We are taking our first flight tomorrow to visit my parents in California. The TSA website says we can bring as much breastmilk as needed for the flight. In your opinion/experience, how much is this? I plan to nurse LO while we are together traveling but I'd like to bring a stash along with us. There will be a time later in the day and evening when I"m not with LO and I dont want the pressure of pumping enough in the afternoon (when I naturally produce less.) I guess I could also bring a couple of frozen packets in my bag. What would you do?
Also, any other tips, tricks or advice from moms that have already traveled by air?
Re: Travel question and advice
I've never had an issue w liquids on a plane if I have a baby. Even when they get old enough for whole milk, etc, no one has ever hassled me for liquids for babies.
Bring as much as you think you'll need. If you do bring frozen, you'll have to use within 24 hours once completely thawed. Ice packs and/or ice are also okay on planes.
I would say to bring as much as you feel comfortable wasting just in case your LO doesn't want to nurse much during the flight. That white noise is wonderful and will likely put your LO right to sleep.
TSA may want to put a test strip over you thawed milk so if you plan to use it day of flying, transport the milk in bottles instead of bags. They may ask to test the frozen milk, but that is unlikely. Bring emergency ziplock bags to put ice in (from a restaurant past security) if you find your icepack melting if flying late in the day night and your ice melts. They may also want to hand inspect your pump so I try not to burry it in my carry on. Assume your LO will eat 4oz to replace a feed but don't be surprised if he eats less.
IME pumping in-flight at your seat, assuming DH is your seat mate, is preferable to pumping in the gross family washrooms if you have to do that.
Hopefully that's not too neive.