You may have heard horrible stories about flying with breastmilk. These include security agents forcing moms to dispose off the milk to broken baby bottles. However these tips may help successfully travel with breastmilk .

Great tips for traveling with breast milk

1. you can bring a regular carry on luggage because your breast pump doesnt count as a carry on. It is  a medical device.  However you may have to explain several times that your breast pump is  medical device. Your breast milk cooler  does count as a carry on
2. be sure to bring with you a  good water tight cooler , plenty of ice and lots of empty bottles or milk storage bags. You have to declare them at security even if they are empty. Ask to TSA agent to change into a new glove before inspecting them. Consider sealing your cooler with a duct tape after security .Your freezer packs and breast milk storage containers may be more than 3 oz.
3. Get rooms with freezer when you book a hotel. If you dont have  a freezer, you can ask the hotel desk to have your breast milk cooler stored in the hotel freezer.  This means that anytime you pump milk, you have to  carry it to the hotel desk, ask for your cooler, put your milk in, and have the cooler returned to the freezer.
4. You may fly with unlimited quantity of breastmilk per TSA rules
5. Always declare breastmilk when you go through security. If it is frozen solid, no special test may be done on it. However for liquid or semi frozen  milk, a special test may be done on  each bag or bottle where they wipe the bottle with a piece of paper and put the paper in a machine that tests for explosives. Ask the TSA agent to put on a new and clean glove before touching your cooler.
6. if you need to pump milk at the airport , ask if they have  a breastfeeding lounge or baby care area. If not, find a family restroom with an outlet
7. This guidelines may not apply to international travel. If you are traveling internationally, contact the consulate of your destination country to find out their recommendation
8. Check the TSA guidelines before traveling with breastmilk.