baby travel whole milk

How to Travel With Whole Milk for Baby: The Ultimate Guide

How to Travel With Whole Milk for Baby

Traveling with a baby can be a challenge, but it’s definitely doable. One of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to feed your baby while you’re on the go. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll need to find a way to pump and store your milk. If you’re formula-feeding, you’ll need to pack enough formula for your trip. And if you’re giving your baby whole milk, you’ll need to find a way to keep it cold and fresh.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to travel with whole milk for baby. We’ll cover everything from packing your milk to keeping it cold to feeding your baby on the go. So if you’re planning a trip with your little one, read on for all the information you need!

Whole milk is an important part of a baby’s diet, providing them with essential nutrients for growth and development. However, traveling with whole milk can be tricky, as it can easily spoil if not properly stored.

This guide will provide you with tips on how to travel with whole milk for baby, so that you can keep your little one healthy and happy on the go.

How to Choose the Right Whole Milk for Travel

When choosing whole milk for travel, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you need to make sure that the milk is fresh. Look for milk that has been pasteurized and homogenized, and that has a sell-by date that is at least a few days away.

You also need to make sure that the milk is the right size for your trip. If you are only going to be gone for a day or two, you can buy a small carton of milk. However, if you are going to be gone for longer, you may want to buy a larger container of milk, such as a half-gallon or gallon jug.

Finally, you need to decide how you are going to store the milk. If you are going to be traveling by car, you can simply put the milk in a cooler. However, if you are going to be traveling by plane, you will need to pack the milk in a checked bag.

How to Store Whole Milk for Travel

Once you have chosen the right whole milk for travel, you need to store it properly. The best way to store whole milk is in a cooler. If you are going to be traveling by car, you can simply put the milk in a cooler with some ice packs. However, if you are going to be traveling by plane, you will need to pack the milk in a checked bag.

When packing the milk in a cooler, make sure that the milk is completely sealed. You can do this by putting the milk in a plastic bag and then sealing the bag tightly. You should also make sure that the milk is not exposed to direct sunlight or heat.

If you are packing the milk in a checked bag, you should make sure that the bag is insulated. You can do this by lining the bag with a few layers of newspaper or bubble wrap. You should also make sure that the bag is closed tightly.

How to Transport Whole Milk for Travel

When transporting whole milk for travel, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you need to make sure that the milk is properly sealed. You can do this by putting the milk in a plastic bag and then sealing the bag tightly. You should also make sure that the milk is not exposed to direct sunlight or heat.

Second, you need to make sure that the milk is not shaken or jostled during transport. This can cause the milk to become separated, which can make it difficult to drink.

Finally, you need to make sure that the milk is not exposed to extreme temperatures. This can cause the milk to spoil.

How to Use Whole Milk for Travel

Once you have arrived at your destination, you can use whole milk for a variety of purposes. You can use it to make formula for your baby, or you can use it to make cereal, oatmeal, or other food items. You can also use whole milk to make smoothies, milkshakes, or other drinks.

When using whole milk for travel, it is important to make sure that the milk is properly stored and used. You should also make sure that the milk is not exposed to direct sunlight or heat.

Whole milk is an important part of a baby’s diet, and it can be difficult to travel with whole milk. However, by following these tips, you can easily and safely travel with whole milk for your baby.

How To Travel With Whole Milk For Baby?

When traveling with a baby, it is important to make sure that they have access to the food and drinks they need. This can be especially challenging when it comes to whole milk, as it is not always easy to find in airports or other travel destinations. However, there are a few things you can do to make sure that your baby has access to whole milk while you are traveling.

1. Pack enough milk for the trip. The best way to ensure that your baby has enough whole milk while you are traveling is to pack enough for the entire trip. This may mean packing a few extra cartons of milk, or it may mean freezing some milk ahead of time and thawing it as needed. If you are traveling by plane, you can pack whole milk in your carry-on luggage. However, if you are traveling by car, you can pack whole milk in your checked luggage.

2. Bring a cooler or insulated bag. If you are traveling with a lot of whole milk, it is important to keep it cold. The best way to do this is to bring a cooler or insulated bag. You can fill the cooler with ice packs or frozen water bottles to keep the milk cold. If you are traveling by plane, you can also pack a cooler in your checked luggage.

3. Find a place to store the milk. Once you arrive at your destination, you will need to find a place to store the milk. If you are staying in a hotel, you can usually store the milk in the refrigerator. If you are staying in a rental property, you may need to find a grocery store or convenience store that sells whole milk. You can also store the milk in a cooler in your car.

4. Be aware of the temperature of the milk. Whole milk should be kept at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. If the milk gets too warm, it can spoil. Be sure to check the temperature of the milk regularly, especially if you are traveling in hot weather.

5. Use a travel bottle for the milk. When you are feeding your baby whole milk while you are traveling, it is best to use a travel bottle. This will help to prevent spills and keep the milk clean. You can also find travel bottles that have built-in heaters or coolers, which can help to keep the milk at the right temperature.

6. Be patient. Traveling with a baby can be challenging, and feeding your baby whole milk while you are traveling can add to the challenge. Be patient and don’t get discouraged if things don’t go according to plan. The most important thing is to make sure that your baby is happy and healthy.

What to Do If You Can’t Find Whole Milk While Traveling?

If you are unable to find whole milk while you are traveling, there are a few things you can do.

1. Use an alternative milk. If you are unable to find whole milk, you can use an alternative milk such as soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk. These milks are all fortified with vitamins and minerals, so they can provide your baby with the nutrients they need.

2. Dilute formula with water. If you are using formula, you can dilute it with water to make it last longer. This will reduce the amount of formula you need to pack, and it will also help to keep the formula cool.

3. Bring your own milk. If you are traveling by car, you can bring your own milk in a cooler. This will ensure that you have access to whole milk for your baby, even if you are unable to find it at your destination.

