at home and know your baby needs what you have pumped while away. My LO was MSPI and wouldn't take Neocate, so I didn't have any options other than BM.

I like that extra attention is being given, so that maybe it spurs on some policy change. My LO also has to travel with special food, and we carry a doctor note, the foods and the milk are tested, and we are subject to an extra body pay down, which I don't mind because we can't just go through security and buy cows milk or something.

I think testing the milk bags is a safe and fair alternative to the current rule.

I've flown a ton with breast milk and no baby and never had issues. I usually carry it on frozen. I usually have 5 full days of pumping so it's about 100 oz. I've never tried international flights though.

She can disagree with the rules all she likes, and though I do personally think she loves the attention for breastfeeding, whatever, it could be still a good rule to try to get changed or bring awareness to...but getting into a Twitter argument with an airport representative over a government rule just rubs me the wrong way. S/he didn't make the rule and the people who threw out her breast milk- the airport, the people she's complaining about- probably have no authority to make exceptions. Just my opinion.

@BKCaribBaby: It just highlights the fact that the rules are different, not always better, truth be told.