Taking things step by step can help. Mamavas pump bag packing list will help you get ready and stay organized. X-rays used to obtain dental images, x-rays of broken bones, chest x-rays, etc. Every week there are stories about parents traveling with breast milk who encounter a TSA agent who makes them prove their breast milk actuallyisbreast milk (and then contaminates it). Learn more about contraindications to breastfeeding. Featured Image Credit: And if you want to make sure you have no issues at check-in, be sure of have a printout of this TSA webpage handy! Additional information can be found on NIOSH's . Transportation Security Administration. Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. And we know thats not always the best feeling. If you are going on an extended trip and you are bringing what someone might consider a larger than normal amount of breast milk, you may run into some issues. Flying with Breast Milk: Everything You Need to Know, The freshest in parenting this week, delivered to your inbox. Milk Stork offers several shipping options. Parents are allowed to bring breast milk, baby formula, and juice above and beyond the normal 3.4 ounce TSA restrictions. But the specific policies are left up to the airlines. You can request that your breast milk not be x-rayed (even though x-rays do not harm your breast milk). Learn more about working in nail, hair, and beauty salons and how to prevent take-home exposures. Want more tips and tricks on family travel? Common pains-in-the-boobs can get you down and challenge your breastfeeding goals. If you are adamant about TSA not opening the breast milk, there are alternative options for testing. A brief history of human infant feedingbreast, bottles, and formulathrough the ages. This is for your safety, the safety of other passengers and the crew. Frozen milk will stay cold for up to 96 hours while refrigerated milk up to 72, depending on which shipping plan you choose. While most liquids you may want to carry onto a plane like shampoo, toothpaste or lotion cant exceed 3.4 ounces and must fit into a quart-sized bag, breast milk, along with other kid-related food and liquid items like formula, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (including pouches), dont apply to this rule. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Are you allowed to travel with breast milk? If you'd like to add a comment to this article and share your valuable feedback and opinions, please click here to leave your comment. neurological responses and perc exposure in children. Related: 12 tips on how to travel internationally with a baby. Does it have to be in liquid form? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Reviews and photos from other traveling moms let you know ahead of time what kind of amenities to expect (rocking chair, locking door, outlets, etc.) Five practices that help moms with preterm babies breastfeed. Chris has years of marketing and hospitalityexperience, so running the social media channels and writing about family travel is a natural fit for him here at Upgraded Points. Figuring out the rules and regulations about traveling outside of the U.S. with breast milk in tow is complicated. Dry ice is another option when flying with breast milk, but bringing dry ice in your carry-on or checked luggage can add a layer of complexity. If you are traveling with what someone might consider a large amount, it might be a good idea to contact your airline in advance to get clearer rules and or specific permission. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Zoonotic infections, or infections acquired from animals should be evaluated individually to determine breastfeeding safety. So, the real takeaway here isbe prepared for anything. Or, use milk containers with tight lids instead of milk bags. Youre also supposed to pack any small containers of liquids in a quart-sized plastic bag. This door-to-door solution via FedEx is ideal for international travelers. Iodinated X-ray Contrast Media (Ionic and Nonionic) The plasma half-life of intravenously administered iodinated contrast medium is approximately two hours, with nearly 100% of the media cleared from the bloodstream within 24 hours. She had planned to pump at the airport so her breasts wouldnt feel uncomfortably engorged, and had brought along ice packs to keep the precious breast milk fresh. But things get slightly complicated if you plan to travel for a few days without your baby. However, the 3-1-1 rule doesnt apply to breast milk. The exterior dimensions of the cooler are 12 x 8 x 10 inches and the cooler weighs 16 pounds when fully loaded. Will the X-ray sterilize or otherwise damage the milk? You can also often get milk during beverage service on the flight. (Pack a baby carrier if you have one so you can wear your baby during this time and keep your hands free.) Pro tip: Double bag your milk to protect your bag in case of leaks. When you need to pump, you need to pumpno matter where you are. Know Your TSA Rights & Fly With Breast Milk | Mamava Pack your pump, breast milk, and freezer packs together in one bag to simplify your life. These airports go the extra mile to support breastfeeding travelers. A little planning before you leave goes a long way if youre traveling with breast milk. However, it is not as clear when it comes to breast pumps. While the TSA website states that you can travel with reasonable quantities of breast milk, you are essentially leaving that interpretation up to the discretion of whatever TSA agent you get at check-in. Not all gloves or other types of PPE provide adequate protection for all chemicals, thus it is important to match the type of PPE to the type of chemical. That means that you can carry it on your flight and TSA should give you no trouble. Milk bags: Milk bags feature measurement markings as well, but are made of plastic. You can freeze your breast milk in freezer bags and store them inside an insulated bag to prevent leaks. If theyre slushy or partially melted, they may be subjected to additional screening. Youre able to bring an insulated bag or cooler in addition to your carry-on bag. Check here before booking an award fare. Its good to add 30 minutes to your airport arrival time when traveling with pumped milk. One of their services is Maven Milk, which was created to help new parents transition back to work and get breast milk back to their baby easily, safely, and reliably. 