12/04/2025
In a world where women’s rights are being tested… here’s some great news!
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"BREAKING: My bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act is now law! 👏 This law is about making it easier for parents to fly with breastmilk and breastfeeding supplies, ensuring TSA keeps its employees up to speed with its own policies and more. Huge win for families." -- Senator Tammy Duckworth
The act, which was signed into law last week, was inspired by aerospace engineer and science communicator Emily Calandrelli's harrowing experience at Los Angeles International Airport, when TSA officers confiscated her partially thawed ice packs during her first work trip away from her 10-week-old son. She was questioned by multiple male agents about why she needed the equipment without her baby present and was ultimately forced to check her items, meaning she couldn't pump before her flight for fear it would spoil. After Calandrelli shared her story on social media, it went viral and prompted hundreds of other moms to share similar experiences.
"I cried in the airport," Calandrelli wrote in an Instagram post detailing her experience three years ago. "I was embarrassed about having to explain breastfeeding to 3 grown men. I felt humiliated and emotional… But guess what? They were wrong. TSA rules specifically state that you are allowed to have gel ice packs (regardless if they are fully frozen!!) for medically necessary purposes. And emptying my breasts on a regular schedule and providing food for my child IS medically necessary."
Calandrelli's difficult experience spurred her into action, leading her to connect with Representatives Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell, both of California, who were passionate about addressing TSA agents' lack of awareness around breastmilk regulations. She also partnered with Chamber of Mothers, a national nonprofit advocating for paid leave, affordable childcare and maternal health, ultimately helping to achieve the unanimous passage of this landmark legislation three years later.
The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act became law on November 25, 2025. The legislative effort was led by Tammy Duckworth in the Senate, with Reps. Porter and Swalwell serving as its leading champions in the House. The legislation requires the Transportation Security Administration to strengthen and streamline screening protocols for breast milk, formula, and feeding equipment.
The law mandates that TSA work with third-party maternal organizations to update policies for hygienic handling of breast milk and formula every five years, ensure officers receive enhanced training, and includes a watchdog mechanism to collect data on policy violations and report them to Congress. This addresses a longstanding problem where, despite a 2016 law establishing breast milk and formula as "medically necessary liquids" exempt from standard liquid limits, many parents continued to face inconsistent enforcement and improper handling at security checkpoints.
Celebrating the victory this week, Calandrelli thanked the countless parents who shared their stories and pushed for change, telling them that "your calls and advocacy matter (and they work!)"
Kudos to everyone who made this new law protecting breastfeeding mothers a reality!
Emily Calandrelli is also the author of several children's books including "Reach for the Stars" for ages 4 to 8 (https://www.amightygirl.com/reach-for-the-stars-calandrelli) and "Ada Lace, On The Case" for ages 6 to 9 (https://www.amightygirl.com/ada-lace-on-the-case)
One way to reduce harassment about breastfeeding is to normalize nursing. For a sweet plush toy that allows kids to explore how a mama cat feeds her babies, check out the Nursing Nina plush for ages 2 to 6 which comes with three kittens that latch on thanks to kid-safe magnets at https://www.amightygirl.com/nursing-nina-cat
For a bestselling body book for younger kids that describes breastfeeding, as well as bottle-feeding, as normal ways to feed a baby, we recommend "It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends" for ages 4 to 8 at https://www.amightygirl.com/it-s-not-the-stork
For a practical guide for tween girls about breast health, we recommend "Taking Care of Your 'Girls': A Breast Health Guide for Girls, Teens, and In-Betweens" for ages 10 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/taking-care-of-your-girls
To inspire children and teens with stories of real-life girls and women who fought for change throughout history, visit our blog post, "50 Books About Women Who Fought for Change," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14364
To read more about Emily Calandrelli's experience and the new law, visit https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/she-felt-humiliated-by-tsa-now-her-viral-ordeal-is-helping-other-breastfeeding-moms-140025617.html
