Flying with Breast Milk--recent Experiences?

I can answer one question which is that you can bring on the breast milk since the scan it seperately with a wand for explosive matter. Any amount.

I flew about 2 years ago, so I hope that's recent enough for you. I don't have experience with your specific airports buuuttt...
1. They sent my pump through the x-ray thing and asked me what it was and made me take it out of the bag. The guy looked really uncomfortable the whole time and it really wasn't bad.
2. I did bring milk back--I had it in a backpack in those storage bags that only hold 6 ounces so I didn't have any trouble. Again, security guys are really uncomfortable with the whole thing. They are way more uncomfortable with it that you are! (I didn't encounter any women TSA agents on my trip.)
3. Unfortunately in one airport the bathroom was the only option and I was miserable, uncomfortable, and RIGHT in front of a mirror in a busy bathroom. BUT I did get as many sympathetic looks and comments as I did nasty looks. In another airport I wised up and I asked someone if there were any private areas where I could pump. The gal was great and showed me to a "family bathroom" that was locked and only opened if you know the code. Go to one of the courtesy phones or ask an airport employee.

I flew internationally at Christmas time. The new rules are, you can carry milk on board without having the baby present (you used to have to have the baby with you). We had water in bottles to mix with formula. We had to open each bottle at security and they held a little litmus paper over it to test for fumes or something similar. They will NOT ask you to taste it. I would pack your breast pump in your luggage if possible, so it's one less thing for you to worry about, although I don't really forsee there being a problem with it. The limit of milk is "a reasonable amount". How's that for ambiguity?? We took 6 bottles of water for an internation flight from Australia to the US. We live in Australia so I emailed the TSA to clarify. Then I printed their response and carried it with me in my handbag. I never had to use it but it's not a bad idea to do if you are concerned. Good luck!

Congrats on your new addition!! I recently flew, with my family, including a 2 month old. I also was breastfeeding, but brought my pump along too. I took it as a carry-on and there were no questions asked - just normal screening. I also brought a bottle of pumped milk with me "just in case" and all they did was swipe it to test for drugs. They were very gentle and understanding about it all, but I did have 2 small kids with me as well. I didn't bring any pumped milk back as I didn't think that I could keep it cold while traveling, so i don't know how they handle an abundance of milk. I hope this helps and that you have a safe trip.

I did the exact same thing a month ago but from Providence to Fort Myers! haha... NO Hassels at all. Just make sure your ice packs are frozen solid and if they want to run tests on the pump ask them to put on new (clean) gloves. I pumped in the family restroom at the Ft. Myers airport which offered privacy at least. It was quite a balancing act though b/c I was trying not to touch anything! Good luck!!!

I too have had to do this numerous times, and empathize.
1) I brought along my breast pump as carry on luggage, and never had any hassles from security.
2) I would put my milk in storage bags and then put the storage bags in an little Igloo ice chest (like you would use to carry a 6 pack) with a bag or two of frozen peas that I would pick up on my way to the airport. The peas kept the milk nice and chilled. I would then just check the Igloo through as luggage.
3) I pumped in the bathrooms with my battery pack, but I have also pumped in the car in a parking lot on the way.
Good luck!

I travel for business while breastfeeding so I have had too many experiences with pumps and airports. I always carried my pump on for fear that if I get held up or anything that I would be engorged and squirting everyone in the airport!

1- The hassle varied. Sometimes I did not get any questions what so ever. I always got looked at to make sure I was the right "demographic" to carry a breast pump. The worst was when a female said I didn't have a baby and because I didn't have any milk in the bottles that I couldn't carry my freezer packs through. I was like- duh it is the morning of my trip away from my child. I walked to the bathroom, pumped an ounce and went back through security without a hitch. The most common is getting the pump scanned as a bomb risk.

2- You can carry it all through- I was checking it since I can get one bag for free. But like the previous poster mentioned, they have a litmus paper they can wave over it and test. That was never an issue.

3- If you can get a battery pack or extension cord to pump in a bathroom at the airport that would be your best bet. The airport bathrooms are horrible for making it extremely inconvenient to pump. The looks are priceless if you do pump at the counter. The other awkward part is the extremely supportive women that will come over and have conversations with you while you pump. I have gotten better through the years- I carry a nursing cover so I wasn't completely exposed (I got the extension cord suggestion when I was weaning my daughter).

With all the increased security following the attempted bombing on the NW flight on Christmas morning, I'd really recommend you both visit TSA.gov and call the airline you're flying with to see what they recommend.

I never had a problem with the pump going through security - if they had any questions, I honestly don't mind them checking. I'd rather get where I'm going safely than worry about the hassle of making sure I'm not a security risk.

But, when I first flew without my 4 month-old son, I was told that if there was NO baby, there were to be NO liquids. So, I pumped 4 times/day and dumped the breastmilk. It's tragic to do that, but it kept up my supply and kept me comfortable.

I've traveled and used airport bathrooms mainly (usually family designated restrooms vs. large ladies rooms), but I've also found a secluded area (easier at some airports vs. others), brought a drape and pumped at one of the open areas.

Remember that in addition to the pump, you'll need to have detergent, brushes, etc. to clean everything so you can reuse the containers and have access to a refrigerator or just dump it.

It's worth the call to the TSA if their website isn't helpful (I never found it to have good answers personally).

Good luck.

I flew from Boston to the UK about 4 weeks ago with pump in my carry-on and had no issues whatsoever. Haven't experienced #s 2&3 but hope this helps somewhat.

Hello,
I did the same thing last year when I left my 11 month old for a weekend. In the Boston airport, they did a full check of the pump. They didn't give me a problem, but it was a little time consuming. In Orlando, they put it right through. I did bring home milk and as far as I know, there was no limit. I probably brought back 6 bottles full of milk. I just had it in a lunch box with an ice pack, and as long as you declare that you have it, they shouldn't give you a problem. I had no problem. I did not pump in the airport, so that I am not sure about.
Good luck and have a good trip!

I think the others have covered it pretty well, but I just want to add that you should make sure that you are diligent about making sure the milk stays cold enough to be useful when you get home. You can never know if there are going to be delays or other things that detain you. It would be a huge shame if you went through all that trouble and then had to throw it away. I used the storage section of my Medela pump in style with the medela ice packs. I don't remember exactly but they last for a really long time.
Good luck!

Your breast pump can either be checked in luggage, checked by itself (if self-contained) or carried on (the easiest). There was no hassle getting my pump through security, just put it on the belt and they scanned it.
I've flown with frozen milk packed into a checked bag only, but I'd just call your airline and find out the guidelines for carrying it on.
As for pumping in the airport, I'd avoid it by all means necessary. I wouldn't breastfeed my daughter in a public restroom and wouldn't want to expose anything else of hers to the germs in one either.
Good luck!