Traveling with breast milk: Here’s what you need to know

breast milk

Feeding. If you’re a breastfeeding mom and you’re traveling, rest assured that there are ways to safely breastfeed, pump, and store breast milk on an airplane. Your breast pump is allowed on the plane, and TSA regulations state that you can carry on breast milk – along with frozen or gel ice packs. (Allow for some extra time at the airport to get through security, as you may be subject to additional screening.) If you’ll be away for more than a few days, you can send milk home via a breast milk shipping service.

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If you’re a breastfeeding, pumping, or exclusively pumping mom, you may be wondering how this will all work when it’s time to travel with or without your baby. The good news: Flying with breast milk is possible, and many pumping moms board airplanes with their breast pumps and coolers full of breast milk every day. Find out about pumping and breastfeeding on planes and in airports, TSA regulations for breast milk, and how to store milk at your destination or get it home safely.

What’s the best way to keep breast milk fresh while traveling?

When you’re moving from place to place, the best way to store breast milk is in sealed containers kept in a small, insulated cooler with frozen ice packs.

For containers, many moms like to use pre-sterilized, sealable bags that are specially designed for storing breast milk. You can also use hard plastic or glass containers – just make sure whatever you use is clean (wash with hot, soapy water, rinse well, and air dry) and tightly sealed.

You may want to put only a small amount of milk in each container – 2- to 4-ounce portions – so you’ll have a single serving ready to feed your baby, if they’re traveling with you. If you’ll be freezing your milk, leave about an inch of room at the top of each container to allow for expansion.

Your milk will stay fresh for 24 hours in a cooler with frozen ice packs. You’ll be able to give it to your baby that day or the next, or take it with to where you’re staying and stick it in a fridge or freezer for longer storage. (If you’ll be staying at a hotel when you’re traveling, be sure to call the property ahead of time and let them know you’ll need a mini-fridge in your room.)

If you won’t be using your milk right away, label your container with the date so you’ll know its freshness. Breast milk stays fresh for four hours at room temperature, four days in the refrigerator, and 6 to 12 months frozen.

(Note that if your breast milk was frozen and thawed during travel, you need to use it within 24 hours – for safety’s sake, you can’t refreeze it at your destination.)

What are the TSA regulations for flying with breast milk?

TSA regulations state that you can bring breast milk on an airplane in “reasonable quantities” above the 3.4-ounce rule that applies for other liquids and gels. This is true whether you’re traveling with your baby or not. Let TSA officers know before you go through security that you’re traveling with breast milk or frozen/gel ice packs.

That said, TSA officers may request you transfer a small sample of your breast milk for screening. Your breast milk will still be safe if it’s X-rayed, but you’re allowed to request that TSA officers don’t open your milk; you just may then be asked to go through additional screening procedures.

Ice packs, freezer packs, and frozen gel packs are allowed through security, too – it doesn’t matter if they’ve started to melt a little and get slushy. Note though, that a slushy ice pack may be subject to additional screening. Traveling with solid ice packs may save you some time.

It’s a good idea to allow extra time for getting through security at the airport, since your breast milk and the ice packs you bring to store it may be subject to additional screening.

Unfortunately, even though the TSA rules are clear and TSA officials receive ongoing training to assure that they’re treating travelers carrying breast milk and formula fairly, many breastfeeding moms have still had uncomfortable, frustrating, and even embarrassing experiences with screening officials when trying to get through security with breast milk and ice packs. A good rule to follow: Print the TSA regulations and keep a copy with you (or on your phone) when you’re traveling, and if an agent gives you a hard time, ask to speak to their supervisor.

If you won’t need the breast milk you’re traveling with during your flight, you could always check your breast milk in a small insulated cooler with frozen ice packs. The storage compartments in planes stay quite cool, so your breast milk will be fine for the duration of a domestic flight.

Can you bring a breast pump on an airplane?

Yes. Your breast pump is considered a personal item and can be carried on like a laptop or a purse on most airlines. While some airlines consider breast pumps a medical device and don’t count it toward your carry-on total, others do. Call your airline ahead of time to confirm their policy.

Keep in mind that depending on the type of airplane you’re flying in, if you need to pump during your flight and want to stay in your seat, you may not always have easy access to a plug for an electric breast pump. In this case, having a battery-powered or manual breast pump is handy.

Breastfeeding and pumping while flying

If you’re flying with your baby and you need to breastfeed during a flight, go right ahead. There are no rules or restrictions that prevent you from breastfeeding in your seat. You may prefer to drape a nursing cover or scarf over your chest to be discreet, and if you’d like, you can be transparent and let your seatmates known from the start that you intend to breastfeed.

If a fellow passenger complains about your breastfeeding or feels uncomfortable, let a flight attendant know; they’ll be able to help accommodate you or reseat the other passenger. Most flight attendants will take extra steps to make sure you’re comfortable.

Consider booking a window seat, which will give you slightly more room and privacy if you’re breastfeeding or pumping. Another option is to breastfeed or pump in the airplane restrooms. This works for some moms who prefer additional privacy, but it’s not a very comfortable option – and, some moms say, not very sanitary or pleasant.

If you plan to pump or breastfeed in flight, keep in mind the best times to do so. If you’re pumping you may have to wait until after the captain has allowed the use of electronic devices after take-off. If you’re breastfeeding and traveling with your baby in your lap, you may want to consider feeding them during takeoff or landing to help relieve pressure in your baby’s ears.

Note: Studies have found that the tap water on some airplanes may contain coliform bacteria, so don’t use it to clean your pumping equipment or bottles. You might want to request bottled water if you do need to clean your equipment while in flight.

Remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before pumping or handling your pumping equipment. (A small amount of hand sanitizer is safe to use on your baby’s hands as well.)

Breastfeeding and pumping at the airport

In most of the countries have a law in place that allows for women to breastfeed in any public or private location, and that includes airports.

In addition there are some countries that all medium and large hub airports must provide a private, non-bathroom lactation space in every terminal for moms to breastfeed or pump. In some airports, these are dedicated nursing lounges or family rooms, while others have special “nursing pods” throughout the airport.

If you’re traveling internationally, you may want to do some research before you leave: Cultural attitudes toward breastfeeding vary by country and by culture. When you get to your destination, ask at an information desk for an appropriate place to pump or breastfeed. And don’t forget to pack an adapter (or extra batteries) for your electric breast pump if you need it.

Is shipping breast milk possible?

If you’re traveling away from your baby for an extended period of time, you may want to consider shipping breast milk home to your baby or to be stored in your home freezer. While it can be more difficult and expensive than carrying the milk home yourself, it’s certainly possible.

If you’re able to freeze your breast milk, you can ship that frozen milk home in a cooler with ice packs using overnight shipping. Some postal services can do this for you; or private shipping companies like FedEx have cold-shipping package options that allow you to send breast milk home via overnight delivery. If the milk arrives frozen it can be stored in the freezer for future use. If it thaws, however, the milk shouldn’t be refrozen – it will have to be used within 24 hours.

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