3 Tips for Transporting Breast Milk on International or Domestic Flights

As postpartum doulas and infant feeding specialists who provide support to parents from all over the world, one of the most complicated and common questions we get asked is: how can I get pumped milk for my baby home if I have a long domestic or international?

Although it seems like we should have a one-size-fits-all answer, we don’t. After hours of research for individual families flying home to a variety of states and countries, we have compiled some details to consider and tips to make this process more streamlined.

IMPORTANT:

#1 ALWAYS contact your airline(s) and airport(s) directly to request the policy and/or restrictions for traveling with frozen breast milk packed in dry ice.

Make a note of the date, the agent’s name that you spoke to, and exactly what they said. Here are the questions we recommend asking:

Will your country accept transported human/breast milk?

• Are there restrictions on the amount?
• Will it need to go through customs?
• How will they accept it?
• Will they make a different determination if this is your baby’s primary source of food?

If choosing to ship breast milk by checking it in as baggage:

• Can it be checked as a baby supply and not counted toward baggage?
• Is there a quantity or limit when checking breast milk as a baby supply?
• Can dry ice be checked?

If choosing to carry breast milk onto your flight:

• Can you carry on breast milk as a baby supply? Is there a quantity or limit that can be carried on?
• Can dry ice be carried on? Is there a quantity or limit?

Ask the agent to provide, or point you to, a copy of their policy noted online for your reference. Pull up the information and screenshot it for easy access. This information and your notes from your conversation with the agent’s name and answers should be readily available if you need to advocate for your baby.

Educate yourself on your country’s guidelines regarding transporting breast milk from your surrogate or a milk bank. Make sure you reference the most up-to-date information possible. Again, screenshot this information and have the information readily available to advocate for your baby.

#2 Packing breast milk for long international or domestic flights

NOTE: This information is for travel of 24 hours or less. There is NO guarantee that the breast milk will arrive in a frozen state especially if stored in areas that are not temperature controlled or if exposed to extended high temperatures.

Preparing the breast milk for packing:

Freeze breast milk flat and make sure it is frozen solid. Keep it in your freezer as long as you can before traveling.

Pack the frozen breast milk bags into gallon-size freezer bags.

PACKING SUPPLIES NEEDED

• Styrofoam cooler (size depends on airline rules about checking or carrying on containers of frozen breast milk)
• Gel ice sheets (found on Amazon)
• Dry ice (This is a VERY important component to ensure the breast milk stays frozen for long periods of travel. Ice packs alone will not stay frozen)
• Heavy-duty cardboard box big enough to hold Styrofoam cooler.
• Packing tape OR a kit from MilkStork to simplify the process.

PACKING THE FROZEN BREAST MILK

• Add a layer of dry ice to the bottom of the Styrofoam cooler.
• Add a frozen gel sheet.
• Add a layer of breast milk.
• Add another frozen gel sheet.
• Repeat layering until cooler is full.

Note: The more tightly packed the milk is, the more likely it is to stay frozen during transit.

• Seal the Styrofoam cooler with packing tape.
• Place the cooler into a heavy-duty cardboard box and label it with personal information just as you would the tag on your suitcase.

Note: Once at the airport, depending on the airline guidelines, they will label, mark, or designate the contents.

#3 Our final tip—arrive EARLY giving yourself and your baby(s) plenty of time to navigate checking in, security, and taking a breath before your long journey home.

We recognize that your baby’s well-being is your top priority, and that long domestic or international flights can sometimes complicate how or what you feed your baby. Many families have successfully traveled with their new baby, baby gear, and breast milk. We are confident you will be successful, too.

Author Sheryl Cooksley is a Certified Postpartum Doula, Newborn Care Specialist (Advanced) and the Founder of Family Tree Doula Services. Over the last 7 years, Sheryl has developed a passion for supporting ALL parents. Recognizing a gap in care, Sheryl has created services specifically designed for Intended Parents. Her team of Postpartum Doulas provides daytime, overnight, and around-the-clock care to families in Portland Oregon and throughout the United States.