4. Order whole milk online. If you are unable to find whole milk at a grocery store or convenience store, you can order it online. This may be a more expensive option, but it will ensure that you have access to whole milk for your baby.

5. Ask for help. If you are unable to find whole milk or an alternative milk, you can ask for help from the hotel staff or the staff at a grocery store or convenience store. They may be able to help you find a milk that your baby can drink.

Traveling with a baby can be challenging, but it is important to make sure that your baby has access to the food and drinks they need. By following these tips, you can make sure that your baby has plenty of whole milk while you are traveling.

How do I store whole milk for my baby when traveling?

There are a few different ways to store whole milk for your baby when traveling. You can:

• Refrigerate the milk. This is the most common way to store milk for travel. Simply put the milk in a cooler or insulated bag and keep it cold. Be sure to use milk that has been refrigerated within the past two days.
• Freeze the milk. If you will be traveling for more than two days, you can freeze the milk. Freeze the milk in small, single-serving containers so that you can thaw only as much as you need at a time. Be sure to thaw the milk in the refrigerator overnight before feeding it to your baby.
• Use a milk warmer. If you are traveling with a baby who is used to drinking warm milk, you can use a milk warmer to heat the milk to the desired temperature. Be sure to only heat the milk until it is lukewarm, and never to boil it.

How long can I store whole milk for my baby when traveling?

The amount of time that you can store whole milk for your baby when traveling depends on how you are storing it.

• Refrigerated milk: Milk that has been refrigerated can be stored for up to two days.
• Frozen milk: Milk that has been frozen can be stored for up to six months.

It is important to note that the shelf life of milk decreases the longer it is stored. Therefore, it is best to use milk that has been stored for the shortest amount of time possible.

What should I do if I need to travel with whole milk for my baby and I don’t have access to a refrigerator or freezer?

If you need to travel with whole milk for your baby and you don’t have access to a refrigerator or freezer, you can use a cooler or insulated bag to keep the milk cold. Be sure to pack the milk in ice or cold packs to help keep it cool. You can also use a milk warmer to heat the milk to the desired temperature.

It is important to note that milk that has been stored in a cooler or insulated bag will not last as long as milk that has been refrigerated or frozen. Therefore, it is best to use milk that has been stored for the shortest amount of time possible.

What are the signs that milk has gone bad?

There are a few signs that milk has gone bad. These include:

• The milk has a sour smell.
• The milk has a curdled appearance.
• The milk has a thick, sticky texture.

If you notice any of these signs, it is best to throw the milk away and use a fresh bottle.

How can I make sure that my baby is getting enough milk when traveling?

There are a few things you can do to make sure that your baby is getting enough milk when traveling. These include:

• Plan ahead. Make sure to pack enough milk for your baby’s entire trip. You may also want to pack some extra milk in case of delays or emergencies.
• Feed your baby frequently. Babies need to eat frequently, especially when they are traveling. Be sure to feed your baby every 2-3 hours, even if they are not showing signs of hunger.
• Offer your baby both breast milk and formula. If you are breastfeeding, you can pump and store your milk so that your baby can have breast milk even when you are not around. You can also offer your baby formula if you are not able to breastfeed.
• Be patient. Traveling with a baby can be challenging, but it is important to be patient and flexible. If your baby is fussy or not eating as much as usual, don’t worry. Just keep offering your baby milk and they will eventually get enough to eat.

there are a few things to keep in mind when traveling with whole milk for your baby. First, make sure to pack enough milk for the duration of your trip. Second, consider using a cooler or insulated bag to keep the milk cold. Third, if you are flying, be sure to check the airline’s policy on bringing liquids on board. Finally, if you are concerned about the safety of the milk, you can always boil it before giving it to your baby.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your baby has access to safe and nutritious milk while you are traveling.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

• Pack enough milk for the duration of your trip.
• Use a cooler or insulated bag to keep the milk cold.
• Check the airline’s policy on bringing liquids on board.
• Boil the milk before giving it to your baby if you are concerned about safety.

Author Profile

Latest entries

• January 19, 2024 Hiking How to Lace Hiking Boots for a Perfect Fit
• January 19, 2024 Camping How to Dispose of Camping Propane Tanks the Right Way
• January 19, 2024 Traveling Information Is Buffalo Still Under Travel Ban? (Updated for 2023)
• January 19, 2024 Cruise/Cruising Which Carnival Cruise Is Best for Families?

How To Travel With Whole Milk For Baby

Sharing is caring!

When I became a new mom, one of my biggest concerns was how to travel with whole milk for my baby. As someone who loves traveling and exploring new places, the thought of being stuck at home just because I had a baby made me feel claustrophobic.

But with a little bit of research and planning, I learned that it is possible to travel with your baby even if they need fresh whole milk.

In this article, I will share my experience and tips on how to travel with whole milk for your baby. Whether you are going on a road trip, taking a flight or staying at a hotel, there are ways to ensure that your baby has access to fresh whole milk while you are away from home.

So pack your bags and get ready for some adventure because traveling with your little one is possible!

Table of Contents

Understand the Airline Regulations for Traveling with Milk

You’ll want to know the airline rules for carrying your little one’s favorite beverage on board. It’s important to note that TSA regulations allow you to bring breast milk, formula, and juice in quantities larger than 3.4 ounces through security checkpoints, but you must inform the officer at the checkpoint of these liquids.

When it comes to traveling with whole milk for your baby, it can be a bit trickier. Some airlines allow passengers to carry-on up to 48 ounces of liquid or gel-like substances if they are for medical or special dietary needs. However, others may restrict liquids altogether or require documentation from a doctor.

To avoid any complications at the airport, I highly recommend contacting your airline prior to travel and asking about their specific policies regarding traveling with whole milk for babies. Once you have a clear understanding of their requirements, you’ll be able to plan accordingly and ensure that your little one has their favorite drink on hand throughout the trip.

