What is it about traveling with breastmilk? OK, we get it. It’s a liquid (whatever that means in terms of our national security) and it’s often over three ounces (if we’re lucky). But nonetheless, we can’t get over WHY it’s always so traumatic for moms to roll with stashes of liquid gold.
Ahead of peak summer travel season, we hit up Ashley Georgakopoulos, Motif Medical’s Lactation Director / IBCLC to shed some light on how to travel with breastmilk stress-free.
- Before you go, make sure you have milk storage bags, a cooler with ice packs, and a separate carry bag for your pumping equipment and cooler.
- Your breast pump, accessories, and milk should not be counted as your luggage, as the equipment are medical devices and your milk a necessity.
- The 3-1-1 rule for liquids does not apply to milk, meaning you can have bags containing more than 3 oz each. However, they may be subject to screening, but that process is safe and does not affect the quality of the milk.
- Unless your flight and handling is longer than four hours, your milk is fine to be kept cool and not frozen. Fresh milk can be kept at room temperature for up to 4 hours, and the ice packs help to expand that time frame!
- In the case where ice is needed, ask your flight attendant for their assistance.
Ultimately, TSA lays out these guidelines and tips for traveling with breastmilk very clearly, so take a deep breath, keep these guidelines on hand, and ask for assistance if you meet any pushback through the screening and travel process.
