How to ship breast milk in the mail?

Shipping Breast Milk: A Comprehensive Guide
Shipping breast milk can be a vital necessity for many mothers, whether due to work commitments, military service, or the need to send milk to a caregiver. Understanding the proper methods and regulations for shipping this precious resource is essential to ensure it arrives safely and maintains its quality.
Preparation is Key
Before shipping breast milk, it’s crucial to freeze the milk. This helps preserve its nutrients and ensures it remains safe for consumption. Once frozen, the milk should be packaged carefully. Use sealed bags or containers, ideally designed for breast milk storage, and consider double-bagging to prevent any leaks during transit.
Packing for Shipment
When packing the breast milk, utilize an insulated container. This can be a specialized shipping kit designed for breast milk, which often includes ice packs or dry ice to maintain a frozen temperature. The frozen milk should be placed in the insulated box first, followed by ice packs or dry ice to keep the temperature low. If you’re shipping a smaller quantity, you can nestle the milk between layers of ice packs for added insulation.
Labeling and Shipping
It’s important to clearly label the package as “Frozen Breast Milk” to inform postal workers of its contents and the need for careful handling. Choose a reliable shipping service that offers overnight delivery options, such as UPS or FedEx, to ensure the milk arrives quickly and safely. Opting for “priority overnight” shipping is recommended to minimize the time the milk spends in transit.
Choosing the Right Shipping Service
Several companies specialize in shipping breast milk, providing kits that simplify the process. Services like Milk Stork and Save The Milk offer convenient shipping solutions that are both affordable and designed specifically for transporting breast milk. These services often include everything needed for safe shipping, from insulated containers to ice packs.
Final Considerations
Shipping breast milk is not just about the logistics; it’s about ensuring that the milk retains its quality and safety for the baby. By following these guidelines—freezing the milk, using proper packaging, labeling correctly, and choosing a reliable shipping method—mothers can confidently send their milk, knowing it will arrive in optimal condition. Whether for a short trip or a longer separation, understanding how to ship breast milk effectively can make all the difference for nursing mothers.

What is the best way to ship breastmilk?

It is best to seal your breast milk bottles in ziploc bags and then pad them with crumpled up newspaper inside your cooler of dry ice. You can print out a FedEx shipping label online. I have heard of people shipping breast milk on regular ice via overnight US mail.

Can you ship breast milk via UPS?

For example, UPS requires that breast milk be shipped in a sturdy, insulated container with enough dry ice or gel packs to keep the milk frozen for at least 24 hours. FedEx recommends using their temperature-controlled packaging to ensure the milk stays at the correct temperature during shipping.

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.

Can you ship breast milk through the USPS?

Yes, you can mail frozen breast milk. To package it for shipping, use an insulated container with dry ice or gel packs to maintain a frozen temperature. Place the frozen breast milk in sealed bags or containers, and double-bag them to prevent leakage.

Does UPS have cold packs for shipping?

a robust system offering frozen, refrigerated, and CRT temperature options to help protect products for extended time in transit. To learn more about UPS Temperature True Packaging solutions, contact your UPS Account Manager or request more information at ups.com/healthcare.

How much does 16 oz of breast milk weigh?

1 pound
16 ounces = 1 pound
A normal newborn may lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first 4 days.

How do you package breast milk?

Store in breast milk storage bags or clean, food-grade containers. Make sure the containers are made of glass or plastic and have tight fitting lids. Do not store breast milk in disposable bottle liners or plastic bags that are not intended for storing breast milk.

Where can I send my breast milk?

You can reach them at 1.877. 375.6645 (option 4 for Spanish) or via email at [email protected]. You may also visit the University of California Health Milk Bank at https://uchealth.service-now.com/csp for more information and to become a donor.

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.

Is dry ice safe for breast milk?

If you are traveling with frozen breast milk for longer than 12 hours, you need to use dry ice to protect the milk. What is dry ice? Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. It is often used to keep foods cold so that they do not spoil while being transported.