When it comes to transporting your little one’s beloved whole milk during travel, choosing the right container is crucial.

Choose the Right Container for Storing the Milk

To make sure your little one’s drink stays fresh and safe, it’s important to pick the perfect receptacle for storing liquid. When choosing a container for whole milk, consider the following:

• Material: Opt for glass or BPA-free plastic containers as they’re non-toxic and won’t affect the quality of milk.
• Size: Depending on how long you’ll be traveling, choose a size that can accommodate enough milk without taking up too much space in your luggage.
• Sealability: Make sure the container has an air-tight seal to prevent any leakage during travel.
• Durability: Look for a sturdy container that can withstand bumps and knocks during transit.
• Ease of use: Choose a container with an opening wide enough for easy pouring into bottles.

When packing your baby’s milk, it’s essential to ensure it stays at the right temperature. A good way to do this is by placing the filled containers inside insulated bags with ice packs. This will help keep them cold until you reach your destination.

Remember, when traveling with whole milk, it’s crucial to choose a suitable storage container that keeps it fresh while being convenient and easy to use. With the right tools on hand, you’ll be able to offer your little one their favorite drink even while on-the-go.

Now that you’ve chosen the perfect container for storing whole milk, it’s time to learn how to prepare it correctly before heading out on your journey.

Prepare the Milk for Travel

Get your little one’s drink ready for the road ahead by properly prepping their dairy delight.

Before you leave home, make sure the milk is at room temperature by taking it out of the fridge and letting it sit for a while. If you’re in a hurry, place the bottle in warm water to speed up the process. However, don’t microwave or boil the milk as this can destroy essential nutrients and cause hotspots.

Once the milk is at room temperature, give it a good shake to mix any cream that may have separated. It’s important to remember that whole milk tends to be thicker than formula, so check the nipple size on your baby’s bottle before pouring in the milk.

If necessary, use a spoon or funnel to transfer the liquid into smaller containers that fit better in your diaper bag or cooler.

Consider using powdered or concentrated formula if carrying whole milk becomes too much of a hassle during travel. These alternatives are easy to pack and often come with disposable bottles that don’t require refrigeration until opened. Plus, they are nutritionally balanced and safe for babies when prepared according to instructions.

Don’t let traveling with an infant stress you out – just make sure you plan ahead and choose what works best for both you and your baby!

Consider Using Powdered or Concentrated Formula

I’ve found that using powdered or concentrated formula is a convenient and reliable way to feed my baby while traveling.

Powdered formula is easy to store, lightweight, and can be mixed with water quickly.

Concentrated formula, on the other hand, requires less preparation time than liquid formula but still provides all the necessary nutrients.

Both options are great for parents who want to ensure their baby gets proper nutrition while on the go.

Advantages of Powdered Formula

Using powdered formula can be a convenient and reliable option for nourishing your little one while you’re on the go. Unlike whole milk, it doesn’t require refrigeration, making it easy to transport and store for later use. Plus, most brands offer pre-measured packets that make preparing a bottle quick and hassle-free.

Another advantage of powdered formula is its long shelf life. While whole milk only lasts a few hours at room temperature, properly stored powdered formula can last up to a month or more. This means you can stock up before your trip and have enough supply for several days without worrying about spoilage.

Overall, using powdered formula provides peace of mind knowing that your baby’s nutritional needs are being met while allowing you the freedom to explore new places without having to constantly worry about refrigeration or finding fresh milk sources.

When considering other options like concentrated formula, there are also benefits to keep in mind.

Advantages of Concentrated Formula

If you’re looking for a formula option that’s easy to prepare and has a longer shelf life than liquid formulas, concentrated formula may be worth considering. Concentrated formula comes in liquid form and can be mixed with an equal amount of water before feeding your baby. It’s also more cost-effective than ready-to-feed liquid formulas since it doesn’t require as much packaging or shipping.

One benefit of using concentrated formula is that it’s less likely to cause constipation in babies compared to powdered formulas. This is because the nutrients are already partially broken down in the liquid form, making them easier for babies to digest. Additionally, concentrated formula typically doesn’t have any added sugars or preservatives, making it a healthier option for your little one.

When packing for travel, consider bringing along some pre-measured containers of concentrated formula for ease and convenience. With this option, you won’t have to worry about running out of milk or finding a store that carries your preferred brand at your destination.

Locate Stores or Pharmacies at Your Destination

You’ll be relieved to know that once you arrive at your destination, there are likely stores or pharmacies nearby where you can easily find what you need.

Before leaving home, research the area and make a list of stores that carry whole milk for babies. You may also want to ask locals or hotel staff for recommendations.

When searching for stores or pharmacies, keep in mind that different countries have varying regulations regarding baby formula and dairy products. Make sure to read labels carefully and check expiration dates before purchasing any items. If possible, stick with brands and products that you trust from back home.

Another option is to bring powdered whole milk or concentrated formula with you on your trip. These types of formulas tend to be more readily available worldwide and are easier to transport than liquid milk. However, if your baby has a preference for fresh whole milk, locating a store or pharmacy will ensure their needs are met during your travels.

To make things even easier when traveling with whole milk for your baby, consider bringing a thermos of hot water with you. This way, you can quickly warm up the milk whenever needed without having to search for hot water sources while out and about.

With these tips in mind, traveling with whole milk for your baby should be a breeze!

Bring a Thermos of Hot Water

Make your life easier on the go by packing a thermos of hot water for quick and convenient milk preparation. With a baby in tow, you never know when hunger strikes, and having warm milk readily available can save you from a lot of stress. Here are three reasons why bringing a thermos of hot water is essential:

It saves time: Instead of searching for a microwave or boiling water in an unfamiliar place, you can simply pour hot water from your thermos into the baby bottle to make milk within seconds.

