Air travel with a breastpump and expressed milk -- UPDATE!!

[mamaroni]

Hi everyone. . .I lurk in this forum all the time.

I am going to be flying next week and bringing my breastpump with me on the plane (I have a medela pump in style). On the way home, I will have some expressed breastmilk with me, in a small cooler. Has anyone ever done this? I'm just wondering if I'm going to have any trouble with security.

also, does anyone know if there is an outlet in the airplane bathroom so I'll be able to pump once on the plane? I'm going to need to plan my pumping schedule accordingly if not.

Thanks!

update: I just wanted to let you know that my breastpump did not get a second look going through security either way, nor did my little cooler full of expressed breastmilk on the way home!

[dawndup]

I think there's an outlet but you won't make a lot of friends on the plane if you hang out in there for 20 minutes and pump....

I've done business travel while nursing, and I just bring a battery pack and pump in the airport restrooms. Most of them have power. I bring the battery pack just in case. I also bring the Medela quick-clean wipes in case of icky bathrooms, so I can wipe the pump parts down and then rinse...

As far as security goes, I never had any trouble with the milk in the cooler, but the pump always looked funny on the x-ray machine and had to be inspected. Give yourself a little extra time to get through security, because they'll probably take the pump out and quiz you about it... happens to me every time...

Bon Voyage!!!

[chersolly]

I haven't had any expressed milk while going through security, but the TSA searchers spent a lot of time focusing on my pump.

[Viola]

I bought an Avent Isis just for this purpose even though I already had a Medela PIS. Can you just use the little hand held pump that comes with the PIS? I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I had as much output with the manuals as I did with the electric. Now it took longer since I couldn't double pump, but since you're stuck on the plane anyway...

[mamaroni]

Thanks for the responses. THat's good to know about TSA checking it over really well. I will give myself more extra time than I had already planned to do!

I can usually fully express my milk in 10 mins with the double. It's so quick! I think doing it in the bathroom is a viable option. I'm going to get some of those wipes, too, that's a great idea.

Oh, and I don't have the handheld that came wtih the PIS. I've had this pump since my first, and it's still ticking! (I hope I didn't just jinx myself for it to break while I'm gone!)

[wombat]

I'd call the airline and ask about outlets. I'm just remembering my mother once took her portable asthma pump on an international flight and she had to be plugged in and puffing for quite a while on that thing. So they must have some outlet you can use that isn't a bathroom. I think my mom needed an adapter too. Privacy might be a concern though.

I've read so many nasty stories about BF and airlines, I think I'd enlist my doctors support in the form of a letter stating it is medically necessary that I pump every x hours to avoid mastitis.

[chersolly]

If you're not able to pump elsewhere, most airports now have "Family" restrooms. The ones I've been in have been fairly large, clean, have outlets, and a place to sit.

[Geofizz]

I've found that TSA employees recognize breastpumps. I've only had one person ask. I've not had trouble with milk either.

I've found the "Family" restrooms to be smelly and gross. It seems to be the one place where people have found they can smoke a cigarette in the airport without setting off any alarms.

I've read of bold women pumping in their seats on the plane.

Can you hand express? You could do that in a bathroom without an outlet and likely a bit faster than a pump.

[mamaroni]

I'm glad to hear that it shouldn't be too big a deal to get through security. I will give myself lots of extra time coming and going. I can express with my double pump very quickly--usually 10 to 15 mins tops. and I'll probably try to do so in the airport before I board the plane. the flight isn't so long that I'll have to pump in the air. I've never really gotten the hang of hand-expressing, and I know I wouldn't personally be comfortable pumping in my seat!

thanks again everyone!

[HollyBearsMom]

Originally Posted by Amywillo

I bought an Avent Isis just for this purpose even though I already had a Medela PIS. Can you just use the little hand held pump that comes with the PIS? I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I had as much output with the manuals as I did with the electric. Now it took longer since I couldn't double pump, but since you're stuck on the plane anyway...

I did the same thing. The PIS was just too bulky for travel and the bathrooms on the planes (and in a lot of airports) are just gross. The Isis was great for travelling and I just pumped in my seat on the plane. Of course my husband was next to me each time so it was easier to be discreet. I would have pumped in my seat anyway but would have probably requested and empty row if there was one available once I got on the plane. I carried a small lunchbag style cooler for the bottles in my carry-on luggage. I was never even questioned about it.

[kerc]

i had to sample the breastmilk before....It wasn't a big deal because i've had to sample the water in my water bottle before.

i find pumping and air travel tough -- i've sat on the floor in several airport bathrooms to pump. nasty! it probably is easier if you have a flight long enough to get up and go pump in the bathroom.

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by kerc

i had to sample the breastmilk before....It wasn't a big deal because i've had to sample the water in my water bottle before.

Really? I thought that went away when some woman threatened to sue after being forced to drink her breastmilk. That was... um... spring 2002? I think the case was in New York.

I always carry my breastmilk frozen, by the way, with that most recent (and therefore not frozen) burried in the middle of the ice chest. Maybe that's part of the difference in our experiences?

[HollyBearsMom]

Originally Posted by kerc

i had to sample the breastmilk before....It wasn't a big deal because i've had to sample the water in my water bottle before.

That NEVER happened to me! I was barely questioned. When they asked and I said "breast milk" they said OK. If you had said formula would they have asked you to taste that??

[Gidget]

I would make sure with the airline on the ebm. I read about a woman who was forced to hand over her bm for disposal. They would not even let her drink it to prove it was not toxic. This was not long after 9-11 though.

[mamaroni]

Originally Posted by Gidget

I would make sure with the airline on the ebm. I read about a woman who was forced to hand over her bm for disposal. They would not even let her drink it to prove it was not toxic. This was not long after 9-11 though.

I actually did call the airline yesterday. The clerk or agent I talked to said "no problem" to both the pump and expressed breast milk. simple as that. Now, do I trust that guy 100%? No. I'll probably call a few more times and see what kind of answer I get.

If I have to drink the milk, or dump it, I would be upset but it wouldn't be the end of the world. The main thing is having my pump with me so I don't get engorged/mastitis and risk ending the nursing relationship! I'll be gone 3 days/nights.

[Ravin]

I would just puddle up in tears if ordered to dump my BM like that. I would also demand they pay me for every ounce that they dump, at the going rate of what is it, four or five bucks an ounce?

[Ellien C]

Originally Posted by chersolly

If you're not able to pump elsewhere, most airports now have "Family" restrooms. The ones I've been in have been fairly large, clean, have outlets, and a place to sit.

I second the comments about the Family rest room and the TSA people. I've never had any trouble - I've travelled on planes with my pump about 5x in the last year. I think now, the TSA have seen pumps. Most recently with a 1-way ticket. I've had lots of milk in little bags (went once for 5-days) in the PIS cooler pocket. Never a problem.

The hotel will store you ice packs too. Or you can request a mini-fridge and they bring it to your room on a dolly. That's where I kept the milk for 5-days.

[mamaroni]

Originally Posted by Ravin

I would just puddle up in tears if ordered to dump my BM like that. I would also demand they pay me for every ounce that they dump, at the going rate of what is it, four or five bucks an ounce?

I agree, it would be awful to have to dump any milk. We refer to it as liquid gold around here.

[kerc]

liquid gold it is!!

I've had to sample all kinds of stuff in bottles in my travels --- gatorade, coffee, whatever. just depends on the airport. Never formula, but we don't use formula....

I've always traveled with unfrozen bm because where am i gonna freeze it when i'm on the road?