Flying with frozen breastmilk -?

A few questions regarding upcoming travel with DD.

- If I pack frozen breastmilk in a cooler bag with several ice packs will it be ok for a few hours? Like approximately 6 hours before I can get it in a fridge. (I am going to a wedding and it will need to thaw and be used the next day.)

2 - I have an even longer flight coming up too...would the frozen bm be ok in same set up but for 9 hours? I again will thaw and use it next day. Someone told me to freeze in bottles not bags as it will hold longer? Only other options is cold milk vs frozen...I can do this but just have to be coordinated.

3 -will TSA have an issue with gel ice packs or are zip lock bags with ice cubes better?

4 - Where should I pack this...I will need about 25-30oz for the first trip. But should I put it in carrying on and what happens in security? Again it will be frozen. I can put it in my checked bag but worry about losing it even though I don't have a connection...I am paranoid.

TIA!

Message edited 1/26/2013 8:57:19 PM.

Re: Flying with frozen breastmilk -?

Typically when I brought frozen breastmilk with me places it would be "sweating" or starting to defrost after a few hours (lets say about 3 hours) but certainly not liquid yet. You may want to do a test run with a smaller amount (like 1 freezer bag rather than like 8 or something).

Also, I'd DEFINITELY put it in your carry on. You can always request ice on the plane, it stays on your person etc. I know that you are allowed breastmilk through security, though I don't know about the amounts or if you can bring ice vs gel packs. Probably worth scouring the TSA.gov site and checking with your airline.

Good luck, I'm travelling for the first time with my 9 month old twins and feel a little overwhelmed myself :)

Flying with frozen breastmilk -?

Frozen milk should be fine on both flights- just put ice packs in there with them. U can keep it in a cooler bag in ur carry on- just tell the TSA agents when u go through security. They will take it out, look at it, maybe even wand it or test it (I flew in dec & at JFK they said they were going to test it; I said "u aren't sticking anything in th milk right?" bc I didn't want them to contaminate it in any way & they didn't. They had a social machine thingy to test it. Just be sure u tell them right awa what u have & answer any questions & u should be fine.

Re: Flying with frozen breastmilk -?

Flying with frozen breastmilk -?

Flew from OR to NY a 6 hour flight with my frozen BM. I had it stored in the plastic milk storage bags in my Ameda cooler with several ice packs. TSA did examine them with a machine but, I had no issues and milk was fine when I got to NY.

Re: Flying with frozen breastmilk -?

What about just bring fresh milk that you pumped a few days before leaving? It doesn't have to be frozen....just a suggestion....especially if it will be fed to your DD the next day...