It keeps milk fresh: When traveling with whole milk for babies, it’s crucial to keep it at the right temperature. A thermos keeps the hot water at the perfect temperature, which helps maintain the freshness and nutrients of the milk.

It reduces waste: With a thermos, you don’t have to worry about wasting leftover boiled water or heating up more than necessary. You can control how much hot water you need by filling up your thermos accordingly.

In summary, packing a thermos of hot water is an excellent travel hack that makes feeding your little one on-the-go fuss-free and easy. However, before feeding your child with warm milk prepared using this technique, it’s essential to check its temperature first.

Check out the next section to learn about how to do this effectively without risking any harm to your baby’s delicate digestive system.

Check the Temperature of the Milk Before Feeding

Before feeding your little one, make sure to check the warmth of their milk as it’s crucial for ensuring their delicate digestive system remains healthy and happy. The temperature should be just right – not too hot or too cold, but lukewarm. It’s best to use a thermometer to check the temperature before feeding your baby.

When traveling with whole milk for your baby, it’s important to remember that the milk may have changed temperature during transport. If you’ve brought a thermos of hot water, you can warm up the milk by placing the bottle in the water until it reaches a suitable temperature. Once heated, don’t forget to give the bottle a quick shake to distribute any hot spots that may have formed.

Before giving your baby their milk, always double-check its temperature by testing a few drops on your wrist or inner elbow. This area is sensitive enough to detect if the liquid is too hot or cold for your little one’s comfort. Remember that babies have different preferences when it comes to milk temperatures; some like it warmer than others. By checking beforehand, you’ll be able to adjust accordingly and provide them with a comfortable feeding experience.

To ensure that your baby stays healthy while traveling with whole milk, practice good hygiene when handling the bottles and equipment used for preparation. Wash everything thoroughly with soap and water before each use and avoid touching anything unnecessary during preparation. This will help prevent any contamination that could harm your child’s health later on.

Practice Good Hygiene When Handling the Milk

Maintaining proper hygiene is essential for ensuring that your little one stays healthy and happy while enjoying their nourishing drink. When handling whole milk for your baby, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water before touching the bottle or pump.

Also, make sure that the surface where you will be preparing the milk is clean and sanitized. When pouring the milk into a bottle or storage container, avoid touching any part of the container with your fingers to prevent contamination. Instead, use a clean spatula or spoon to transfer the milk.

After each feeding session, clean the bottles and pump parts immediately with hot soapy water and rinse them well before sterilizing them in boiling water or a sterilizer machine. Remember that bacteria can grow quickly in whole milk, especially when it’s left at room temperature for too long.

So, if you’re traveling with whole milk for your baby, try to keep it cold at all times by storing it in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs. Also, don’t forget to discard any leftover milk that has been sitting out for more than two hours.

With these simple hygiene practices in place, you can ensure that your little one stays healthy and happy while on-the-go!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i bring frozen breast milk on a flight.

As a parent who’s traveled with breast milk, I can say you can absolutely bring frozen breast milk on a flight. TSA allows breast milk to be transported in carry-on and checked bags. I recommend packing milk in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs or dry ice to keep it frozen.

It’s important to note that TSA doesn’t limit the amount of breast milk you can bring, but check with your airline before traveling. They may have their own restrictions or guidelines.

Traveling with frozen breast milk is doable and makes it possible for moms to continue providing nourishment for their little ones even when away from home. Remember: "Where there’s a will, there’s a way." With a little planning and preparation, moms can ensure their baby’s feeding needs are met, even on the go.

How long can I store whole milk for baby in a thermos?

I recently discovered that storing whole milk for my baby in a thermos is an excellent way to keep it fresh and warm. Thermoses are designed to keep liquids at a consistent temperature for extended periods, which is perfect when traveling or running errands with my little one.

To ensure maximum freshness and safety, I always use a clean and sanitized thermos and make sure the milk is stored at the appropriate temperature. It’s essential to remember that whole milk can only be stored for up to 4 hours in a thermos before it needs to be discarded, so I try to plan accordingly.

Overall, using a thermos has made traveling with my baby much easier and more efficient, allowing us both the freedom we need while still providing nourishing milk on-the-go.

Is it safe to mix powdered formula with whole milk for baby?

Mixing powdered formula with whole milk for baby is not safe. While it may seem like a convenient solution, it can actually be harmful to your little one’s health.

Powdered formula and whole milk have different nutrient compositions and introducing them together can upset the balance of nutrients that your baby needs. Additionally, powdered formula is specially formulated to meet your baby’s nutritional requirements while whole milk is not.

This means that mixing the two could lead to an imbalance in vitamins and minerals which can result in various health issues such as constipation, diarrhea, or even malnutrition.

To ensure your baby gets all the nutrients they need, it’s best to stick to either powdered formula or whole milk exclusively, depending on their age and dietary requirements.

Are there any restrictions on the amount of milk I can bring on a flight?

When it comes to traveling with milk, whether for your baby or yourself, there are definitely restrictions on the amount you can bring on a flight.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) limits liquid containers to 3.4 ounces or less per item, and they must all fit into a clear quart-sized bag. This includes milk, so if you want to bring more than that for your baby’s needs during the flight, you’ll need to either purchase it after passing through security or store it in checked luggage.

It’s important to plan ahead and be aware of these restrictions before heading to the airport to avoid any issues at security checkpoints and ensure a smooth travel experience.

What should I do if the milk I brought for my baby is too cold or too hot?

So you’ve brought milk for your baby on your travels, but it’s too cold or too hot. Don’t worry, I’ve been there!

First of all, let’s investigate a common theory: placing the milk in warm water to heat it up or in cold water to cool it down. While this can work, it’s important to note that the temperature change may not be evenly distributed throughout the bottle. Instead, try pouring some of the milk into a separate container and warming or cooling that instead.

