Pumping and Flying?

gysberger04

Does anyone have experience in pumping while traveling for work?  I will be out of town for 2 days for work (flying) and need some clarification on the TSA rules for traveling with a pump and breastmilk.  The TSA website says they will allow an 'acceptable' amount of breastmilk to go through security, but no not indicate the actual amount (ounces) that are deemed 'acceptable'.  Also, can you use freezer packs to keep milk cold while flying or did you use something else?  Finally, can breast milk and the pump go through the xray scanners?  I am traveling with 2 coworkers and don't want to cause a scene at security with my 'gear'.  Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

 

mcanant

You can bring as much on as you want. No limits. Considered Medical. Friend just went for wedding and brought back 50 ounces. You can use ice packs as long as they are frozen. I use fridge to go, which cooler panels stay frozen for 12 hours. If your freezer packs are unfrozen, they may just fuss and test them more (pass them through xray or whatnot).  If you are flying under 6 hours, then out of fridge, you should be fine. It will not go through xray. You declare at head of line you have a pump and milk and they take it aside and MAY test the milk. They do not touch it at all. You open a bag or bottle and they put a strip above it, testing for fumes or something like that. Then you are free to go. Also, if you are staying at a hotel, they will provide a fridge if you call ahead.

 

I am going to Europe for three weeks and am going to bring back no less than 90 ounces. 

Ladiebug710

I just did this a couple weeks ago.  It was really no problem.  There are no limits for breast milk.  Ice packs aren't a problem either.  Everything just has to go through the xray scanner.  At the airport on the way home they set a bottle in some machine for a second (maybe check the optical density or something, I don't know), but that was the only testing done.  Anything frozen doesn't even count as a liquid which I was totally relieved to find out because I had several ice packs that I thought might be an issue.  It really only took me about two extra minutes to get through security. 

blu-eyedwife

I used to have to run my pump through the x-ray machine a lot, everytime I went to court.  It's fine, but I would always give them a heads-up so the guy behind the scanner wasn't alarmed by the giant battery pack.

As far as the milk, I don't think there's a set amount.  Whatever you pump will be fine. Depending on how long the flight is, I would either freeze the milk itself (short flight), or just use the freezer pack (long flight).