A Canadian mother has sparked a backlash against United Airlines after she claimed a flight attendant tried to force her to cover up while she breastfed her five-month-old son . Kristen Hilderman , from Vancouver , said a male employee tossed a blanket at her husband as the plane taxied to a runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston . Mrs Hilderman said the incident occurred in front of other travellers and left her feeling embarrassed and furious . A breastfeeding mum said a United Airlines flight attendant tried to get her to cover up ( file photo ) The journalist has received plenty of support online after a tweet about her experience last Sunday sparked an angry response from fellow Twitter users . She said a United Airlines employee who contacted her by telephone yesterday apologised for the ‘ frustrating experience ’ and promised to follow up within 48 hours . The Hildermans were flying back to Vancouver after a holiday in Costa Rica and were on the final leg of their journey when the incident occurred . Mrs Hilderman said she was wearing a breastfeeding tank top when the flight attendant approached and asked her husband , Luc , if they were travelling together . Kristen Hilderman posted a letter along with this tweet , sparking a backlash against United Airlines . She wrote in a letter posted on Twitter : ‘ My husband replied “ Yes ” and then the flight attendant tossed a blanket at him ( didn ’ t even hand it TO him , but tossed it AT him ) and said tersely , “ Then HERE , help her out. ” . ‘ I had a blanket under my baby and a blanket draped across my knees and the plane was hot and stuffy… he wanted me to cover myself . ‘ I went beet red and the passengers around us stared with their mouths agape . I whipped around as the flight attendant walked down the aisle behind us and I said , “ Help me out with what ? ” ’ United Airlines contacted Kristen Hilderman on Twitter after she tweeted about her experience . The Vancouver mum said United Airlines has promised to respond to her complaint . Mrs Hilderman said she repeated herself in a louder tone , but the flight attendant continued to walk down the aisle and did not respond . She said other passengers were stunned , adding : ‘ A man a couple of rows back called out , “ Because you ’ re breastfeeding… he wants you to cover up . That is so offensive . I have a seven-month-old baby and if that happened… I would be so offended. ” ’ Mrs Hilderman said she didn ’ t want to make a further scene or get into trouble , but didn ’ t bother to use the blanket . She folded it and put it on the floor , and continued to breastfeed her son , Caleb . ‘ I felt so completely embarrassed , uncomfortable and self-conscious for the rest of the flight . A few passengers approached me to let me know that the flight attendant ’ s behaviour was completely out of line , and that they didn ’ t even know that I was breastfeeding my baby until he tried to make an example out of me. ’ Kristen Hilderman has received an outpouring of support after sharing her story online . One Twitter user accused United Airlines staff of displaying ' a complete lack of humanity ' Making matters worse , the flight was diverted to Seattle because of dense fog in Vancouver . When passengers reboarded to continue their journey , the same flight attendants were on board and a folded blanket had been placed on Mrs Hilderman ’ s seat . She said : ‘ Not a single other seat . Just mine . ‘ I am so furious about this entire incident . I ’ ve been breastfeeding my son [ in public ] since he was born , and never has anyone made me feel so uncomfortable and ashamed for feeding my baby without pulling a cover over his head . ' A United Airlines spokesman told MailOnline Travel that the Chicago-based carrier has reached out to Mrs Hilderman and will follow up with her to discuss her concerns . The spokesman said : ‘ United welcomes nursing mothers on board and we ask that crew members do their best to ensure their comfort and safety as they do with all customers .
Kristen Hilderman was flying from Houston to Vancouver with her family . She said she was breastfeeding her son as the plane taxied to a runway . A flight attendant tossed a blanket at her husband , she said . Mrs Hilderman claims the male employee said 'Here , help her out ' She said she was left feeling embarrassed , ashamed and furious . The airline says it has no record of this incident.