Picture this, you're sitting in the middle seat of a fully-booked plane minding your business when suddenly, you hear baby cries emanating from behind. It brings up that mental image; anytime I am on a plane - I always hope there are no babies seated nearby me because let's be honest: flying is stressful enough without adding crying infants or their stressed-out mothers to the mix.
As incredible as it might seem for those who may have flown before becoming parents, traveling with an infant demands just about everything out of us human beings. Including but not limited to accessibly-sitting locations and breastfeeding-friendly environments - which means stressing over whether our precious little one's carefully-pumped breast milk will last long enough during travel time can be nerve-wracking. Add that worry onto making sure the milk stays frozen throughout its travels? Talk about anxiety-inducing!
Thankfully though, fellow experienced moms like myself know easy ways around this pre-vacation disturbance! Here are several tips and tricks new mothers intending to fly should consider:
Tip 1: Get yourself acquainted with TSA guidelines
Flying has become increasingly strict in terms of rules and regulations following terror acts against airlines worldwide increasing aircraft security threats especially if individuals want to bring fluid ounces onboard planes. Still, all nursing care providers must identify TSA requirements regarding breast milk before choosing any available travelling options such as air transport mode.
Here’s what the Transport Security Administration (TSA) says about traveling with frozen breast milk:
- “Breastmilk is in liquid form unless freezer packs freeze/liquefy egg ...”
- “The standard liquid rule does not apply… Only small food packages labeled ice or blue packets are added appropriately..."
- Etc.
Review these restrictions online through TSA site pages ahead of anyone heading for departure point so familiarization can prevent stress from arising at checkpoints.
Tip 2: Label all breast milk containers
Nursing mothers who want to keep their frozen milk bags intact during travel must label every bag with dates, attachment times and the mother’s name. Also ensure that all labelled items are handed over ahead of departure point to the custom gate agents if need be too.
Within each bag, add pre-printed labels indicating when the contents were expressed so anyone on-site can track any potential expiry problems if they need addressing. Once you have labeled everything properly then put aside away until time comes for packing up things upon leaving home while also making sure excess ice backup is available for emergencies just in case.
Tip 3: Use coolers and dry ice
If a nursing individual intends flying out within several hours or even days after expressing breastmilk it’s important to pack some portable freezer-cold storage equipment like tiny-coolers, regular-size small foodstuff containers etc., immediately before taking off since these ensure everything remains cold including without power source at hand. As an alternative consider utilizing dry-ice when preparing cooler packs - suggest no more than five pound's worth (use protective gloves) as airlines restrict amount allowed aboard airplanes. Hence, recommended coolant usage is best discussed explicitly with TSA guidelines ahead of travelling season initiation this year.
Tip 4: Communicate your baby needs beforehand
Liaising effectively with airline customer service members should always be actively considered by individuals flying whilst carrying restricted-reusable luggage stuff such as refrigerated mini-freezers-storage units that require electrical outlet plug-ins during flights because often needs may conflict with typical amenities found onboard airplane configurations Hence let them know about special infrastructure requirements way in advance before flight arrangements get finalized; talk through what support capabilities are installed by crew teams' members regarding transporting such gear into planes safely securely whatever fuels demand required equipping according product design certifications approval standards allows pursuance agreement options.
Tip 5: Pack extra
Lastly, expect the unexpected when traveling with an infant. Always plan for a few more milk bags than you anticipate using whilst on your adventures since delays can be inevitable due to unplanned weather incidents or unexpected lingering in unfamiliar locations experiencing unforeseen activities. Thus being overly prepared seems like a smart idea when it comes breastmilk storage stocking giving nursing moms peace mind handling air travel without worry knowing appropriate reliable support system placed nearby just a phone call away.
Fridge to Plane Made Easy!
I hope that sharing these tips helps alleviate some of the stressors you may encounter while travelling with frozen breast milk! It may seem daunting initially, but really all mothers need are proper guidelines and care designed exclusively for them so they feel confident leaving their homes prepared adequately equipped having ample backup provisions available which guarantees peace tranquility throughout every journey they decide undertake no matter far-reaching remoteness entailed visiting distant relatives abroad plane journeys around-the-world adventures vacationing sun-soaked beach locales rocky mountain landscapes historic site landmarks everywhere else in-between!