What is the best way to ship breastmilk?

The Best Way to Ship Breast Milk: A Comprehensive Guide
Shipping breast milk is a vital process for many mothers, especially those who are working, traveling, or separated from their infants for extended periods. Ensuring that this precious resource arrives safely and maintains its nutritional quality is paramount. Here’s a detailed look at the best practices for shipping breast milk effectively.
Understanding the Importance of Proper Shipping
Breast milk is often referred to as “liquid gold” due to its numerous health benefits for infants. However, shipping it requires careful planning and execution to preserve its integrity. The primary concerns when shipping breast milk include maintaining the correct temperature, preventing contamination, and ensuring timely delivery.
Preparation: Collecting and Storing Breast Milk
Before shipping, it’s essential to collect and store breast milk properly. Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in clean, BPA-free containers or breast milk storage bags. It’s advisable to label each container with the date and time of expression. For optimal freshness, breast milk should be refrigerated or frozen immediately after collection. If you plan to ship frozen milk, ensure it is completely frozen before packing.
Packing for Shipment
When it comes to packing breast milk for shipment, the following steps are crucial:
1. Use Insulated Containers: Invest in insulated shipping containers designed specifically for breast milk. These containers help maintain the necessary temperature during transit.
2. Ice Packs: Include gel ice packs or dry ice to keep the milk frozen. If using dry ice, ensure that the shipping service allows it, as it can be hazardous if not handled properly.
3. Seal and Protect: Ensure that all containers are tightly sealed to prevent leaks. Wrap each container in bubble wrap or use padding to protect them from breakage during transit.
4. Label Clearly: Clearly label the package as containing breast milk. This helps ensure that handlers are aware of the contents and can take appropriate care during shipping.
Choosing the Right Shipping Service
Selecting a reliable shipping service is critical. Many companies specialize in shipping breast milk, offering kits that include insulated containers and ice packs. Services like Milk Stork and Save The Milk provide convenient options for mothers, ensuring that the milk is shipped safely and arrives within the required timeframe.
When choosing a service, consider the following:
– Delivery Speed: Aim for a service that guarantees delivery within 48 hours to ensure the milk remains safe for consumption.
– Tracking Options: Opt for a service that provides tracking, allowing you to monitor the shipment’s progress.
Timing is Everything
Timing plays a crucial role in the shipping process. Ideally, breast milk should be shipped early in the week to avoid delays over the weekend. This ensures that the milk does not sit in transit for extended periods, which could compromise its quality.
Final Thoughts
Shipping breast milk can be a straightforward process when done correctly. By following these guidelines—preparing the milk properly, packing it securely, choosing the right shipping service, and timing the shipment appropriately—mothers can ensure that their infants receive the best nutrition possible, even when they are apart. With the right preparation and resources, shipping breast milk can be a stress-free experience, allowing mothers to focus on their work or travel without worrying about their baby’s nutritional needs.

Can you ship breast milk via FedEx?

When you’re ready, load your sealed containers of breast milk into each box and push the button on the cooler engine to activate. No preconditioningis required. Select your FedEx delivery option. 2 Your shipments will remain in the custodial control of the secure FedEx® network.

Does FedEx have refrigerated trucks?

Refrigerated truck delivers to FedEx consolidation points. Shipments routed on refrigerated trailers. Delivered to assigned destination hubs.

How to ship breast milk without dry ice?

Gel Ice Packs
If you do ship with a styrofoam cooler, plan to use ice packs. The best brand we’ve found is Cooler Shock, which you can get on Amazon. These gel packs work almost as well as dry ice.

How to properly ship breastmilk?

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.

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 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 frozen breast milk better than formula?

Breast milk is better for your baby than formula – but freshly expressed breast milk is preferable to refrigerated, and refrigerated is better than frozen.

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.

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.

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.