Mother says she was forced to lactate by security at Frankfurt airport because breast pump was 'suspicious'

Gayathiri Bose from Singapore, who claims she was forced to lactate by security at Frankfurt airport. Photo / Facebook

A mother says she was forced to lactate by security officials at Frankfurt airport to prove she was still breastfeeding after officers deemed her breast pump suspicious.

Gayathiri Bose from Singapore, had travelled to the German airport en route to Paris but was without 3-year-old toddler and 7-month-old baby, according to the Daily Mail.

As she went to board her flight to the French capital, Ms Bose was pulled over by security officers after they scanned her carry-on bag.

She claims she had packed her breast pump inside the bag and when the security agents found it, they didn't know what the device was.

The 33-year-old says she was then forced to go into a private room for questioning with a female officer who took her passport.

It was then that she was forced to lactate to prove she was a breastfeeding mother as she was travelling alone.

Bose told the BBC: "She asked me to open up my blouse and show her my breast. She then asked how come I didn't have anything attached to my breast, if I was lactating and expressing breastmilk."

Bose said the incident, which lasted for nearly 45 minutes, was "humiliating" and "very traumatising".

"When they finally cleared me of the matter, I told them that this is not the way to treat someone. I said 'Do you know what you just did to me, you made me show my breast'."

"The officer just said, 'Okay it is over now, please go'. She was totally nonchalant, she didn't seem very remorseful or empathetic."

German federal police have declined to comment on the incident citing "reasons of data protection."

According to guidelines, breastfeeding mothers are allowed to take breast pumps on board planes in their hand luggage.

Some advise alerting officers when passing through security that they are carrying a breast pump so it can be screened accordingly.

Liquids have been restricted on board aircraft since 2006 and they can only be carried on a plane if they are under 100ml.

However, breast milk is exempt from this rule in the European Union and in the US, it can also be carried on board an aircraft so long as it is declared to security.