SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act will make air travel easier for parents carrying breast milk and baby formula.
The bipartisan law led by Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth requires TSA to update and clarify its policies for handling these items. The law also mandates hygienic standards and regular training for TSA officers.
WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Sarah Sherman explained that in many cases, the breast milk was being tampered with to the point that it was unsafe to give to children.
"You're pumping all of this milk, and for it to then either be taken away, thrown out, getting confiscated, or contaminated with something, you're not able to give it to your baby. That's defeating. It's already hard," Sherman said.
Sherman said she hopes the new guidelines will give breastfeeding mothers more peace of mind.Â
"I think it's another step in the right direction to protect breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding rates are pretty low, and there are a lot of setbacks for moms in general, especially with maternity leave. And all of those things. So anything we can do to protect breastfeeding, I think, is important," Sherman said.
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