Nothing Infuriates Me More': The Breastfeeding Tweet That Ignited the Internet

A mother managed to ignite an Internet firestorm after she sent a tweet Friday to Delta Airlines asking about their breastfeeding policy.

"What's your breastfeeding policy?" Lindsay Jaynes asked Delta's customer service account, @DeltaAssist. According to WXIA-TV, the mother was preparing for an extended upcoming flight and was curious about the airline's on-board policy.

However, it's not likely she was prepared for the answer she received.

@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

Delta suggested an alternative, but as Jaynes later explained, it wasn't a viable option.

@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

@DeltaAssist So even though I am legally allowed to breastfeed without a cover, you're saying I can't? Is there a Delta written policy?

— Lindsay Jaynes (@ClassicHippie) February 21, 2014

Hours later, the airline finally responded to her inquiry, completely reversing their earlier position and saying that "Delta welcomes breastfeeding mothers and babies on our flights."

@ClassicHippie Delta welcomes breastfeeding mothers and babies on our flights. We apologize for the misinformation earlier. *TH

— Delta Assist (@DeltaAssist) February 21, 2014

It may have been too late, however. The back and forth ignited a firestorm online.

Hoping @DeltaAssist will clarify for all of us mamas why they told @ClassicHippie she can't breastfeed on flight without a cover? NOT OKAY.

— Erin Matson (@erintothemax) February 21, 2014

Nothing infuriates me more than imposing shame and modesty on women, especially when they are simply feeding their children. @DeltaAssist

— Kate Spencer (@katespencer) February 21, 2014

Seriously, @DeltaAssist - how can you have that stance on breast feeding? Need to educate yourselves.

— ZeeZee Bradshaw (@ZeeDarling) February 21, 2014

appalled that companies like @DeltaAssist are still so naive abt #breastfeeding I hope she gets compensated pic.twitter.com/116TkyPGis

— Sarah Schultz (@NurseLovesFarmr) February 22, 2014

This wasn't a one time issue, @delta @deltaassist. Takes more than an apology. Train and retrain your employees. #breastfeeding

— Casey (@CBerbs) February 23, 2014

Jayne told WXIA-TV that Delta later called her to apologize, but said she wasn't entirely sure it was sincere.

"I've flown Delta for years," she said. "And I don't feel like they're taking it seriously."

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Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter