How to Travel With Frozen Breast Milk

For nursing mothers traveling away from their babies, transporting frozen breast milk can be stressful, especially given new security rules about air travel with liquids. But the idea of "pumping and dumping" precious breast milk is unthinkable to most women who put in their time with a breast pump. Here's how to travel with frozen breast milk so you can bring it home safely to baby.

1 Decide whether you'll be bringing the breast milk as a carry-on item or checking it with your luggage. Security regulations won't allow you to carry on more than one 12 oz. plastic storage bag filled with containers of 3 oz. or less. So if you've got a big stash to bring home, you're better off checking it.

2 Fill breast milk storage bags with no more than 3 oz. in case you decide to take some on board. Place in a bag filled with frozen gel packs rather than ice, since frozen gel packs are safer for preserving frozen breast milk.

3 Put the breast milk enclosed in frozen gel packs into a suitcase if you plan on checking it. Feel comfortable with this option since checked luggage will be kept colder than carry-on items during air travel.

4 Consider shipping the breast milk packed in dry ice using next-day delivery if you'll be traveling a great distance or expect significant delays during travel. Breast milk is safe for consumption for as long as 8 hours thawed, however, so unless you're planning on close to a full day of travel, you probably won't need this option.