Traveling with breastmilk

[odoole]

Hi. I'll be flying for the first time with DS and I'd like to bring a stash of frozen BM in excess of what he would need for the actual trip. Anyone have experience doing this and have advice?

I saw on the TSA website that breastmilk is allowed as a carry on but it didn't say anything about excess amounts or about ice packs -- are they permitted? I'd also be willing to check it if neccesary but carry-on seems easier.

Thanks for any advice!

[hotharmony]

There is some great information on Kellymom.com about this.

[odoole]

Originally Posted by hotharmony

There is some great information on Kellymom.com about this.

Thanks. I hunted around but couldn't find it. Do you know the link?

[HappyHappyMommy]

Originally Posted by odoole

Thanks. I hunted around but couldn't find it. Do you know the link?

I don't know the kellymom link, but when I travel, I bring copies of both of the following pieces of regulations from the TSA website:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...n/formula.shtm
This one says that "Breast milk is in the same category as liquid medications."

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...eds/index.shtm
"Additionally, we are continuing to permit prescription liquid medications and other liquids needed by persons with disabilities and medical conditions. This includes:
...
* Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items"

I always declare both the breast milk and the ice packs at security. I've only had an issue once and it was with the ice pack. When I politely said that that ice packs were allowable for keeping breast milk cool and handed the security staff a copy of the 2 regulations above, they apologized and let me through with no further questions.

I hope this helps and that your trip goes smoothly.

PS When I was traveling with one of my colleagues (who is supportive of BF and pumping), she said "I can't believe that breast milk is in the same category as liquid medications! Like it's a medicine and not just a normal thing." I smiled and said, "Yeah, but at least the regulations allow parents and caregivers to transport breast milk. Small steps, right?"

[odoole]

Excellent info. Thanks!

[bubbamummy]

I flew to the US from the UK with LOTS of frozen and chilled breastmilk (I exclusively pumped for my son) and never had an issue. The only one that did arise on the US side was my gel cool packs. The man at security said 'you should have used crushed ice in a bag to cool them'...yeah...cause that would work grrr! I would have had bags of leaky water by the time we got to AZ from London Id take gel packs again as they still let them through, just made a fuss (I used the 'Avent' Cool bags that are supposed to keep liquids cool/hot)

We fly a lot (we are in az and have family in OH and England) and ive never, ever had an issue with the amount of liquids I have traveled with.