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If appropriate, local exhaust ventilation, such as fume hoods, exhaust ducts, and exhaust fans should be in place. Some chemicals commonly used in salons can enter breast milk or be carried home on skin, clothes, and shoes. If you plan to express milk on the go, remember that droplets of milk will remain inside the bottles and suction components. By the time I got to the airport I had just enough time to go through security and board my flight. We repeat: It does not apply to breastmilk. Theyre perfect for fridge storage and only a few types are considered freezer-safe. We take your privacy seriously. Keeping the rules straight around everyday air travel is hard enough. Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. Test your breastfeeding know-how with this quiz. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. For more information on our advertisers and how we make money, see our advertising policy here. Bring a good water-tight cooler, plenty of ice packs, and all your empty bottles or breast milk storage bags. Tip: Make sure to keep all of your breast milk or formula separate from your other liquids such as shampoo. And know that, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you do not need to declare pumped milk at U.S. Customs when returning to the United States. The rest of your breast milk is safe to travel in your checked luggage, where it wont be touched or handled by the TSA agent. However annoyed you are that you have to toss your Poland Spring 16-ouncer, your breast milk is good to go. Parents who are flying with or without a child are allowed to bring breast milk in reasonable quantities in containers greater than the standard 3.4 ounces normally required by TSA. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. Flying with breast milk is easy with Willow. Companies like Milk Stork and FedEx offer practical solutions for maintaining breast milk at safe temperatures while also assisting with transportation logistics. Youre allowed to carry freezer bags, ice packs, and gel packs to keep your breast milk frozen, but they need to be frozen solid. Small gel packs are the best option as theyre durable, small and last longer. Youre allowed to bring any reasonable amount of milk with you through the checkpoint and onto the plane, so long as you let the TSA agent know. If you are planning to be at one location for a while, you can move or ship large quantities of frozen breast milk (up to 180 ounces) with The Stash (from $229 plus shipping and handling). Also permitted: items to keep your breast milk cool like ice packs, freezer packs or gel packs. in your. Refrigerator. These are some examples of occupational exposures that breastfeeding mothers may be exposed to at work. Worried youll have to store your breast milk in special containers or check it with your luggage? The X-ray machines in airport security checkpoints wont damage your breast milk in any way, according to TSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Depending on the length of your flight and the age of your child, you will most likely need more than 100 milliliters and a quart-sized bag worth of bottles. If the wrong gender is selected, the operator can rescan you. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. Follow the CDCs milk storage guidelines which say that expressed milk should be stored in clean, tightly sealed containers. You can keep that milk at room temperature for up to six to eight hours, 24 hours in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs and five days in a refrigerator or longer in a freezer. You may not always be able to choose your airports, but when you can, choose one of these best airports for breastfeeding. So before you book your next flight, heres what you need to know. Employers should provide mothers with information about and training on their potential occupational exposures. Milk Stork will ship you a custom-made cooler so that you can pump and store your breast milk at your convenience and then ship it to your final destination via the prepaid label and postage that came with the box. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Now, lets talk a bit more about milk storage options while flying. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Updated 04/25/2023. Editors note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. The Temp-Assure technology can keep your breast milk cold without the weight, hassle, and expense of using gel packs or dry ice. Working near diagnostic X-ray sources does not affect breast milk. Both DHL and FedEx do ship breast milk internationally, but make sure they do so in the country you're visiting. Breast Feeding on the Plane Each of the 5 cold shipping packages includes a chilling unit that is activated by the shipper (by the press of a button!) The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the potential risk of exposure to common toxicants through breast milk for most infants. Although its not required, TSA recommends that you transport breast milk in clear, translucent bottles instead of in bags or pouches. Just like with the airline rules, go the extra step of printing out the guidelines from the TSA to have on hand in case a screener questions you. To learn more about PPE, visit NIOSHs website on Reproductive Health and The Workplace. Fortunately, thanks to the Friendly Airports for Mothers Act of 2017, large and medium hub airports are now required to provide a lactation area in each passenger terminal after security to support moms and their babies. Pack and organize your bag with everything you need (and even a few things you may not, but want on hand just in case) before you go. Few studies have looked at the effects of PCE on nursing infants, however there are reports on neurological responses and perc exposure in children. As prepared as you might be, there is always the chance of a delay, a tantrum, rude passengers, and more. Unfortunately, theres a lot of confusion about whether or not breast pumps are considered medical devices (which would not count as one of your carry-on bags). By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Circular seals to secure the exterior of the cooler, however, these may be broken if airport security feels the need to inspect the cooler, Tamper-proof stickers to secure each individual breast milk storage bag. Formula, Breast Milk, and Juice. If you plan on checking your breast milk in your luggage, pre-frozen milk in milk bags stored in an insulated bag is a great way to prevent leaks. Jamie - July 9 You could put it in the bucket where you put your wallet, that the security guards hand around the dectectors - just explain what it is. Additionally, if you are traveling with a large amount of breast milk that may be interpreted as more than a reasonable quantity, you could also consider shipping the milk to your final destination and avoid the stress of airport security. You may need medical clearance. All Rights Reserved. ADD A COMMENT: Most mothers who work around chemicals can safely breastfeed their babies. