Mom Sent to Pet Area to Breastfeed; Patch Quiz: 'What's A Baby?'

“Can’t believe United Airlines told me to either pump my breast milk in the restroom or the pet relief center. Seriously?!? Total fail. Can not make this up.”

That’s the status Liz Cooper posted on her Facebook page earlier this week.

She has since received an apology, but this Newton mom was horrified when she says a United Airlines employee told her to use a room intended for pets to relieve themselves to pump her breastmilk.

Liz Cooper, who was traveling with her four-month-old baby, says she was pointed to the room at Dulles International Airport when she asked about breastfeeding, reports WHDH-TV Channel 7 News.

The employee suggested the pet relief area after Cooper remarked that using a bathroom was unsanitary. The woman told Cooper that, “Not many dogs have been in the airport today,” according to ABC News.

At Dulles for a layover, it was the first time she flew with her baby, and she was headed to Hershey, PA, for a conference. She told WCVB, “There was no door, and there was a red fire hydrant in there for dogs to pee,” and also added that she wasn’t allowed in the United Club area because she wasn’t a member.

Ultimately, Cooper used an area in the terminal to pump milk.

“We welcome nursing mothers to breastfeed or pump on our aircraft and in our facilities,” United Airlines said in a statement to WHDH. “We are reaching out to Ms. Cooper to apologize that we weren’t able to provide her more suitable accommodations.”

“Dulles International Airport DOES NOT currently have a dedicated nursing mothers room,” according to Moms Pump Here, a review site for nursing moms to locate accommodations while traveling. Dulles officials responded with a statement: “We have companion/family restrooms located throughout the airport. We are also working to designate four additional private rooms in the Main Terminal for breastfeeding use. The rooms will include a chair, a flat surface and an electrical outlet.”

Photo Credit: WHDH, Channel 7 News