How do you store breast milk for a long flight?

Storing Breast Milk for Long Flights: A Comprehensive Guide
Traveling with a baby can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to ensuring that your little one has access to fresh breast milk during a long flight. Proper storage and handling of breast milk are crucial to maintain its safety and quality. Here’s how to effectively store breast milk for your journey.
Understanding Breast Milk Storage Guidelines
Breast milk can be stored safely in various conditions, depending on the duration of your travel. At room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C), freshly expressed breast milk can be kept for about four hours. If you need to store it longer, refrigeration is your best option, where it can last for up to four days.
For longer trips, especially those involving flights, freezing breast milk is advisable. In a standard freezer set at 0°F (-18°C), breast milk can be stored for up to six months, while a deep freezer can extend this period to 12 months. When freezing, it’s important to store the milk in appropriate containers—glass, plastic, or specially designed freezer bags are all suitable options.
Preparing for Your Flight
When preparing for a long flight, consider the following steps to ensure your breast milk remains safe and fresh:
1. Use Insulated Coolers: Invest in a small insulated cooler with frozen ice packs. This setup can keep breast milk cold for up to 24 hours, making it ideal for travel. Ensure that the cooler is packed tightly to minimize air space, which can lead to temperature fluctuations.
2. Label Your Milk: Clearly label each container with the date and time of expression. This practice helps you keep track of freshness and ensures that you use the oldest milk first.
3. Check Airline Policies: Before your flight, familiarize yourself with the airline’s policies regarding traveling with breast milk. Most airlines allow you to carry breast milk in your carry-on luggage, but it’s wise to check for any specific regulations.
During the Flight
Once you’re on the plane, keep your cooler close. If you need to feed your baby during the flight, you can use the milk directly from the cooler. If your baby prefers warm milk, you can request hot water from the flight attendants to warm the milk safely.
Post-Flight Storage
Upon arrival at your destination, promptly refrigerate or freeze the milk if it hasn’t been consumed. If you’re staying in a hotel, check if they have a refrigerator available for your use.
Conclusion
Traveling with breast milk requires careful planning and adherence to storage guidelines to ensure your baby receives safe and nutritious feedings. By using insulated coolers, understanding storage times, and being aware of airline policies, you can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your little one.

How long will breast milk last in a cooler bag?

Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler with ice packs for up to one day. Refrigerator. Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the back of the refrigerator for up to four days in clean conditions. However, it’s optimal to use or freeze the milk within three days.

How to know if breastmilk is spoiled?

It will also smell bad, much like spoiled cow’s milk. And, like spoiled cow’s milk, breast milk that’s old will taste sour. (It’s fine to taste your breast milk to check!) Always label your pumped milk with a time and date so you can tell how old it is.

How to store breast milk when flying?

+ Breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours when you are traveling. Once you arrive at your destination, milk should be used right away, stored in the refrigerator, or frozen. More breastmilk facts + tips can be found at CDC.gov here. Sign up for TSA PreCheck.

How do you carry pumped milk while traveling?

You’ll also need to contain your milk – either in a plastic bottle or breast milk storage bag – and somewhere to keep it frozen or cold, such as a cooler bag. It’s also useful to pack a travel-sized hand sanitiser gel and a plug adaptor if travelling abroad.

What happens if you don’t pump for 8 hours?

If you don’t pump or breastfeed for 8 hours, you may experience breast engorgement or some discomfort. If you’re exclusively pumping or you’re away from your baby for a period of time, it’s recommended to pump as frequently as your baby would feed to avoid discomfort and maintain milk supply.

What is the 120 pumping rule?

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk.

Does flying affect breast milk?

Maintaining breastmilk supply when travelling
Some women find their milk supply temporarily decreases at times during their trip. This could be due to dehydration after flying or illness (such as travellers’ diarrhoea) or because there are fewer opportunities to breastfeed.

What is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.

How much time breast milk can be stored without refrigeration?

Storing breast milk after expressing
Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored: At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. In the refrigerator for up to 4 days. In the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.

Can babies drink cold breast milk?

You can feed expressed milk straight from the fridge if your baby is happy to drink it cold. Or you can warm the milk to body temperature by putting the bottle in a jug of warm water or holding it under running warm water. Do not use a microwave to heat up or defrost breast milk.