XP:Traveling with Breast Milk

xoexpat · November 2012

Hello there, I haven't written a proper intro yet but I will! But right now I have some questions that are stressing me out, and wonder if anyone else here has gone through a similar situation. I also posted this on BF board.

We are moving to Scotland in 2 weeks. I hardly have any frozen milk, but have been pumping to build a supply to feed at least one baby a bottle while on the plane and I will BF the other one and alternate. Our trip is in two main parts:

1) The day prior to international flight, we will be driving 4 hours to Dallas and staying overnight.

2) The first flight is to Frankfurt, and is almost 10 hours. THen we go to Scotland, almost 2 hours NBD.

My concerns are whether to try to bring the milk frozen solid or just chilled, whether to carry-on the pump or not and just how to do it in general. Mainly I'm thinking just to have enough for one baby for the flight and not concerned about more than necessary to have a stash.

Thanks if you read this far, and if you have any suggestions!

ccip82 · November 2012

Hi, welcome to the board and congrats on your babies! I am living in Aberdeen, Scotland with my DH and 11 month old DD. I look forward to reading your intro when you get a chance-there are a couple of us now in Scotland

In regards to your questions, I will try to help! Having two to feed at once though sounds a lot more challenging than one-if you have not tried already-you might want to ask the multiples board this question as well.

In case you delayed in any way and if you need the pump to be able to feed both twins, I would bring it as a carry on. What type of pump is it manual/electic? (keeping in mind the different electric in mainland Europe as well as UK) Also-medela makes sanitizing/cleaning wipes that you can quickly and easily wipe down pump parts when on the go. If you do not normally have to pump to be able to feed both babies, then I would consider checking the pump in your luggage if you already have a lot to carry on-which I imagine you do with twins!

Also, in case you run into an emergency and something happens to your milk, I would consider bringing formula along.

I would rather bring the chilled milk as opposed to frozen (I think chilled lasts longer) and would bring enough to last 24 hours of feeding one baby. The flight attendents can be very accomodating-they can bring a cup of hot water for you to heat the milk and some will even heat it up for you, if you have your hands full.

When we travelled when DD was little I would pack the following in my diaper bag for the flight: enough diapers for changing every three hours for the duaration of the trip (including layovers) plus a couple extra, wipes, a couple pacifiers with the clip to attach to their outfits (the only time DD ever used one was on a plane-when she would not feed during takeoff/landing I would give her a pacifcier to suck), two extra outfits (I found the footed sleep n plays the easiest for travelling), a large ziploc bag to store the soiled outfit in case of a diaper blowout, changing pad, and 1 or 2 clip on toys (your babies are so young though they probably wont need them)

I do not want to overwhelm you with info! If you have any other questions, I would be happy to help. The other ladies on this board are very knowledgeable about travelling with babies and will offer you advice too.

Also, try not to stress too much (I have a tendency to do that) Yes, the trip will most likely be long, tiring, and stressful at times-but it is only 1 day of travelling-you can do it ...Scotland is also an amazing part of the UK, we absolutely love living here!!

AmberinDenmark · November 2012

I think all of the above is great advice! I live in Denmark, and traveled to and from the states with a bf only child when he was 3 months and 6 months. I am now pregnant with twins, and I am glad to know there is someone out there trying to travel across the Atlantic with twins!

Ditto the info about using the flight attendants for help. I brought chilled milk with me in a little cooler, and they put it in the fridge for me, or brought me ice for it. I didn't bring any formula with me or my breast pump (it was packed), but if one of those makes you feel a little more secure during the travel, then do it! Just remember the plug adaptor if it is an electric one.

Good luck!

xoexpat · November 2012

Thanks to both of you! I think my plan is to bring frozen milk in dry ice on the 4 hour road trip to Dallas, then thaw it the morning of the flights since I'll have 24 hours to use it once thawed. I'll probably check the pump since I don't normally need it to feed the twins.

I am getting really anxious about the trip, but we ar traveling under the best circumstances...each baby gets their own seat in business class, so I know it could be way worse. Although DH was kind of insisting that we check the stroller as luggage...I looked at him like he was a crazy person!

I will have to let you all know how it goes!

ccip82 · November 2012

I took a look at your blog and it looks like we will be living in the same area of Scotland. Once you get in and settled, if you have any questions regarding grocery stores, housing, baby things, anything in general let me know! Also, the expat group I belong to is awesome (it is made up primarily of Americans and Canadians). I have met some great ladies through it and am part of the Mom and Tots group which is a lot of fun. We have meet ups once a week and once a month we have a moms night out

We too travelled business class on our initial move to Scotland and it.was.amazing. DD had her own seat as well and with all the extra room it made the flight very enjoyable...reality set in once we were not flying on DH's company's dime, lol.

When DD was younger, we checked the stroller as luggage and I wore her on some overseas flights. It worked well for us, but with each of your babies having their own seat I imagine you are bringing their carseats onboard. I would definitely want my stroller in the airport with me so you are not lugging around carseats as well.

Good luck with the upcoming flights!

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