I have to travel for work and will be away for a week. This is suppose to be happening twice but DH and DD will be able to come one of the times which will help. But for the other, what's the best way to transport a good 100 oz. of breast milk back home? I know I can carry it onto the plane but suggestions on storing, keeping cold, etc. I was thinking large mason jars or something?
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I've pumped plenty of times on work trips. I had a small softside cooler to transport milk.
I pumped into breastmilk bags (so much easier than pumping into bottles) and then put the bags in gallon sized zip lock bags. I filled up quart sized zip lock bags with ice and put them in the cooler. It wasn't bad.
The hardest part (IMO) when traveling for work is the logistics around pumping in airports, on planes, or when in another office.
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I used this cooler,and it worked great! Easily held a week's worth of milk + ice packs + bottles. Supposedly, some pumps will fit in the top part too, but not the Medela PISA. Bonus: it will slide over the handle of your rolling suitcase for easy transport. http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/crew-cooler-ii/204851?productid=10173245
ETA: I pumped into bottles but stored in bags, laid flat to freeze. By the end of the week, I just stacked my frozen "bricks" on top of each other and they filled up the space perfectly. Surround the stack with reusable ice packs or bags of ice on ALL sides, and fill up any remaining air in the cooler with wadded up newspaper (it will help insulate). Be sure to leave room for your last/travel day's milk in the cooler too - I transported that in bottles since it never had time to freeze before I had to fly home.
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I also recommend pumping into breastmilk storage bags. Easier to transport and it'll already be portioned out however you like.
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I pumped into breastmilk storage bags and froze it flat. It takes up a lot less space that way and like others have said, it will be portioned out the way you like.
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If you tell your hotel you need a fridge for pumping purposes they will usually waive any fees.
When I was traveling and pumping I stored it in bags. The wipes to clean my parts were a lifesaver. I had about 100oz and kept it in my hotel mini fridge. The night before I flew out I brought 3 ice packs down to the front desk and asked them to Freeze them for me.
I picked them up at check out the next morning and put everything in a soft sided cooler. I carried it on and had no issues besides security needing to check with their supervisor (it was fine)
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@Bluebonnet: @Alivoo01: I originally thought about that but I would need like 30 bags? I just fear them leaking or something as I bring them home. Or TSA needing to test every.single.one.of.them. The solo trip is a conference so they'll have space for pumping but it'll be tough to work around the meeting sessions. And it's almost a cross country flight so I might have to hand pump to relieve myself a bit on the way? When you filled bags with ice, did you do that at the airport or before?
@MrsLonghorn: That's smart Just wish it were cheaper! What kind of ice packs did you use?
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@Charm54: Yeah I requested one with my work (since it's a work conference and they're booking all the rooms). Hopefully it's there at check in and not an issue... The ice packs were just normal lunch box style ones? I don't use wipes now since I refrigerate in between pumps but I might not be able to do that during the conference. Good call...
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@LindsayInNY: yeah, not cheap but I exclusively pumped, so I used it even when I traveled with DS. We used these ice packs (and kept them to use in lunch boxes in the future) http://www.amazon.com/Fit-Fresh-Coolers-Lunch-Packs/dp/B003FO2B5U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452613031&sr=8-1&keywords=flat+ice+pack
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Wipes are great for a conference!
I kept it in the fridge at the hotel just fine.
If you want to combine to larger jars that's fine I think. TSA never had to check each individual container. I packed with ice from the hotel and carried through security just fine. Most restaurants past security will refill ice for you. I use gallon zip lock bags and travel with extra.
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I'd worry jars would add a lot of weight to carry, it can get heavy lugging all that milk on the way back!
I pumped into bottles, stored in bags when I traveled. I had a minifridge with freezer compartment so I was actually able to get some of the milk to freeze, and the hotel froze ice packs for me as well, I carried it all thru security and they tested just some of it.
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@LindsayInNY: I used the Lansinoh bags with DS and pumped quite a bit. Never had one leak on me!
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@LindsayInNY: The Target up and up bags don't ever leak and they are the cheapest you can buy in a store. To me, they are way better than Lansinoh. I wouldn't use mason jars--too heavy, too much risk of breakage if you drop the bag.
As pps have said, freeze the individual bags flat, then put in gallon size ziplocs. Add a couple of ice packs or bags of ice to the cooler and you are done.
Just pack it like this, down in a cooler, with one ice pack above and one below.
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@Anagram: Good point about the potential breaking - didn't think of that (duh)!
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