https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:29:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2658393 Tue, 29 Nov 2016 00:54:48 +0000 Shantuck 2658393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Make sure your ice packs are completely frozen. I was forced to toss some extra ice packs that I hadn't frozen because I didn't end up needing to use them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2658277 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 18:16:58 +0000 MACSUNSHINE 2658277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all! I hope it goes smoothly, I will likely carry it on just in case luggage gets lost. I will be departing out of D.C. so hopeful that their security is good with it. And great to know about hotels, I don't want to freeze and then risk thawing on flight home so I think the tips above will help.</p> <p>@mrswin arrggg what a nightmare! I am glad it worked out for you and hopefully I will have. O trouble. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2658257 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 17:38:56 +0000 mrswin 2658257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MACSUNSHINE: I don't want to sound like negative Nancy but be prepared! It may be different because I was traveling within Canada and since we have a 1 year maternity leave I feel like pumping and flying is not as common and I had some pretty major issues.</p> <p>One time I was taking an early morning flight 7am and my daughter nursed at 5am so when I got to the airport at 6 I went to security. I had frozen my ice pack the night before because I was going to be traveling for close to 8 hours before arriving at my destination. They wanted to confiscate my ice pack because it had condensation on it and all of my milk bottles were empty :shocked: no amount of trying to explain that I hadn't pumped because my daughter had just eaten was working. I had the TSA rules printed and they still didn't want to allow it. I escalated it twice before a manager came out from the back and reluctantly agreed. I made it to my gate with minutes to spare.</p> <p>The other time the security agent (young guy, mid20's) tried to tell me I couldn't bring pumped milk because my baby wasn't with me. "Why do you need milk if the bay isn't here" &lt;- insert me trying to explain why while my male boss stands 2 feet away waiting for me. I requested a female supervisor who was amazing! She came over and pretty much told him that regardless if the child is with me I can bring milk and to let me go. I wanted to kiss her!</p> <p>Every hotel I stayed at was great about providing a fridge (let them know you need it for medical reasons so they prioritize you if they don't have one in every room). In the odd situation where they weren't able to freeze my ice pack I just put it in my checked bag defrosted and used I to keep it cool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2658235 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 17:16:36 +0000 PawPrints 2658235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Carrying milk onto the plane is pretty easy. You're allowed to use ice packs if it's for the milk. I got a Thermos insulated zip bag that fit a lot of milk and used that with 3-4 ice packs. It's even easier if you can freeze it before the flight but that's probably not an option for you in a hotel room mini fridge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2658073 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 14:19:58 +0000 Pollywog 2658073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would carry on with an ice pack. Once you get through security, get ice from Starbucks or a bar. I put my milk in freezer bags and then put them all in a ziplock and put that in a lunch box </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2658030 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 13:41:46 +0000 bushelandapeck 2658030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I carried on and froze when I got home (appx 10 hours) with no issue. I asked the hotel to free cold packs and then I picked them up before I left for the airport. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2658013 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 13:21:00 +0000 JennyPenny 2658013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've checked mine every time I've flown and had no problem. I've also found every hotel to be super accommodating and willing to store milk/icepacks/etc. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2657971 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 12:48:28 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2657971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I carried on. I didn't want it getting shaken or lost and ruined. Also it's medical liquids so it does not count towards your carry on limits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2657915 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 11:33:20 +0000 sungirl 2657915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I checked it. Just put a small cooler in my luggage with ice packs. Asked the hotel to freeze my ice packs. Also called ahead to have a fridge put in my room. I froze the milk when I got home. It was easier than I expected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2657906 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 11:28:25 +0000 mamabolt 2657906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always carried on and asked hotel to freeze reusable icepacks for me. Have you confirmed you'll have a fridge in room, if not, ask the hotel and they should be able to provide one. I also have always printed out the TSA guidelines on carrying BM just in case there are any issues, but I've never had any. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/business-travel-tips-for-flying-with-breast-milk#post-2657883 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 11:08:26 +0000 MACSUNSHINE 2657883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello - I am leaving on my first business trip for three nights (yikes!). I will be pumping while I am away, I do not need to ship it home so my plan is to keep it refrigerated and then freeze or use right when I get home.</p> <p>Any advice for my return flight with the milk? Better to check it (worried about it spilling)? Or carry on? Just take ice from the hotel machine or bring ice packs and ask the hotel to freeze them for me? It is for a huge conference so not sure how accommodating the hotel will be. It is probably 5 hours door to door.</p> <p>Any advice is appreciated, TIA! </p>