Recommendations for Transporting Breastmilk Home

I had no problems transporting breast milk in containers that go with my pump. I DID have my child with me so maybe that helped. I would just let them know what it is.

I have pumped milk while away for a 4 day training session and was able to bring it home on an airplane without my baby. Just make sure you check with TSA in the cities you will be departing from and ask how they would like you to deal with it. Some cities want you to declare it (put it in a gray bin) others just want you to send it through the xray and then test it on the other side. Every TSA city is allowed to make up some rules so it's good to check. Make sure you pack the 1quart zip lock bags in case they want all the milk in those. No one said a word to me and I had about 12 packs departing Atlanta.

If you call ahead to the hotel they should be able to provide you with a fridge for your room. I froze what I pumped and then put all of that in a soft sided lunch sack with freezer packs and it was still cold when I got home. I used that once I was home for bottles as it had already been frozen and then partially defrosted. Then pumped new stuff for the freezer for the next trip.

Good luck, have a great trip.

I have had no problems bringing fresh breastmilk with me when I traveled home from a work trip. As long as it is a "reasonable" amount, and you take it out of your carry on and let them know...I didn't even have them test it. I had a cooler pack with me, and in one case even had a bottle of half drunk Odwalla because it helped keep the bottles upright. When they found that I told them that they could pour it out, but I would like to keep the empty bottle to make sure that the milk didn't fall over and he let me keep the juice too! They are actually really nice about it. They were okay with the frozen bags of milk too. I do have my pump in my carry-on though, one to make sure it is safe, and two so that they can truly see that I had to pump.

I am not sure about milk, but to transport fish I get a special box (from the post office or even some walmarts have them) that have a cooler inside. I pack the fish with dry ice and check it on the plane. The fish stays cool and fresh. I am guessing this would work with milk as well.

um...you know you're allowed to carry on breastmilk on all commercial flights now. This should be a non-issue

I've done similar things. I didn't have much trouble with TSA, but I only had a small quantity during that leg of my travels. I found it much simpler to overnight the milk. I got small styrofoam boxes with an outer cardboard box, and shipped it with many of the freezer gel packs. I got these boxes from scientific labs. Perhaps you could get them from a doctor's office--used with vaccine shipments?

n said...

I just traveled through Seattle-Tacoma airport and Los Angeles.....No problems taking 24 ounces of breastmilk and an ice pack through Seattle but LAX was a completely different story. They acted like I was trying to smuggle a bomb through and was going to throw away my MEDELA Ice pack that came with my pump in which all of my bottles of breastmilk were stored. They took my milk out and ran "tests" on it (looked like a microwave to me - who knows what it did to the milk). I had to fight them to allow me to go back downstairs to check in the freezer pack as it designed for my Medela storage bottles. They said the freezer pack had started to defrost( DUH! I had been in the airport for two hours before my flight and was trying to keep my milk cold for the flight). I had to put ice in baggies from a Burger King to keep the milk cold. All told, it took me about an hour to deal with it. Pain in the arse.

You can freeze the milk. Just don't warm it in the microwave - that damages the good stuff in there that is so helpful for the baby. If you could freeze it and wrap each container and keep in some kind of insulated bag in your checked luggage (not carry on). Maybe stick a block of dry ice in it. (You might need to check on that with the airlines?) At least some kind of ice to keep it cold as long as possible. Once it thaws out though I believe you should NOT re-freeze it, but you could put it in the fridge to use after you get home and continue pumping during those days you use it, and freeze the newer milk for the next trip - use a deep freezer if you have one.

I travelled without my son and had to pump when he was 3 months old. I had a milk storage cooler as part of the pump bag so it was all together as a set. I took the pump as carry-on and just made sure it was put through xray as a single piece ( I have put the pump inside a backpack and just took it out for security). While away I was able to freeze the milk in the hotel's mini fridge/freezer. Security did not even blink an eyelash with the frozen milk, pump and no baby. I just got back from a trip with my son this time. Again, I had the pump with me and milk in the storage compartment - most was frozen but not the stuff I pumped that morning. Again no problem with security. Just in case they do decide to search the pump have the shields in a ziploc bag and caps on the bottles.

