At a glance
Traveling with a breastfeeding baby
Breastfeeding can provide a source of comfort for babies whose normal routine is disrupted due to travel. In addition to offering ideal nutrition for your baby, breast milk keeps babies hydrated. Breastfed babies younger than 6 months do not need to drink water or any other liquids, even in hot weather.
Before departure
By planning ahead, you can successfully continue to nurse or express milk for your baby.
While traveling
Nurse your baby during takeoff and landing when traveling by airplane. This will help to protect your child from ear pain due to cabin pressure changes.
Feed your baby on demand. The best way to maintain your milk supply is to breastfeed whenever your baby is hungry.
Traveling without a breastfeeding baby
If you are traveling without your child and plan on continuing breastfeeding, take steps to maintain your milk supply. Working with a lactation support provider or pediatrician may also be helpful to plan for your specific situation.
Before departure
Express breast milk in advance so your child may continue to have your milk while you are apart. Babies who have never drunk milk from a bottle or cup should practice with another caregiver.
While traveling
You have many options for what to do with your milk while traveling. You can express milk and store it, send it home, or "pump and dump" (throw it out). If storing or shipping your milk are not possible, "pumping and dumping" can help you maintain your milk supply. This will help you continue breastfeeding when you are back with your baby
Expressing milk
Here are some tips for preserving your milk supply while traveling:
- Take regular breaks to express your milk—as frequently as you would normally feed your baby, if possible.
- To maintain a milk supply over a long period, consider using an electric breast pump for greater success. If using an electric breast pump, think about whether you will need an electrical adapter and converter.
- Plan for a backup (such as hand expression or a portable manual pump) to express milk if needed.
- Before expressing milk, make sure to wash your hands with soap and water. You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- If you are traveling by car, plane, or other transportation, a manual or battery-powered breast pump may be the best option. Some pumps can also be powered with car adapters.
Storing milk
Check with your hotel or lodging accommodations in advance to request a compact refrigerator for your room if needed.
Store expressed milk in milk storage bags or clean food-grade containers with tight-fitting lids made of glass or BPA-free plastic.
Store milk in the back of the refrigerator or freezer where the temperature is more likely to stay constant.
For additional storage options and information on how to properly thaw milk, see Breast Milk Storage and Preparation.
Transporting milk
If you expect to have expressed milk with you during travel, carefully plan how to transport the milk. The type of transportation (airplane, car, train, bus) may influence the policies you need to follow.
You can carry freshly expressed milk in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. After arriving at your destination, use the milk right away, store it in the refrigerator, or freeze it.
If you carry frozen milk in a cooler with frozen gel packs or ice, check your milk when you get to your destination. If the milk has ice crystals, you can refreeze it.
Previously frozen milk should be kept cold and used within 24 hours from when it thaws completely. Thawing time will depend on the time spent traveling and the cooler temperature. If possible, check the milk after a few hours in the cooler to see if the milk has thawed.
Considerations for air travel
The Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act and the Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Improvement Act require hub airports to provide a private, non-bathroom space for breast milk expression in each terminal. Check the airport's website to locate these spaces.
In the United States, expressed milk and related baby and child feeding items are exempt (excused) from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations limiting quantities of liquids and gels.
Passengers can carry all milk expression items with them through airport security checkpoints and onboard flights. These include:
- All expressed milk.
- Ice packs.
- Gel packs (frozen or unfrozen).
- Pumps and pump kits.
- Other items required to transport expressed milk.
You do not have to be traveling with a baby to carry milk and supplies.
At the beginning of the screening process, inform the TSA officer that you are carrying expressed milk or related accessories. Separate them from other liquids, gels, and aerosols limited to 3.4 oz (100 mL) each, subject to TSA's Liquids Rule.
Expressed milk and related accessories are typically screened by x-ray. X-rayed milk is safe to feed your child.
Inform the TSA officer if you do not want your breast milk to be x-rayed or opened. TSA will take additional steps to clear the liquid. You or the traveling guardian will undergo additional screening procedures. These include Advanced Imaging Technology screening and additional/enhanced screening of other carry-on items.
When traveling with expressed milk and related supplies, give yourself extra time to get through the airport security checkpoints. Having a printed copy of the TSA regulations for expressed milk may help the screening process.
For more information on breastfeeding and international travel visit CDC's Yellow Book (Section 7).
Getting back to your breastfeeding routine after traveling
If your milk supply decreases while you are away from your breastfeeding child, you can continue breastfeeding when you return. In most cases, your milk supply will return to normal after several days.
Sometimes, during long separations, babies adapted to using a bottle or cup may find it difficult to return to breastfeeding. If you have breastfeeding challenges after reuniting with your baby, get support from a lactation support provider.