How to take expressed breast milk on a plane?

Traveling with Expressed Breast Milk: A Comprehensive Guide
Traveling with expressed breast milk can seem daunting, but with the right preparation and knowledge, it can be a smooth experience. Whether you’re heading on a short domestic flight or an international journey, understanding the regulations and best practices for transporting breast milk is essential for nursing mothers.
Understanding TSA Regulations
One of the most important aspects of flying with breast milk is knowing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules. According to the TSA, breast milk is exempt from the standard liquid restrictions that limit liquids to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). This means you can carry larger quantities of breast milk in your carry-on baggage without needing to fit them into a quart-sized bag. However, it is crucial to inform TSA agents that you are traveling with breast milk and to separate it from other items for screening.
When you arrive at the security checkpoint, be prepared to remove your breast milk from your bag for additional screening. This process is straightforward, but it’s wise to allow extra time at the airport to avoid any last-minute stress.
Packing Your Breast Milk
To ensure your expressed milk stays fresh during your travels, proper packing is key. Here are some effective strategies:
1. Use Insulated Containers: The best way to transport breast milk is in a breast milk cooler. These coolers are designed to maintain the temperature of the milk, especially if you include frozen ice packs .
2. Choose the Right Storage: Store your milk in clean, tightly sealed containers. Options include bottles, glass containers, or specialized breast milk storage bags. Make sure these containers are see-through to facilitate security checks.
3. Consider Your Flight Duration: For short domestic flights, your milk should remain safe in a cooler with ice packs. For longer flights, consider the possibility of checking your milk in a cooler, as the storage compartments on planes tend to stay cool.
During the Flight
If you need to access your breast milk during the flight, keep it in your carry-on. If you’re not planning to use it, you can store it in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. Always ensure that your milk is easily accessible in case you need to show it during security checks.
Additional Tips for a Smooth JourneyTraveling with Expressed Breast Milk on a Plane
As a breastfeeding parent, navigating air travel with your expressed breast milk can seem daunting. However, with a bit of preparation and knowledge of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations, you can successfully bring your breast milk through airport security and onto your flight.
Know Your Rights
According to the TSA, formula, breast milk, and juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. You are not required to travel with your child to bring breast milk through security.
Packing and Storing Breast Milk
The best way to transport your expressed breast milk is in a small, insulated cooler with frozen ice packs. This will keep the milk chilled during your travels. You can also check your breast milk in a small cooler if you don’t need to access it during the flight.
Breast milk should be stored in clean, tightly sealed, see-through containers like bottles, glass containers, or milk storage bags. Clearly label each container with the date the milk was expressed.
Going Through Security
When going through security, inform the TSA agents that you are traveling with breast milk. Separate your pump and any bottles, whether empty or full, from your other carry-on items so they can be screened individually.
The TSA may test your breast milk for explosives, but they should not ask you to open the containers or test the milk itself. If you encounter any issues, politely remind the agents of your rights to travel with breast milk.
In-Flight Considerations
If you need to access your breast milk during the flight, you can bring it on board in your carry-on. Keep it chilled in your insulated cooler. The flight attendants may be able to provide you with ice to keep the milk cold.
By following these tips, you can confidently and smoothly travel with your expressed breast milk, ensuring your little one has access to the nourishment they need, even when you’re on the go.

Does breastmilk have to be frozen for TSA?

If you’re in the US, containers of frozen milk may be checked by just looking at them. Fresh, thawed, or slushy milk may be subject to further examination. You may be asked to open the container of breast milk and pour some out to test for explosives.

How to bring pumped breast milk on a plane?

Easiest thing is to freeze the breast milk, put it in a small little lunch box cooler with bottles of frozen water. You can bring water through TSA as long as it is frozen, I don’t think breast milk has to be (if you’re planning to feed it to baby on the flight, looks like you’re not bringing baby though). It was easy!

Does a pumping bag count as a carry-on?

Can you bring a breast pump on an airplane? Yes. Your breast pump is considered a personal item, and you can carry it 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.

Can you fly with expressed breast milk?

One of the questions I am asked a lot is about traveling with breast milk, flying with breast milk and whether you can take expressed breast milk through airport security. The answer is yes, you can bring expressed breast milk through airport security in individual containers no more that 2000ml each in size.

How to store expressed breast milk when out?

Freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature for up to six hours. However, it’s optimal to use or properly store the breast milk within four hours, especially if the room is warm. Insulated cooler. Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler with ice packs for up to one day.

Does a cooler for breastmilk count as a carry-on?

Bring your regular carry-on luggage but be prepared to explain that your pump is a medical device. Your breast milk cooler does count as a carry-on item.

How do you pack expressed breast milk?

Before expressing or handling breast milk, wash your hands with soap and water. Then store the expressed milk in a clean, capped food-grade glass container or hard plastic container that’s not made with the chemical bisphenol A (BPA). You can also use special plastic bags designed for milk collection and storage.

How do I get my baby milk through TSA?

Inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in excess of 3.4 ounces. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from your other belongings.

Is a cooler for breastmilk considered a carry-on?

Bring your regular carry-on luggage but be prepared to explain that your pump is a medical device. Your breast milk cooler does count as a carry-on item.

How do you carry expressed breast milk while Travelling?

Transporting your breast milk. Take expressed milk home or to a childcare setting in bottles or bags, inside a cooler bag with a freezer pack. If your ice packs are defrosting then ask for a bag of crushed ice from a fast food outlet or cafe.