How much breastmilk can you fly with?
Asked by: Alexie Mayer | Last update: January 6, 2026Score: 5/5 (41 votes)
Checked Bags: Yes Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag.
How much breast milk can you carry-on a plane?
Parents who are Rying (with or without their child) can bring breast milk in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters onto the plane in their carry-on, as long as they declare it for inspection at the security checkpoint. The TSA Security OScers will examine your containers.
Does TSA check breast milk?
For ease of screening, inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying breast milk in excess of 3.4 ounces in your carry-on bag. Also, be sure to remove it from your bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. Typically, these liquids are screened by X-ray.
What is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?
The Centers for Disease Control recently updated their recommendations on breast milk storage. Previously, many people followed the 5-5-5 rule: storing breast milk for five hours at room temperature, five days in the refrigerator, and five months in the freezer.
How much baby milk can I fly with?
Breast milk can be brought in hand luggage in containers of up to 2000ml (even if you're travelling without your baby), and you can also bring formula milk, cow's milk, soya milk, sterilised water, baby food and cooling gel packs, but your baby must be travelling with you.
How to Take Breast Milk Through Airport Security
How can I fly with a lot of breast milk?
Inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in excess of 3.4 ounces. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from your other belongings.
Can you bring baby milk through airport security?
Screening will never include placing anything into the medically necessary liquid. TSA X-ray machines do not adversely affect food or medicines. However, if you do not want the formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) to be X-rayed or opened, please inform the TSA officer.
What is the 120 pumping rule?
The 120-minute rule is a helpful guideline for exclusive pumpers. It suggests spending at least 120 minutes (or 2 hours) each day pumping. How you divide that time depends on your baby's age. For example, with a newborn, you might spread it across eight 15-minute sessions throughout the day.
How to transport breast milk?
Expressed breast milk may be stored and transported in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. Or the milk can be frozen in dry ice following these safety precautions. Once breast milk is cooled, keep it cool until it is used.
Can babies drink cold breast milk?
Breast milk does not need to be warmed. It can be served room temperature or cold. If you decide to warm the breast milk, here are some tips: Keep the container sealed.
Do I need a birth certificate to fly with my baby?
Infants need proof of age documentation (An original or a copy of their birth certificate or passport; electronic versions of these items, like screenshots or phone images, are not accepted.) You will need their boarding pass if you purchase a seat for your infant or toddler.
How to carry breast milk while travelling on a plane?
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.
How much water is allowed on a plane for a baby?
When traveling with baby bottles, however, you can bring more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) of milk or water for your baby, and their bottle or milk does not need to fit in the standard quart-sized clear plastic bag.
Does breastmilk bag count as carry-on?
Your pump bag is a medical device, so it doesn't count as baggage. If you're storing milk within your pump bag, no worries. A separate cooler bag will count as a carry on.
How to bring a bottle of breastmilk on the go?
Another option is to bring along a portable bottle warmer. These devices usually run on batteries and can be used to heat milk quickly. Finally, you can also pack some frozen breastmilk cubes in a cooler. These can then be thawed and used as needed.
Is a diaper bag considered a carry-on?
Diaper bags are typically exempt from carry-on limits. They are often considered an additional personal item, allowing parents to bring essential baby supplies without counting towards the standard carry-on allowance set by airlines.
How much breast milk can I bring on a plane?
Liquid Formula, Breast Milk, Toddler Drinks, and Baby/Toddler food (to include puree pouches) Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag.
How to pack a breast pump for a flight?
If you're traveling with a breast pump, it may be carried on and stowed under your seat as a personal carry-on item.
How to keep breastmilk cold while flying?
If you don't need to access the breast milk you're traveling with during your flight, you can always check your breast milk in a small insulated cooler with frozen ice packs. The storage compartments in planes stay quite cool, so your breast milk will be fine for the duration of a domestic flight.
What is the 240 minute rule for breastfeeding?
In our opinion, The 240-minute rule™ is a best practice to establishing and maintaining a supply as well as potentially creating an oversupply. This means that you should pump at least every 3 hours for 30 minutes for the first 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, you should reassess based on your breastfeeding goals.
Can I go 8 hours without pumping at night?
Avoid going longer than 5-6 hours without pumping during the first few months. naturally wake (to go to the bathroom or because your breasts are uncomfortably full) than if you set an alarm to wake for pumping. pumping session (increasing frequency even if milk is not removed thoroughly) is helpful.
Why should you not pump more than 30 minutes?
This time-span norm is in part due to the notion that more prolonged pumping will damage breast tissue, the fact that some pumps have built-in timers that stop the pump at 30 minutes, and because babies tend to eat for about 30 minutes between both breasts.
How many bottles of baby milk can I take on a plane?
If you're formula feeding while travelling, you can take as many bottles as you need through the airport (within reason) as the restrictions on liquids doesn't apply to baby food.
Do I need to bring a birth certificate for my child to fly?
You may have to present proof of age like a birth certificate for any children under the age of 18. Families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate. Only 1 carry-on diaper bag per child is allowed.
How to protect baby ears during flight?
Airplane cabin noise hovers around 100 decibels, and is even louder during takeoff. Using cotton balls, small earplugs, or noise-canceling headphones may help to decrease the decibel level your baby is exposed to, and also make it easier for them to sleep or relax.