I'm about to go on several business trips and need to pump my milk. I plan to freeze the pumped milk in the plastic ziploc bags for breatmilk and store in my hotel freezer. My question, does anyone have any experience in getting their milk thru TSA securiy and did you put it in a cooler with ice packs or use dry ice?
See the link below:
Important Information on Traveling With Formula, Breast Milk, and Juice
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
Hi S.! Just went through the same situation this summer. I brought a carry on cooler filled with the frozen breastmilk and regular blue ice packs. It was no problem. The security agents tested it very quickly and hygienically to make sure it is organic and then we were on our way!
I never had a problem flying with my pumped milk, and I know several friends who travel frequently and don't have issues.
My only concern with freezing your milk at the hotel is being able to keep it frozen during transport home. You don't want it to thaw, unless you'll be using it within 24 hours. So I would either make sure you change ice frequently to make sure it stays frozen, or not freeze it at all (depending on how long you'll be gone, I guess) and just make sure it stays cold.
Good luck and way to go for keeping up!
Yeah for breastfeeding! I work for TSA and can tell you exactly what you need to know. In addition, I recently traveled to two out of state weddings with my pump and expressed milk with no issues. When you get to the security line just indicate to the officer that you have a breast pump and milk that requires special screening. I used ice pack with no problem, but if you prefer dry ice have at it. They will take you aside and use a wand to scan the actual pump. They may examine the bottles of milk -- but did not for me. That's it! Good luck on your business trips and keep up eth breastfeeding -- its the best thing fir your baby!
Hi S.,
I had no problem getting my pumped milk through TSA without my son present. To expedite the process, I told the TSA agent working the X-ray machine for my line in advance of the milk going through that I had a cooler of breastmilk. He said that was fine and that he would look for it. Once it went through, I was out of there, no testing or extra questions. I believe declaring it in advance helped speed things along.
I did not freeze all of the milk I pumped so I would have a few bottles ready for use upon my return home. I used frozen gel packs and a few storage bottles of frozen milk to keep the fresh milk cool during my travels.
I put mine in in a cooler with ice from the ice machine in the hotel. I never had a problem getting it thru security. I just put it in the refridgerator of the room with the ice inside and changed the ice every time I had a chance to make sure it stayed as cold as possible. I was able to store my breastmilk for about 4-7 days this way and make a hand off to my mom in the middle of the trip. It can be done. Good luck.
A.
I would go to the TSA site and print out their information on breastmilk so you don't get hassled at the gate. You ARE allowed to bring milk without the baby, but not everyone knows that.
You might want to consider breastmilk freezer bags and/or double bagging, just in case something thaws or leaks.
I just got back a few weeks ago from a week long trip. I brought a little cooler with me that only fit 4 bottles and two ice packs. Therefore I pumped and dumped for the first half :( of my trip and then kept the last 4 bottles.
After the milk went through the x-ray machine the TSA agent came over to me to ask me to open up my bag. I explained what I had and they made me come over to the side where the tested the milk. They made me open each bottle and he waved a little piece of paper (which he had dipped into some solution prior to) over the top. Then he made me put it back on the x-ray machine again.
It wasn't too bad of a process but it was time consuming, so I would suggest allowing a litle extra time when going through security.
I am a mother of twins and went on a work trip when they were only 4 months. I did ask the hotel for a mini fridge/freezer and brought my own collapsable cooler with me. I was able to freeze all of my milk and had the hotel find me dry ice. This worked great and I brought over 20 bags of milk home with me. If you go online you will find that breast milk is fine to bring on flights with you. This was approved I think in late 2006 or early 2007. You just have to inform them ahead of time.
Good luck!
Hi S.,
I traveled three times over the last year while breastfeeding and had different experiences with TSA at each airport... I don't want to make you nervous, but just want to make sure you are prepared for the lack of consistency. It was frustrating, but they all ultimately let me go through with my milk. For all trips, I had the same carry-ons - a portable cooler, blue gel packs, bottles w/milk, and my pump. I always declared the items - sometimes TSA cared and sometimes they didn't. Sometimes they inspected the bottles and sometimes they didn't. Sometimes I had to unpack everything and send each item through the screening separately - pump, empty bottles, full bottles, ice packs, flanges, tubing, etc. The worst was when I got taken to 3 different TSA stations and they asked where my baby was and questioned how I could have breast milk w/no baby. I do recommend getting to the airport a little early having a copy of the TSA guidelines with you just in case you run across someone that is unfamiliar with the procedures for breastfeeding moms.
Also, some hotel fridges aren't able to fully freeze the milk and depending on how long you will be traveling, it will be hard to keep the milk frozen, so you may just want to keep it cold instead. I lost ~25 oz of milk due to the freeze/thaw issues.
Good luck!
go to the airport and talk to the TSA management.
also get a Dr. note that should help.