My experience: They will not let you carry it on the plane unless there's a baby with you. Get some dry ice, pack it solidly in a small cooler and check it inside your baggage OR overnight it home---though I'm totally unsure of what mail service will allow it. Breastmillk is considering a hazard 'cause it apparently carries blood-borne pathogens.

I had a similar experience pumping for a weekend while away, then was told I couldn't take it on the plane with me, almost starting crying right there! A kind man helped me rearrange my little carry-on which was then checked. Problem solved.
Good job mommin'!

This is actually really easier than you think! If going thru TSA proves to be a problem, there is always shipping. You will have to check with FedEx and UPS for Priority Overnight Service (will be expensive but it will get there before thawing)...Be sure to ask them what their limitations are for the use of DRY ICE when they are transporting the package. With that said, the use of DRY ICE is a must. Also, you will need to buy yourself a cheap styrofoam container/cooler, available at any grocery store and I have also seen them really cheap at Wal-Mart. Pack the dry ice block on the bottom then layer the the frozen milk then top of the container with another block of dry ice. Tape cooler closed, label and get into the mail immediately.

You might also want to check this link for some shipping info as well. http://milkshare.birthingforlife.com/shipping

Good luck!

Hi S.,
I travelled for a week back in March without baby boy. The hotel supplied me with a fridge, I froze the pumped milk, and had no issue with TSA on my return trip. You just have to tell them (TSA) what you have and show it to them. They also allow for those freezer pack things that keep the milk cold - but they must be frozen solid. I wrote to TSA asking this very same question and they explained to me that they allow breastmilk (and those freezer pack things). The TSA website even states: "Now, a mother flying without her child will be able to bring breast milk through the checkpoint, provided it is declared prior to screening." See TSA's website: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

M.

Here is what I did when I had to travel and pump. I was sure to get rooms with a frig/freezer. I stored the milk in bags and froze them immediately. When it was time to travel home, I had a small cooler that I stored the milk in dry ice in and just checked it instead of carry on. You could also send it overnight if you want, the key is to just keep it frozen, breast milk should only be used within 24 hours if not frozen.

Good luck!

I'm a flight attendant, and nursed my son for thirteen months. Travel is tricky, but not impossible. I admire your commitment
For a five-day trip, I would keep the milk frozen. Most hotels will give you a fridge in your room at no charge if you explain your situation. The freezer compartments work well. If they refuse to put a fridge in your room, bring them your milk, and ask them to store it for you. Getting your milk through security should be no problem. Some airplanes have chiller carts in the galley, but space is often an issue, so they may not be able to store your milk. If your flight is only a couple of hours, you should be fine. Good luck!

You won't be able to transport the milk in your carry-on without the child - even when they are there, you're only supposed to have an amount sufficient for the duration of the trip.

If you check it in your checked-bags, I'd make sure to have an insulated bag and several ice packs (you'll also need a refrigerator with a freezer compartment).

Your best bet is to FedEx it, but you'll want to check various couriers to make sure the items you'll need (styrofoam cooler, disposable ice packs) are available.

When I had to travel while pumping, I just pumped and dumped and did extra pumping sessions when home to make up the difference. It stinks, but it was the most logical way for me to do that.

Good luck!

You can bring the milk on the plane- they will just open the containers and test them. It's non-invasive.

Having said that, there is a real chance that you will damage the supply if you don't package it correctly. I would NOT suggest packing it in your suitcase. You may be more successful "double bagging" the milk and asking the hotel about leaving it in the freezer until just before you leave. Pack it in an insulated bag and carry it on with you.

You can carry your milk on the plane. I was just on a business trip where a colleague pumped the whole trip, and she had no problem bringing all of her milk home. Declare it before the x-ray machine, because they won't want it to go through. They'll "process" you a different way. :) Also, I'd suggest refrigeration as opposed to freezing. Milk can be refrigerated 5-8 days, then popped in the freezer. If you were to freeze before flying and then it defrosts, you only have 24 hours to use it.

I did this once and I froze it and transported it home frozen with freezer packs to keep it frozen). Also, you can have more than 5 oz of liquid if it's breastmilk. But check the TSA website to see if that's still the case, it's been a couple of years since I did this. Hope this helps! Good luck!