And if you don’t have access to hot or cold water, consider investing in a portable bottle warmer or cooler. These devices can make all the difference when traveling with a little one and wanting to maintain their routine as much as possible. Trust me, I know how freeing it is to have options and solutions while on-the-go with my baby!

Overall, traveling with whole milk for my baby was a bit nerve-wracking, but by following some simple steps and being prepared, it ended up being manageable.

It’s important to understand the airline regulations for carrying liquids and to choose the right container for storing the milk. I found that using an insulated bottle bag was helpful in keeping the milk at a consistent temperature.

Another tip is to consider using powdered or concentrated formula instead of whole milk if possible. This can make travel easier as it eliminates the need for refrigeration.

Lastly, always practice good hygiene when handling the milk and check its temperature before feeding your baby. With these tips in mind, you can confidently travel with your little one while ensuring their nutritional needs are met.

Meet Veronica Williams, a spirited adventurer in her twenties, has already explored more than 15 countries, fueling her insatiable wanderlust. Her articles are a testament to her thirst for discovery and her desire to inspire others to see the world. As Veronica expands her travel repertoire, she shares her personal triumphs, challenges, and transformative experiences. Join her as she paints vivid pictures of breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and awe-inspiring encounters.

Related Posts

How to travel with a pug on a plane, how to travel with cheese on airplane.

Complete Guide To Traveling With Whole Milk For Baby

• Last updated Jun 06, 2024
• Difficulty Advanced

• Category Travel

Traveling with a baby can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to ensuring they have access to the essentials. For parents who choose to feed their little ones whole milk, the thought of being on the road or in the air without a readily available supply can be enough to induce anxiety. However, with the right planning and preparation, traveling with whole milk for baby doesn't have to be a complicated process. In this complete guide, we will explore all the tips and tricks to help you navigate your journey with ease, ensuring that your baby stays nourished and content throughout your travels.

What You'll Learn

Proper storage methods for whole milk, tips for traveling with whole milk for baby, equipment needed for transporting whole milk, keeping whole milk fresh and safe during travel.

Traveling with a baby can be challenging, especially when it comes to ensuring they have access to fresh whole milk. As a parent, you want to provide your little one with the best nutrition, and that includes making sure their milk is stored and transported correctly. In this article, we will discuss the proper storage methods for whole milk while traveling, so you can have peace of mind knowing your baby's milk is safe and ready to consume.

• Use a Insulated Cooler: One of the most important things you can do when traveling with whole milk is to invest in a high-quality insulated cooler. This will help maintain the milk's temperature and prevent it from spoiling. Look for a cooler specifically designed for baby bottles with built-in insulation layers. It's also a good idea to choose a cooler that has an ice pack compartment for added cooling.
• Pre-cool the Cooler: Before packing your whole milk into the cooler, make sure it is pre-cooled to the appropriate temperature. This will help maintain the temperature of the milk for an extended period. You can pre-cool the cooler by placing ice packs or frozen water bottles inside for a few hours before packing your milk.
• Freeze the Milk: If you have access to a freezer before your trip, it's a good idea to freeze your whole milk beforehand. Freezing the milk will help it stay fresh for a longer duration and reduce the risk of spoilage. Remember to leave sufficient headspace in the container to allow for expansion as the milk freezes.
• Use Sealed Containers: When storing whole milk for transportation, use sealed containers that are specifically designed for storing breast milk or baby formula. These containers are typically made of BPA-free plastic and come with tight-fitting lids to prevent leakage and maintain freshness. Avoid using regular plastic water bottles or open cups, as they may not provide adequate protection.
• Pack the Cooler Properly: When packing your insulated cooler, place the frozen milk containers or ice packs at the bottom. This will help keep the other items in the cooler chilled. Next, arrange the sealed containers of whole milk on top of the frozen items. Make sure to seal the cooler tightly to prevent any warm air from entering.
• Monitor the Temperature: It's crucial to monitor the temperature inside the cooler while traveling. Use a thermometer specifically designed for coolers to ensure that the milk stays within the safe temperature range of 32-39°F (0-4°C). If the temperature rises above this range, the milk may spoil, and it's best to discard it.
• Limit Exposure to Light and Heat: Excessive exposure to light and heat can compromise the quality of whole milk. When traveling, try to keep the cooler away from direct sunlight or any other sources of heat. If you are using a car, consider placing the cooler in the trunk where it's cooler and less exposed to sunlight.

By following these proper storage methods for whole milk while traveling, you can ensure that your baby gets the best nutrition without compromising their health. Remember to always check the milk for signs of spoilage, such as a sour smell or curdled appearance, before feeding it to your little one. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your baby's health and well-being.

Is Traveling by Boat Safe During Pregnancy?

You may want to see also

As a parent, traveling with a baby can be a challenging task, especially if your little one is still consuming whole milk. Making sure that your baby has access to their preferred milk while on the go can help keep them calm and happy. If you're unsure how to travel with whole milk for your baby, don't worry! We've got you covered with some helpful tips.

