By Ceres Chill
TLDR:
The essentials:
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Breastmilk is NOT subject to the 3oz rule
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Your pump is a medical device (carry it on, always)
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Use a chiller or cooler + ice to keep milk safe
Game plan:
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Tell TSA you’re carrying breastmilk
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Be ready to dump ice before screening + refill after
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Pack wipes or a wash system to clean parts on the go
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Pump wherever you’re comfortable
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For international travel: email airports ahead + bring a doctor’s note
Pro tips for your Chiller:
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Don’t rely on airport or hotel fridges
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Restock ice at coffee shops/restaurants
Print this if you need it!
If you’ve ever traveled with breastmilk and breastfeeding gear, you know how stressful it can be. There’s the anxiety around keeping your milk safe, pumping on a plane, getting through TSA, and all of the other things that you may run into. I’ve been there too many times!
Let’s get into it!
TSA rules are as follows:
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Breastmilk and formula are NOT subject to the 3oz liquid rule
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You can bring reasonable quantities in your carry-on
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Your breast pump is a medical device (it does NOT count as a carry-on)
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You can also bring pump parts, bottles, coolers, and chillers and any other necessary gear with you on the plane to store your milk and pump.
What to bring when traveling with breastmilk
A pump: Breast pumps are considered medical devices, and are allowed to be checked in or carried on. As I’m sure you’ve heard from so many moms, it’s ALWAYS a good idea to bring it in your carry on. Bags get lost, flights get delayed, and things can be unpredictable.
Breastmilk storage: Although storing milk for long flights is never 100% simple, it’s important to find a way that works best for convenience, reliability, and most importantly, less stress.
Using a Chiller for Breastmilk Travel
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Fill one chamber with ice before leaving
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Pump directly into it as needed
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At TSA: you may need to dump ice temporarily
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Refill ice after security (coffee shops, restaurants, flight attendants)
Check out this amazing IG reel that shows how the agent will likely test your milk using a vapor strip!
Using a Cooler for Breastmilk While Flying
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Make sure ice packs are fully frozen - you don’t want to get to TSA screening and have to throw them out because they’re not frozen solid
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Open it as little as possible
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Leave room for freshly pumped milk
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Refill ice during long travel days if needed
Cleaning while traveling
If you have a long flight and you’ll be pumping multiple times, you’ll have to clean your parts in between sessions. It can seem tricky to adhere to the “sanitizing rules'' when you’re traveling or otherwise outside of your own home, but it is possible!
Use…
Pumping on the plane
Pump where you’re comfortable - your seat or the bathroom. Set up your pump, pump parts, chiller, shields, cover or anything else that you usually use before you start to pump.
International travel with breastmilk (pro tips from a flight attendant)
“I've been an exclusive pumping mom for 13 months, and I travel every week for work. Most of my travel is international.
My weekly travel days, from the moment I leave my house to the moment I get to my hotel room, are typically 17-20 hour days. I have been to 17 countries with my breast milk and no baby, and have not had to dump any milk yet!
What I bring: I use a large, 2-compartment tote bag - one side holds my 4 Chillers, while the other side holds my flanges, my pump, my 2 Ceres Chill washbasins, my bottle brush and my dish soap. We need a lot to make it through a day!
My hacks:
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Have your doctor write you a letter that states "*name* is a lactating mother. In my professional opinion, it is necessary for them to carry expressed breast milk home to their child to provide adequate nutrition". This will be necessary in the UK, but I keep it in my bag all the time just in case other countries need something similar.
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Don’t rely on hotel fridges - always be prepared to use your Chillers for a few days if you can replenish ice often, OR ask the front desk to freeze/properly refrigerate your milk
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Email the airline: "Hello, I will be traveling through your airport on X date with expressed breast milk and my baby will not be with me. I will not have access to dry ice or a freezer to package my milk. Can you please tell me how I can package my milk to go through security? I typically use a 2 chamber metal flask - one chamber is filled with ice and one is filled with breast milk. Would this be acceptable to carry through security?". I ALWAYS attach a picture of the Chiller - this helps to get a clear answer of what you need to do. Once I get the all clear, I favorite that email in case I need to show it in person.”
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Katie Lecuivre
And there you have it moms! This is everything you need to know for traveling with breastmilk.
Have any travel tips? Share them with us at info@cereschill.com!
FAQ: Traveling with Breastmilk
Can you bring breastmilk through TSA?
Yes! Breastmilk is exempt from the 3oz liquid rule and can be brought in any quantities you need.
Do breast pumps count as a carry-on?
No - they are considered medical devices and can be carried on in additional to your carry-on item.
How do you keep breastmilk cold while traveling?
Use a chiller and refresh with ice from the flight attendant if your flight is extra long.
How do you clean pump parts while traveling?
Use a portable washbasin or pump wipes!