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Disclaimer:Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. The TSA website says that the CDC has deemed no adverse effects of breast milk going through X-Ray screening, but you can ask for an alternative screening. Priority number one? (TSA's Rules) Can I bring milk on a plane? Six tips to make traveling when youre pumping easier. Guidelines for Taking Breast Milk on an Airplane - Verywell Family Studies show that PCE can enter breast milk. If you know youll be pumping in the airport or on the plane, add these items to your breast pump bag: Pro tip: If youre flying with breast milk and your baby and bringing your stroller along, you can use the stroller basket to stash all of your stuff and lug it through the airportjust know that youll have to empty it all when you go through security in order to break down your stroller to get it through the X-ray machine. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Easy-peasy. The Freeze & Ship option is great if you want to send frozen breast milk overnight (from $219 plus shipping and handling). Items of this nature can be purchased in Boots in our Departure Lounge. Ask the TSA agent to change into clean gloves before he . By Melissa Kotlen This means swabbing the outside, and sometimes inside, of the container. The info you need to store, freeze, and thaw your liquid gold with confidence. In some rare cases, the TSA agent may request that you open your breast milk bottles. The screening process doesnt always go off without a hitch. Consider these additional tips as you plan your trip. Baby Food and Baby Milk. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Its best to inform the TSA officer at the start of the screening process that you are carrying breast milk, so they can prepare for additional screening. Formula, Breast Milk, and Juice. If cancer or cancer treatment is causing symptoms or side effects, is making you look ill, or requires you to use oxygen, the airline crew can refuse to let you on the plane. The last thing youd want to have happen is for the milk to get spoiled by not staying at the appropriate temperature. You may also take liquid breast milk in your hand luggage if your child is not with you. Can you fly with frozen breast milk? Are you a teacher, first responder, healthcare worker, or in the military? Between the multiple security screenings, long lines, COVID-19 concerns adding the stress of traveling with your infant or young child adds a whole new dimension to the chaos of navigating airport travel. Bottom Line: Milk Stork is obviously catered towards mothers and breast milk delivery, which may help make the process feel easier. Greater amounts can be found in the breast milk of women exposed to higher amounts of PCE over longer periods of time. The typical procedure for examining breast milk involves it being X-rayed and/or opened and tested. When it comes to pumping and breastfeeding while traveling, the TSA has created a series of rules. But to be honest, traveling with multiple Coke bottles worth of breast milk in your carry-on might not be very practical! Traveling these days is no joke. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The only kicker is that water isnt allowed in quantities over 3.4 ounces. If you're traveling outside the US, you should also pack frozen breast milk in your hold luggage and check it at the airport. Only a few medications are contraindicated (not recommended) while breastfeeding. Frozen breast milk must bepacked in your checked luggage, no exception. Breast milk, formula, and juice are all allowed in your carry-on bag. How to breastfeed with confidence, no matter what sticky situation you find yourself in. Yes! Heres how to get one. When it comes to how much you can bring, the TSA says reasonable quantities, which leaves some discretion to the individual officer. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Working in Veterinary and Animal Care Services, learn more about reducing occupational exposure. Amex Gold Card vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card [Detailed Comparison], Sun Country Airlines Baggage Fees and Policy (And Tips To Cover the Expenses), Breast Milk, Baby Formula, and Juice Restrictions. but there are a few things to prepare for and think through before you board How many times have you had to toss something at the last minute at the TSA checkpoint? We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Screening procedures are increasinglynon-invasive, so if your breast milk is frozen, a visual inspection is usually fine. However, each airline can dictate their own rules when it comes to how many carry-on pieces you are allowed. Dont be. Once you reach the X-ray machine, have your breast milk out and ready for additional inspection. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. If your baby uses the same bottles for feeding as you do to store your milk, its easy to pop on a nipple and serve dinner while in the air. International Airport Security Guide for Carrying On Breast Milk. They just have to be frozen solid when they reach the TSA checkpoint. Parents who are flying with or without a child are allowed to bring breast milk in "reasonable quantities" in containers greater than the standard 3.4 ounces normally required by TSA. Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Nursing Honor Society. Once you have journeyed through security, you may find yourself needing to feed or pump and would probably enjoy some privacy while doing so. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice. Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site and p. rior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position. Dont worry, we did all of the research for you and we have the answers to all of these questions below! Should Breast Milk go thru X-ray? The Transportation Security Administration has agreed to pay $75,000 to a California woman for refusing to let her take bottles of breast milk through airport security in 2010, her lawyer said Wednesday. This is especially helpful for longer flights or layovers. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.