When science communicator and new mom Emily Calandrelli (@thespacegal) traveled for work, she brought her breast pump and stored milk through TSA, as many pumping parents do. Instead of a routine screening, she was questioned about why she had milk without her baby, and her equipment was inspected in ways that did not match TSA policy. She later described the experience as humiliating.
When she shared it publicly, thousands of parents responded with similar stories. Together, those experiences helped drive a federal bill: the BABES Enhancement Act, which has now passed both chambers of Congress and is awaiting the President’s signature.
Why so many parents saw themselves in Emily’s story
Responses to Emily’s post are filled with experiences that mirror her own. Some parents described being told to throw away milk they had produced on work trips. Others shared that agents tried to open stored milk, apply chemical tests, or handle pump parts without clean gloves. Many noted that they travel with printed TSA rules to avoid being challenged by staff who are unfamiliar with their own policy.
Congresswoman Salazar echoed what many parents have shared, saying she has heard “heartbreaking stories of parents and breastfeeding mothers facing inconsistent policies at airport checkpoints, because of the absence of clear TSA standards.”
These shared experiences reveal how common it is for parents to arrive prepared, then face confusion or treatment that suggests they are doing something unusual by carrying infant food.
Related: Moms are fighting back against TSA’s breast milk mistreatment—will this bill finally fix it?
How a viral moment turned into federal legislation
After Emily shared her experience publicly, breastfeeding advocacy groups and parents who travel for work began pushing for policy change. Members of Congress, including Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Eric Swalwell, sponsored legislation to address the lack of enforceable guidelines for screening milk and feeding equipment. Both the Senate and the House approved the BABES Enhancement Act unanimously, as confirmed through Congress.gov.
Rep. Swalwell emphasized how stressful travel already is for new parents, noting, “Having a baby in your arms is already a challenge and the last thing mothers should worry about is whether their breast milk or formula will be mishandled at the checkpoint.” He called the bill “a huge win for traveling mothers,” adding that it ensures “TSA officers receive proper training and follow robust hygienic standards so parents can travel with confidence.”
Congresswoman Pettersen also spoke directly to parents’ lived experiences when she said, “Outdated regulations or lack of training shouldn’t add to an already stressful situation.” She described how many parents have had to throw out milk or supplies despite them being TSA approved, and said the bill supports families “so parents can travel without worrying that they will be confiscated, contaminated or mishandled.”
What the BABES Act will change for parents
The Act requires TSA to establish and maintain clear standards for screening breast milk, formula, feeding supplies, and pump parts. These changes will take effect after the bill is signed and training is completed. Key provisions include:
Hygienic handling requirements
TSA must outline safe screening methods that prevent contamination and require clean glove use when handling feeding items. The full requirement is listed in the legislation text on Congress.gov.
Consistent guidance across airports
The Act mandates uniform, standardized screening procedures to reduce contradictions between airports, a response to the inconsistent treatment many parents reported.
As Rep. Salazar stated, “the government should never stand between parents and their child’s nourishment while traveling.” She said this bill guarantees “clear rules, proper training, and full transparency so parents can travel knowing their baby food will be protected.”
Increased federal oversight
The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General will audit TSA’s compliance and report findings to Congress. Oversight language appears in Section 3 of the bill on Congress.gov.
Gradual implementation
Because rollout will take time, it remains important for parents to know current policies and document mistreatment if it occurs.
What parents should know if they are flying with breast milk or a pump now
TSA’s current policies already allow parents to carry feeding supplies, whether or not a child is traveling with them. These rules are summarized by the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee and based on TSA guidance.
Current TSA rules
- Breast milk, formula, and juice are exempt from TSA’s standard liquid limits, per TSA
- Parents can travel with milk without an infant present
- Agents must offer alternative screening methods instead of opening containers
Before traveling
- Save a screenshot of TSA’s rules
- Keep milk and pump supplies together in a bag or cooler
- Request clean gloves before agents handle feeding items
Suggested language for the checkpoint
- “I am traveling with expressed milk and pumping equipment”
- “These items can be screened without opening the containers”
- “Could you please use clean gloves before handling any feeding items”
If policies are not followed
You can file a report through the TSA complaint system or the DHS Office of Inspector General.
What this moment shows about parents creating change
Emily’s story reflects a larger pattern in which parents push institutions to update policies that affect family life. Legislative changes related to workplace pumping protections, lactation spaces in airports, and postpartum medical care standards have also been shaped by parent advocacy, as reported by publications including The 19th and analyzed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Congresswoman Pettersen spoke to this broader significance, saying she is “glad to see it pass in the House with bipartisan support,” calling it a “commonsense step to support families and keep our kids safe and healthy.”
For anyone who has traveled with a pump bag or stored milk, this legislation acknowledges that feeding an infant should not require emotional endurance at a security checkpoint. It establishes clearer expectations and offers a path toward more consistent treatment of families traveling with breast milk and feeding equipment.