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Alyssa Milano's Breast Milk Confiscated at Airport

By Christopher Coble, Esq. on April 10, 2015 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Don't mess with momma, especially a breastfeeding momma!

Alyssa Milano was not happy (see tweets!) after security officers at London's Heathrow Airport confiscated her breast milk because it did not comply with liquid regulations. Milano had 10 ounces of breast milk. While airport regulations do allow her to bring a reasonable amount of milk with her if she was traveling with her baby, Alyssa was not with her baby. Without the baby, Milano had to comply with the 100ml limit for liquids.

Breastfeeding has been a touchy subject in the past few years. Many mothers are demanding their rights to breastfeed or pump in public. Others argue that breastfeeding in public is indecent and should be relegated to dirty bathroom stalls or the home.

Breastfeeding Laws

Almost all states have laws that allow women to breastfeed in any public location.

Twenty-nine states, such as Alaska and Arizona, exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws. Twenty-seven states and the federal government have laws requiring employers to provide an area where mothers can breastfeed or pump during work and time to do so. In California, Connecticut, and 17 other states breastfeeding mothers are exempt from jury duty.

Unique State Laws on Breastfeeding

Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, all malls, airports, ports, and public service government centers must have an accessible area for breastfeeding and diaper changing. There is even a law that makes August "Breastfeeding Awareness Month."

Louisiana

Louisiana prohibits childcare facilities from discriminating against breastfed babies. Also, the purchase of breastfeeding items, such as pumps, storage bags, or nursing bras is exempt from state sales tax.

New York

New York has a law that allows babies less than one year old to accompany their mothers to prison for the purpose of breastfeeding.

Heathrow airport may have been within its rights to confiscate Alyssa Milano's breast milk. But if you believe your breastfeeding rights back home in the U.S. may have been violated, an experienced civil litigation lawyer may be able to help.

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