• Check Travel Restrictions: Before you start packing whole milk for your baby, always check the travel restrictions of the mode of transportation you'll be using. Airlines, for example, may have specific rules regarding carrying liquids, especially in bulk quantities. Ensure your milk containers comply with these restrictions to avoid any hassles at the security checkpoints.
• Choose the Right Containers: When traveling with whole milk, it's essential to choose the right containers to ensure the milk stays fresh and uncontaminated throughout your journey. Opt for travel-friendly, air-tight containers that are specifically designed for storing liquids. These containers should be leak-proof and seal tightly to prevent any spills or spoilage.
• Keep It Cold: Maintaining the proper temperature of whole milk is crucial to retain its freshness and prevent the growth of bacteria. Depending on the duration of your trip, you may need to consider using insulated containers or coolers to keep the milk cold. Pre-chilling the containers with ice packs or frozen gel packs can help maintain the desired temperature for an extended period.
• Pack in Small Portions: Instead of carrying a large container of whole milk, it's advisable to pack it in smaller portions. This strategy not only makes it easier to carry but also allows for selective use depending on your baby's requirements. Divide the milk into individual servings and seal them separately in appropriate containers. This also ensures that if one portion becomes contaminated or spoiled, the rest remains safe for consumption.
• Use Frozen Milk: If you're traveling for an extended period and are concerned about the milk going bad, consider using frozen whole milk. Fill safe, freezer-friendly storage bags or containers with an appropriate amount of milk and freeze them before your trip. This method not only keeps the milk fresh but also helps in keeping other food items in your cooler cold for a longer time.
• Plan for Reheating: Babies often prefer their milk warm, so it's crucial to plan for reheating if necessary. Before you leave, research the facilities available at your travel destination, such as access to a microwave or hot water. If heating options aren't readily available, you can pack a portable bottle warmer or a thermos with hot water to warm the milk when needed.
• Carry Extra Supplies: When traveling with whole milk for your baby, it's always a good idea to pack more supplies than you think you'll need. Accidents happen, and you don't want to be caught without enough milk for your baby. Pack additional containers, ice packs, and any other necessary equipment to ensure you're prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Check Milk Quality: Before feeding your baby the stored whole milk, always check the quality to ensure it is safe for consumption. Look out for any signs of spoilage, such as an off smell, curdled appearance, or unusual texture. If you notice anything suspicious, it's better to discard the milk and use an alternative source.

Traveling with whole milk for your baby doesn't have to be a worrisome experience. By following these tips, you can ensure that your baby has access to their preferred milk while on the go. Remember to plan ahead, choose the right containers, and maintain the proper temperature to keep the milk fresh and safe for your little one. Safe travels!

A Complete Guide on How to Refund Money to a Traveler on VRBO

Traveling with a baby can be a challenge, especially when it comes to transporting their milk. If your little one relies on whole milk, it's essential to ensure that you have the right equipment to keep the milk fresh and safe during your journey. Here are some key items you will need:

• Insulated Cooler: An insulated cooler is a must-have for transporting whole milk. Look for a cooler that is specifically designed for keeping liquids cold. It should have enough storage space to hold your chosen amount of milk and be easy to carry or fit into your travel bag.
• Ice Packs: Ice packs are necessary for maintaining the temperature of the milk. Freeze the ice packs ahead of time, and place them in the cooler alongside the milk bottles. Make sure to position them strategically to keep the milk evenly chilled throughout the journey.
• BPA-Free Bottles: Choose BPA-free bottles specifically designed for storing milk. These bottles are safe and will not contaminate the milk. Fill the bottles with the desired amount of whole milk, leaving some space at the top to accommodate expansion if needed.
• Bottle Sealing Caps: It's essential to seal the milk bottles properly to prevent any leaks or spills. Use bottle sealing caps that fit tightly onto the bottles to ensure a secure seal. This will also help prevent bacteria or other contaminants from entering the milk.
• Bottle Warmer: If your baby prefers warm milk, consider packing a bottle warmer. This compact and portable device will allow you to heat the milk on the go, ensuring your baby can enjoy their milk at the desired temperature.
• Disinfecting Wipes: It's crucial to keep everything clean and sanitized to maintain the milk's freshness. Pack some disinfecting wipes to clean surfaces before preparing the bottles and to wipe down any spills or leaks during your journey.
• Extra Storage Containers: In case you need to store any leftover milk, it's always a good idea to have extra storage containers on hand. Look for containers that are specifically designed for storing breast milk or formula and that are leak-proof and BPA-free.
• Plastic Bags: Bring some plastic bags to dispose of any used bottles, caps, or wipes. These bags will help to keep your travel bag clean and organized, especially if you are unable to dispose of them immediately.

When traveling with whole milk for your baby, it's crucial to prioritize safety and hygiene. By investing in the right equipment and following proper storage techniques, you can ensure that your baby's milk stays fresh and delicious throughout your journey. Always check the milk's temperature before feeding it to your little one, and discard any milk that has been left at room temperature for more than two hours. Safe travels!

Exploring the Beauty of South America: Top Travel Destinations for Women

Traveling with a baby can be challenging, especially when it comes to providing them with the necessary nutrition. If your baby is still breastfeeding, it's relatively easy to feed them on the go. However, if you have transitioned your baby to whole milk, it may seem more difficult to keep the milk fresh and safe during your travels. But fear not, because with a little bit of planning and the right tools, you can easily ensure that your baby gets their milk on time and in good condition. Here are some tips for keeping whole milk fresh and safe during travel:

• Use a reliable insulated cooler: The first step in keeping your baby's whole milk fresh during travel is to invest in a good-quality insulated cooler. Look for coolers that are specifically designed to keep food and beverages at the right temperature for an extended period of time. Make sure the cooler is clean and free from any odors before packing the milk.
• Pre-chill the milk: It's important to start with chilled whole milk. Make sure the milk is stored in the refrigerator before you leave for your trip. Ideally, the milk should be chilled to around 40°F (4°C) before you pack it in the cooler. This will help extend its freshness during travel.
• Pack the milk properly: When packing the milk in the cooler, use individual bottles or containers that are specifically designed for storing and transporting liquids. Avoid using glass bottles, as they can be easily broken during travel. Make sure the bottles are tightly sealed to prevent any spills or leaks.
• Use ice packs: To further extend the freshness of the whole milk, place ice packs or frozen gel packs in the cooler. These will help maintain the temperature inside the cooler and keep the milk cold for a longer period of time. It's a good idea to place the ice packs on top of the milk bottles to ensure even cooling.
• Keep the cooler closed: Once you have packed the whole milk and ice packs in the cooler, be mindful of keeping the cooler closed as much as possible. Opening the cooler frequently can cause the temperature inside to fluctuate, which can affect the freshness of the milk. Only open the cooler when necessary, such as when feeding your baby.
• Store the cooler in a cool place: During your travels, try to keep the cooler in a cool place, away from direct sunlight or any sources of heat. If you're traveling by car, place the cooler in the backseat or trunk, rather than in the hot trunk. If you're flying, ask the flight attendant if there is a cool area where you can store the cooler during the flight.
• Use the milk within a safe timeframe: Whole milk can safely be stored at temperatures below 40°F (4°C) for up to 4 hours. However, the exact timeframe may vary depending on the ambient temperature and the initial temperature of the milk. To ensure maximum safety and freshness, try to use the milk within 2-3 hours of leaving the refrigerator.
• Bring extra milk: It's always a good idea to bring extra milk when traveling with a baby. In case of any unexpected delays or emergencies, having extra milk on hand will ensure that your baby doesn't go hungry. Aim to bring at least one extra feeding's worth of milk.

