Traveling with Breast Milk: Tips for Keeping Milk Safe on the Go

Apr 02, 2025

As a feeding therapist, certified lactation counselor, and breastfeeding mom, I know how important it is for parents to feel confident when traveling with breast milk. Whether you’re taking a road trip or catching a flight to your destination, keeping your milk safe and fresh is key. The good news? With the right preparation, traveling with breast milk can be stress-free! Let’s dive into the best ways to store, transport, and handle breast milk while on the go.

Keeping Breast Milk Cold While Traveling

Breast milk stays fresh at different temperatures:

Freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature (up to 77°F) for 4 hours.
Refrigerated milk is safe for 4 days at 39°F or below.
Frozen milk lasts 6-12 months when kept at 0°F or lower.

When traveling, keeping milk at a safe temperature is crucial. Here’s how:

Use a high-quality insulated cooler with ice packs to transport fresh or frozen milk. Many pumping bags also include a built-in cooler section, which is a great option if you'll be traveling with a breast pump.
Keep bottles or storage bags tightly packed together in a cooler to maintain temperature longer.
Store fresh milk in an insulated breast milk chiller like the Cereschill. It has a 12-32oz capacity and can keep breast milk cold for up to 20 hours! If you continue to replace the ice in the inner chamber, you can even use indefinitely. Use code BFD15 for a discount!
If you’re staying somewhere with a fridge or freezer, transfer milk as soon as possible to extend freshness.

Road Tripping with Breast Milk

Planning a road trip? Here’s how to keep your milk safe:

Pack a reliable cooler with frozen ice packs. It does not have to be a dedicated cooler if you're bringing other chilled food items, but make sure that it will stay cold. If you're traveling very long distances, you can even pack the cooler with dry ice.
If staying in hotels, call ahead to request a room with a fridge/freezer.
Need to pump on the road? Bring a portable pump or a hand pump for pumping on the go. Otherwise, you can bring your regular pump with a car adapter or battery pack.
Use milk storage bags instead of bottles to save space in your cooler.

Flying with Breast Milk: TSA & Airline Guidelines

Breast milk (fresh or frozen) is allowed through TSA security, even if it exceeds the 3.4 oz liquid limit.

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (including puree pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids.
Inform TSA officers that you’re carrying breast milk, and they may screen it separately.
Ice packs, gel packs, and frozen milk are also permitted in carry-on luggage.
Your baby does not need to be present for you to travel with breast milk.
You may request your milk to skip of x-ray screening if you prefer, but the milk may require other testing.

Here's a link to the TSA website going over all the details you'll need to know! Make sure to also check the rules and regulations of the particular airline you're traveling with. Most airlines allow additional bags for breast milk and/or breast pumps in addition to your allowed baggage.

Packing Tips for Air Travel:

Use insulated cooler with frozen gel packs to keep milk cold for the duration of your flight.
If your flight is long, check if there’s an onboard fridge or ask flight attendants for ice to refresh your cooler.

With a little planning, you can travel confidently while ensuring your baby’s milk stays fresh and safe. Whether you’re taking a short road trip or flying across the country, these tips will help you navigate the journey with a little less stress.

Feeling like you need more in-depth help with feeding your baby? I'm here to walk beside you on your feeding journey with my Bottle & Breastfeeding Course! It's full of comprehensive, evidence-based strategies for feeding your baby to help you feel more confident and prepared. Click the link below for more!