With the regulations that have been implemented to prevent liquid explosives on plane, there are rules on carrying liquids on board a flight. You may want to bring expressed milk in either liquid or solid (frozen) form, either for your baby during the flight or for later consumption. Your baby may or may not be traveling with you, for instance you may have expressed and stored the milk during a business trip to be brought back for your baby at home. Every now and then there are reports of mothers who are forced to dump their breast milk at security checks and each airline, or airport has different regulations on bringing breast milk.
Let’s explore these regulations and what to do when bringing breast milk on board.
Rules on Bringing Breast Milk
The rules on bringing breast milk differ, and the key information to check is whether breast milk is considered an exempted liquid and whether there is a different limit if your baby is not traveling with you. Some of the rules that are stated in a few airports includes:
UK
Liquids can only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less in a transparent and re-sealable single plastic bag. One liquid bag (of 1 liter capacity maximum, about 20 cm x 20 cm) is limited per person. The rule applies to breast milk if you are not traveling with your baby. If you are traveling with baby, you can carry-on the excess breast milk but it is limited to a ‘reasonable’ amount for the journey.
Australia
Similar to UK, the rules for carrying liquids apply to breast milk if you are not traveling with your baby. If you are traveling with your baby, you can carry-on excess breast milk in quantity that is reasonable for the journey and any potential delay. The security screening officer has the final say about what ‘reasonable quantity’ is.
Singapore
Similar to UK and Australia, breast milk can be carried on board (not restricted to the 100ml container, total 1 liter rule) if your baby is traveling with you.
Canada
Breast milk is considered as an exempted liquid, same as medication; even when you are not traveling with your baby. There is no limit to the amount that can be carried on the flight but it has to be packed separately from the other liquids, and easily removed for inspection.
US
Same as Canada, breast milk is an exempted liquid. You may also pack ice packs, freezer packs and frozen gel packs to keep the breast milk chilled. It is emphasized to declare that you are carrying breast milk and the cooling packs at the start of the screening process, rather than to be questioned about it. Due to the possibility of certain security staff not being aware of the rules relating to breast milk, it is recommended that travelers carrying expressed milk to have a printed copy of the TSA website page to prevent problems at security checkpoints.
Tips on Bringing Breast milk on Flight
#1 Check Airport Regulations
Given that different rules apply for different airports, it is best to check the rules of airports including those that you will be at transit. Print out the relevant page ruling from the airport website so that you can state to the security officer that you are packing as per their stated guidelines.
#2 Check Airline Policies
Also check with the airline that you are traveling with on their policies of carrying breast milk on their plane. It is unlikely that you will be allowed to store your breast milk in the fridge on the plane, therefore you will have to bring cool packs on board. Check with the airline before booking.
#3 Confirm and Print
If you have corresponded via email with the airports or the airlines, print out all the correspondences and bring along with you. If you are carrying extra breast milk that will be consumed during the hotel stay, also check with the hotel that they have a fridge or a freezer if you want to express and freeze your milk during the holiday. Confirm via email and bring along the printed email and printed airport guidelines during your travel.
#4 Packing for Carry-On
If you do not have your baby traveling with you, you’d want to check the airport and airline guide-lines carefully to ensure that you can carry it as an exempted liquid. If not an exempted liquid, you have to pack the breast milk into 100ml containers, no more than 1 liter in total.
#5 Keeping Breast milk Chilled
If you want to keep your breast milk chilled, you can pack a cooler with ice. Should the ice or water not be allowed at security checks, it is alright to throw the ice away and get new ones from cafes after the security checkpoint. On the plane, you can also ask the air stewardess for ice.
#6 Keeping Breast milk Frozen
Frozen breast milk is not a liquid; however, if it is semi-melted or slushy, it will also be considered as a liquid. For your frozen milk and ice packs to stay frozen for a longer time, be sure that you freeze until just before leaving for the airport. Pack each bottle and ice pack in its own sealed clear bag to prevent leakage during the flight. Pack such that each bottle is touching a frozen ice pack.
#7 Passing through Security Checkpoints
It has to be declared at the start of security checks, rather than wait to be questioned about the breast milk. Do not carry these items in a flask but instead in containers that are clear. Present the breast milk separately for screening from the other liquids. Passing through the x-ray screening will not affect the quality or safety of the breast milk. After the x-ray screening, there may be additional tests carried out on the breast milk. Request the security officer to wear clean gloves when testing the breast milk.
#8 Packing as Checked-In Luggage
Breast milk should be kept frozen or chilled if the flight is long. Freshly expressed milk is safe for infant consumption when stored at room temperature for up to 6 hours. Fresh milk may be safely stored in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. Refrigerated milk can be stored for 5 days. There is no need to declare the breast milk in the checked-in luggage but be sure that it is sealed properly in case of leakage.
#9 Packing with Dry Ice
Contact the airline to check its policy on dry ice. Likely, you would have to place it in a container that allows for the release of carbon dioxide, and the amount of dry ice is not more than 2.5kg. The dry ice should be wrapped in newspaper and set them in the bottom of the foam cooler.
#10 Calm and Firm
During the whole process, stay calm and stand firm. If you have already checked the regulations and obtained confirmation that what you are carrying is within the regulations and policies, stand firm. Have print outs ready and communicate to the airport and airline staff the policy on bringing breast milk, and consider yourself playing a part to support breastfeeding.
Keeping up with breastfeeding is not easy; if you are considering to supplement breast milk with formula, do not feel guilty. Enjoy your baby and your trip!
Read more on how this Airport Staff Makes Mom Throw Away 2 Weeks Worth Of Breastmilk
Written by Mei