By following these tips, you can make sure that your baby's whole milk stays fresh and safe during your travels. Remember to always prioritize your baby's well-being and adhere to proper food safety guidelines. Happy travels!

The Best Travel Outfits for Pregnant Women

Frequently asked questions.

Yes, you can travel with whole milk for your baby on an airplane. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows you to bring breast milk, formula, and juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces as long as you declare them at the security checkpoint.

When packing whole milk for travel with your baby, it is best to use a sturdy, leak-proof container. You can use small bottles or pouches specifically designed for storing milk. Make sure to label the container with your baby's name and the date the milk was expressed.

This depends on the storage conditions. If you are able to store the milk in a cooler or refrigerator during travel, it can be kept for up to 24 hours. However, if you do not have access to proper storage, it is recommended to discard the milk after 4-6 hours to ensure its safety.

Yes, you can warm whole milk for your baby while traveling. You can pack a portable bottle warmer or use hot water from a coffee shop or restaurant to warm the milk. Just make sure to test the temperature before offering it to your baby to avoid any burns.

Yes, you can use frozen whole milk for your baby when traveling. Frozen milk can be packed in an insulated cooler with ice packs to keep it cold. As long as the milk is still partially frozen when used, it is safe for consumption. Thawed milk should be used within 24 hours.

• Elani Piper Author Editor Reviewer

• Cagri Burak Author Reviewer Traveller

It is awesome. Thank you for your feedback!

We are sorry. Plesae let us know what went wrong?

We will update our content. Thank you for your feedback!

Leave a comment

Travel photos, related posts.

Adventure Awaits: Unveiling the Myth of Traveling Like in the Stories

• May 26, 2024

Verizon's Global Travel Program: Benefits and Functionality

• Sep 17, 2024

Choosing the Ideal Size of Ziploc Bags for Travel: A Complete Guide

• May 11, 2024

Exploring Macau: A 3-Day Itinerary

• Jun 17, 2024

Fixing a Baby Travel Cot: Step-by-Step Guide

• Jun 10, 2024

Can a Spouse Travel on a B2 Visa? Exploring the Options

• Mar 24, 2024

Mastering Milk Mobility: How to Travel with Whole Milk for Your Baby

Traveling with a baby can be both exciting and daunting. From packing enough diapers to ensuring their favorite toys make it into the carry-on, there’s a lot to consider. But for breastfeeding mothers, there’s an added layer of complexity when it comes to nourishing your little one while on the go. And for those who choose to exclusively feed their baby whole milk, the logistics of traveling can become even more challenging. However, fear not! With some planning and preparation, it is possible to travel with whole milk for your baby. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about traveling with whole milk for your little one. So let’s dive in and make your next trip with your baby stress-free and enjoyable!

The Importance of Traveling with Whole Milk for Baby

Traveling with a baby can be a daunting task for many parents, and one of the biggest concerns is ensuring that their little one is getting the proper nutrition. When it comes to feeding, breast milk or formula may not always be an option for various reasons such as supply issues or dietary restrictions. In these cases, whole milk can serve as an alternative source of nutrition for babies. It contains essential nutrients and fats that are necessary for a baby’s growth and development.

But why specifically whole milk? The answer lies in its composition. Unlike low-fat or skimmed milk, whole milk contains about 3.5% fat, which is crucial for a baby’s development during the first few years of life. It also has higher levels of vitamin D and calcium, which are important for strong bones and teeth. In addition, whole milk also provides energy in the form of carbohydrates and protein that helps support a child’s rapid growth.

Furthermore, traveling can disrupt a baby’s regular eating schedule and introduce new foods that their delicate digestive system may not be used to. Therefore, it is essential to continue providing a familiar source of nutrition – in this case, whole milk – to ensure the child’s health and well-being during travel.

Factors to Consider when Traveling with Whole Milk

Before hitting the road with your little one and packing some extra bottles of whole milk, there are certain factors that you should consider to ensure safe travel.

1 – Age

Depending on your baby’s age, their nutritional needs will vary as they grow. For instance, infants under six months who are exclusively breastfed should only be given breast milk or infant formula. However, if your child is older than six months, they can consume whole cow’s milk as part of their diet. As per American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, it is safe for babies to start drinking cow’s milk from six months onward as long as they are introduced to solids and have no health issues.

2 – Packing

When traveling with whole milk for your baby, it is vital to ensure that it is properly packed and insulated. Invest in an airtight bottle or container specifically designed for storing liquids, preferably with a tight cap or seal. Make sure to pack the milk in a cooler or insulated bag with ice packs to keep it at a safe temperature. It is recommended to use the milk within 4-6 hours if kept at room temperature, and up to 24 hours if kept in a cooler with ice packs.

