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SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A Newport Beach woman got into a controversial exchange with a Delta Airlines customer service representative on Twitter about the mother’s right to breastfeed her baby aboard a plane.
Lindsay Jaynes told KCAL9’s Stacey Butler that she went online to book a flight with her newborn son, who is recovering from oral surgery and has acid reflux.
“I noticed that there wasn’t any statement about a breastfeeding policy,” she said.
Jaynes decided to tweet at Delta’s customer service account to ask if they had a policy.
@DeltaAssist What’s your breast feeding policy? I’ll be flying with my 10wk old son and he won’t nurse with a cover or take a bottle. Thanks—
Lindsay Jaynes (@ClassicHippie) February 21, 2014
“All I really wanted was a written statement by them to show any of the flight attendants or anyone on the plane just in case there was an issue,” Jaynes said.
A Delta representative wrote back that she would not be able to breastfeed without a cover-up.
@ClassicHippie I Lindsay unfortunately you are not able to breast feed if you don’t have a cover up. I’m sorry. *SD—
Delta Assist (@DeltaAssist) February 21, 2014
“I have tried since day one to use a cover with him and to use a bottle, and he refuses to feed with either one,” Jaynes told Butler.
Jaynes asked if the rep had a suggestion because her boy needs to eat every two hours and she’s on a six-hour flight.
@DeltaAssist My flight is six hours and he needs to eat every two hours. What do you suggest?—
Lindsay Jaynes (@ClassicHippie) February 21, 2014
The rep told Jaynes that she could bring the breast milk on the plane.
@ClassicHippie I would suggest pumping if you can and bringing it on board with you. You are allowed to bring breast milk on board. *SD—
Delta Assist (@DeltaAssist) February 21, 2014
Jaynes said she was so upset, she contacted breastfeeding advocacy groups. They retweeted her tweets and contacted Delta.
On Friday, Delta tweeted an apology about the misinformation.
@ClassicHippie Delta welcomes breastfeeding mothers and babies on our flights. We apologize for the misinformation earlier. *TH—
Delta Assist (@DeltaAssist) February 21, 2014
A Delta spokesperson told Butler that the customer service rep who issued the tweets made a mistake.
Jaynes just wants a breastfeeding policy posted on Delta’s website.