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If you’re traveling with your baby and breast milk, it’s important to know how to pack your breast milk bottles and cooler.
Breast milk requires special care when you are traveling, so it is important to plan ahead.
- You can freeze breast milk and thaw it at a later time.
- You can transport frozen breast milk in a cooler.
- You can store frozen breast milk in a freezer on the plane.
- You can store refrigerated breast milk in your checked bag or carry-on bag, but not both!
You can express, store and transport your breast milk in various ways.
You can express, store and transport your breast milk in various ways. It’s best to keep your breast milk in the fridge, but you can also freeze it if you have to.
- Refrigeration: New mothers often express their milk so they can store it for future use or take it along with them when traveling. Most bottles come with caps that are easy to remove and replace after each use for easy storage in the fridge. If you’re going on a flight soon and want to pack some frozen breastmilk for your baby on the plane, then we recommend using one of these standard storage bags from Medela which come with an ice pack inside so everything stays cool during transit!
- Freezing: Although freezing breast milk isn’t recommended because it can reduce its quality over time (even if stored correctly), some moms may need or choose to freeze their excess supply of precious liquid gold. There are several different ways this can be done depending on how much extra milk you want saved up for later days/weeks/months – either through manual pumping or electric pump models such as Medela’s Electric Symphony Double Pump Kit which includes both hands-free electric pumps (ease those tired arms!) plus other necessary accessories like adapter parts!
Standard bags made for breastmilk storage can be stored frozen or thawed up to 24 hours.
The standard bags made for breastmilk storage can be stored frozen or thawed up to 24 hours.
If you’re planning on storing your milk in a cooler or a freezer, keep breast milk in the freezer until you are ready to use it.
You can pump directly into a bottle that’s slightly smaller than usual if you want to save space.
It’s a good idea to pump into a bottle that’s slightly smaller than usual if you want to save space. You can then place the smaller bottle in your freezer and use it for storage and transportation. If you’re traveling by plane with an infant on board, security may ask you to take out any frozen milk or other liquids from your carry-on bags so they can check them for explosives or other dangerous substances. A small frozen bottle will be easy to remove and replace with another one once the TSA is satisfied that there’s nothing harmful inside.
Other Travel Tips
- Make sure all of your equipment works properly before leaving home
- Call ahead if possible and ask about the facilities at the specific airport where you’ll be flying
Freezers are usually kept at 0° F (-18°C).
You’ll need to keep your breast milk or other baby food at a temperature of 0° F (-18°C). Freezers are usually kept at 0° F (-18°C), so it’s best to pack the containers in your freezer before you leave. Just make sure that the container you’re using is approved for use in freezers, if that’s what you plan on doing! A good rule of thumb is if the container can be frozen and thawed safely without being damaged in any way, then it should be okay.
Check with the airline if you want to bring a cooler on board and ask them where the cooler will go during the flight.
If you want to bring a cooler on board, check with the airline first to make sure it’s allowed. Some airlines will ask you not to put the cooler in your carry-on bag but instead place it under their seat for safekeeping. If you’re flying with an infant who needs breast milk or formula, this is important because if something happens to your baby during the flight (like a sudden illness) and they need immediate medical attention, having access to their food source can save time and possibly lives.
Another tip: Make sure that your cooler is less than 100ml so that it fits within TSA regulations for liquids.
If you need to thaw before feeding or using, place frozen bag in the refrigerator overnight, or in cold water (change water every 30 minutes) until thawed.
If you need to thaw before feeding or using, place frozen bag in the refrigerator overnight, or in cold water (change water every 30 minutes) until thawed.
Some mothers prefer to heat their breast milk by placing it in a bowl of warm water, changing the temperature once it’s thawed. Another method is using a microwave set on low power for 15 seconds at a time.
You can defrost your breastmilk by running warm water over it for a few minutes.
If you find yourself needing to thaw frozen breast milk, there are two ways to do so. One way is by running warm water over the bottle for a few minutes. Then, change out the water every 30 minutes until your breast milk is fully defrosted. This method works well when you are on the go and don’t have access to a microwave or refrigerator. However, it can take up to six hours for frozen breast milk to completely thaw using this method! If you’re traveling with young children in tow who need immediate feedings while on the road or flying, this may not be ideal for you.
Also keep in mind that microwaving any liquid that contains fat (such as breast milk) can cause severe burns if handled improperly! Therefore we do not recommend using a microwave as an alternative option when it comes time for mealtime during travel days with your little ones!
On flights longer than five hours, we recommend storing extra bottles of formula by placing them into one of those Ziploc freezer bags; then freezing them before boarding your flight so that they’ll stay cold during transit time (and won’t leak if accidentally tipped over).
Keep your cooler well stocked with ice packs and freeze them as close to freezing as possible and keep them wrapped in plastic bags until use.
Keep your cooler well stocked with ice packs and freeze them as close to freezing as possible and keep them wrapped in plastic bags until use.
Keep coolers out of direct sunlight, which can make temperatures climb quickly. If you can’t keep them in the freezer, keep them in a cool, dry place.
The TSA agents may need to open your cooler for additional inspection, but will attempt to do this in a private area if needed.
I was terrified that my cooler would be opened and the milk would be contaminated, even though the TSA says it won’t happen. The agents may need to open your cooler for additional inspection, but will attempt to do this in a private area if needed. If your cooler is opened by an agent at the checkpoint, there will be someone standing by you who can take it back or re-seal it after they’ve had a look inside. In my experience with two different trips, this was never necessary.
When packing your breast milk bottles and cooler, try to keep the temperature low by placing them at the bottom of your bag and cover them with clothing or freezer packs.
When packing your breast milk bottles and cooler, try to keep the temperature low by placing them at the bottom of your bag and cover them with clothing or freezer packs. This will help keep the bottles from being exposed to heat from other items and prevent any sudden temperature changes that could damage the quality of your breast milk.
You can also bring a small cooler for breast milk, as well as ice packs for it. If you’re flying internationally, make sure that you check with your airline about their regulations regarding carry-on luggage size. Generally speaking, most airlines allow one piece of carry-on luggage per person (so two pieces if traveling as a couple).
Remember: If a flight attendant tells you that something is too big or heavy to be carried on board, don’t argue! It’s best
- not getting kicked off
- having an easy trip
- keeping everyone happy through no fault of their own
- saving money
- saving time
- avoiding frustration
- making sure everything gets where it needs when it needs there
Conclusion
When traveling with breast milk, it’s important to remember the guidelines when packing your bags and cooler. You want to make sure that your breastmilk stays cold for as long as possible during transit so that it doesn’t spoil before you can use it. The best way to do this is by packing plenty of ice packs into your cooler along with freezer packs or dry ice if available; also remember not to put anything else in there with them as they could melt and ruin everything else inside!
