May 2015 Moms

Travelling with breast milk

i have to travel about 8 hours by car next weekend to be a bridesmaid in my friends wedding. I won't always be available to breastfeed LO so I need to have some milk pumped. Im only able to pump once a day, so waiting until I get there to pump what I need isn't an option. I've read that fresh milk is good on ice for 24 hours...so here's my question. I need the milk for Saturday. If I pumped once each on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and brought that on ice does that count as "fresh milk" even though it's a few days old. And will the 5 day In the fridge rule still be applicable even though it wasn't consistently in the fridge because of transport? I've just never had to do this so any tips would help.

Daisypath Anniversary tickers

Re: Travelling with breast milk

  • I'd suggest freezing it and then use your trip to "thaw" it on your drive in cooler with ice, and then transfer to a fridge once you get to your destination.

    Has your LO drank chilled breast milk before? My son won't drink it cold, so you may want to test that ahead of time!
    Babysizer Geeky Pregnancy Tracker
  • Loading the player...
  • TBsquaredTBsquared member
    edited August 2015
    After breast milk is thawed its only good for 24 hours. I'll be arriving Thursday and need the milk Saturday so that's not going to work. Also We'd be warming the milk before giving it to her.

    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
  • Buckles0528Buckles0528 member
    edited August 2015
    TBsquared said:

    After breast milk is thawed its only good for 24 hours. I'll be arriving Thursday and need the milk Saturday so that's not going to work. Also We'd be warming the milk before giving it to her.

    I treat thawed milk like fresh. If it doesn't get used it goes in the fridge up to 4 days. Where did you get the 24 hour rule? I'd be more comfortable doing what pp said rather than fresh milk on ice not refrigerated.
  • After breast milk is thawed its only good for 24 hours. I'll be arriving Thursday and need the milk Saturday so that's not going to work. Also We'd be warming the milk before giving it to her.
    I treat thawed milk like fresh. If it doesn't get used it goes in the fridge up to 4 days. Where did you get the 24 hour rule? I'd be more comfortable doing what pp said rather than fresh milk on ice not refrigerated.

    The 24-hour rule is what my pediatrician and lactation consultant told me too. 

    I exclusively pump, so I spend a lot of time doing this juggle as we've traveled a few times so far.  If it were me, I would feel totally comfortable doing what you're planning but make sure to use ice-packs or dry ice, not ice cubes, which will melt much faster.

    And just a tip depending on the reason for why you can only pump once a day, if possible, I would power-pump on your car ride if you're the passenger. :)  You'll just be stuck there anyway, and it's a good way to boost your supply.  Good luck! 
  • Maybe try the medela harmony it's a hand pump and stop every so often during the road trip to BF
  • You could feed her the thawed breastmilk during the trip while pumping fresh?
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"