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Dear Lactation Consultant:
I will be flying several times in the next few months for business and would like to know if I can pump on board planes and also, if I can carry pumped milk with me on the planes. I really do not want to have to toss any of my very precious milk.
Thank you for an answer.
Elana Krauss
Evanston, IL
Dear Elana:
IThe Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations regarding transporting breast milk changed in 2007 and were recently modified again this summer. While it is subject to inspection, you should have no difficulty getting it through security. I would recommend that you make a copy of the TSA policy printed with this answer and carry it with you just in case anyone questions you.
(You can read about the 2007 TSA regulation changes HERE, and see the 2008 revised regulations HERE.)
Unfortunately, when it comes to pumping in airports and on planes, that’s a very different story. The TSA has no regulations to cover this and most airlines/airports have no policies of their own. You might want to contact the airline in advance of your travel to see if they will accommodate you. I had a client who recently was able to go to the first class area in the airport to pump while waiting for her delayed flight. Courtesy of American Airlines.
Pumping on a full flight is never fun or easy, but when necessary, make sure you have the appropriate items to make pumping easier. These should include a battery pack and lots of extra batteries for your pump, a concealing cover-up for nosy neighbors, a hands-free bustier and lots of extra bags/bottles.
You might want to consider taking Fenugreek just in case your supply in effected by being away from baby. I usually recommend taking 3 capsules 3 times a day with food, but if necessary you can increase to 4 or even 5 , 3 times a day. You might be gassy the first 24 hours but that usually stops, and the only side affect after that is the delightful scent of maple syrup in your urine and body odor and that isn’t really that bad.
In your hotel, you want a fridge in your room to store any milk as well. Blue ice that you can keep frozen for traveling and arrangements for a courier to pick up and deliver home any milk you have pumped once you arrive at your destination; that might be expensive, but if you will be gone more than a few days it is the best way to guarantee saving the liquid gold.
Oh, and don’t forget to take lots of photos of your baby that you can look at while pumping.
I hope I haven’t forgotten anything. I know traveling without your baby for business will not be easy. Relax in the evenings with only one glass of wine or beer (no hard alcohol) and make the best of it.
--Leslye
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