3 – Storage

Storing whole milk while traveling can be a bit tricky, especially if you are visiting different places and do not have access to refrigerators. In such cases, consider asking for assistance from hotel staff or restaurant servers to refrigerate the milk for you.

If no refrigeration options are available, store the milk in the coolest place possible, away from heat sources such as sunlight or car heaters. If you must use previously refrigerated milk that has been out of the fridge for more than an hour, make sure to heat it before giving it to your baby.

4 – Hygiene

Traveling can expose children – and adults –to various bacteria and viruses that can cause infections. Therefore, maintaining good hygiene while on the go is essential. Thoroughly wash your hands before preparing or handling any bottles of whole milk for your baby during travel. Use hot water and soap when possible, otherwise carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Tips for Safe Traveling with Whole Milk

Now that you know about the importance of traveling with whole milk for babies and how to handle it during travel let’s look at some additional tips that can make the experience smoother and safer.

1 – Familiarize your baby with the taste beforehand

Babies can be fussy when it comes to trying new foods or drinks. A few days before your trip, introduce your child to whole milk by mixing one part milk with two parts of breast milk or formula. This way, the baby can get used to the new taste and will be more likely to accept it when traveling.

2 – Pack extra bottles and nipples

Accidents happen, whether it is a spilled bottle or a misplaced nipple. Therefore, it is always wise to pack an extra set of bottles and nipples to ensure you have enough for the trip.

3 – Keep track of expiration dates

When you purchase whole milk, make sure to check the expiration date. It is recommended not to use milk after its expiration date, especially when traveling with a child who has a developing immune system.

4 – Bring some snacks

In addition to whole milk, make sure to pack some healthy snacks for your baby while traveling. This will not only provide additional nutrition but also keep them occupied during long trips.

Traveling with a baby can be challenging, but it shouldn’t

When it comes to traveling with a baby, there are so many things to consider. From packing enough diapers and clothes, to making sure all of their necessities are on hand, it can be overwhelming. One thing that can cause even more stress is transporting milk for your baby. Whether you’re formula feeding or exclusively breastfeeding, when your little one needs milk on the go, there’s nothing quite like being able to offer them whole milk. However, with strict rules and regulations surrounding liquids on airplanes, you may be wondering how to travel with whole milk for your baby without a hassle. In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about traveling with whole milk for your baby in a safe and convenient manner.

TSA Liquid Rules for Traveling with Whole Milk

Before we dive into how exactly you can travel with whole milk for your baby, it’s important to understand the TSA liquid rules. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), all liquids must be in containers that hold 3.4 ounces or less and must all fit into one quart-size bag per passenger. This includes both carry-on and checked bags. However, there are exceptions for certain types of liquids such as medications and baby food/formula.

Packing Whole Milk for Your Baby While Flying

If you’re traveling by plane and need to bring whole milk for your baby, there are a few options available to you. The first option is purchasing ready-to-feed formula in the appropriate size (usually 3oz) at a local store before heading to the airport. This way, you can bypass the TSA liquid rules altogether and have enough milk for your flight.

If using ready-to-feed formula isn’t an option for you or if you prefer using whole milk from home, another option is purchasing powdered formula in a travel-sized container. This way, you can simply add water once you’re through security and have a bottle of fresh whole milk for your baby. Just make sure to only bring enough water for the flight and to throw away any leftover liquid before landing, as airport water may not be safe for consumption.

If your baby is breastfeeding and you have pumped milk on hand, you are allowed to bring more than 3.4 ounces as long as it is declared at the TSA checkpoint. Make sure to pack it in a spill-proof container and be prepared for additional screening procedures.

Packing Whole Milk for Your Baby While on Road Trips

If you’re traveling by car, it can be easier to pack whole milk for your baby. Since there are no TSA liquid rules to follow, you can bring as much whole milk as needed in a cooler or insulated bag. This is also a great option if you plan on being out and about during your trip.

Make sure to pack enough ice packs or frozen water bottles in the cooler to keep the milk cold during your trip. If you run out of ice, make sure to stop at stores along the way to replenish your supply.

Tips for Storing Whole Milk While Traveling

No matter how you’re traveling and bringing whole milk for your baby, proper storage techniques are crucial to ensure safety. Here are some tips for storing whole milk while traveling:

– Use an insulated cooler or bag: To keep the milk cold during travel. – Keep the milk away from direct sunlight: This can cause bacteria growth and spoil the milk. – Use frozen ice packs or frozen water bottles: These will maintain a consistent temperature in the cooler. – Check expiration dates: Make sure that the whole milk has not expired before packing it. – Use spill-proof containers: To prevent any messes while traveling. – Don’t mix old milk with fresh milk: If using pumped breast milk, use the oldest milk first to avoid wasting any.

Travel-Friendly Alternatives to Whole Milk

If you’re still concerned about traveling with whole milk for your baby, there are a few alternative options that may work for you. These include:

– Ready-to-feed formula: As mentioned earlier, these come in convenient 3oz bottles which make them perfect for traveling. – Powdered formula: This option is great if you want to have more control over the milk-to-water ratio and if you’re traveling for an extended period of time. – Breastfeeding or pumping: Breastfeeding or pumping on demand during your trip can be the most convenient option without having to worry about transporting whole milk. – Non-perishable beverages: If your baby is old enough, you may be able to pack a sippy cup or bottle with non-perishable alternatives such as water, juice, or plant-based milks.

Traveling with whole milk for your baby may seem like a daunting task at first, but with proper planning and preparation, it can be done safely and conveniently. Make sure to follow the TSA liquid rules and use proper storage techniques to ensure that the whole milk stays fresh during travel. Remember to bring

Q: Can I bring whole milk for my baby on a flight? A: Yes, you can bring whole milk for your baby on a flight. However, there are certain guidelines and restrictions that you must follow.

Q: What is the maximum amount of whole milk that I can bring for my baby on a flight? A: The maximum amount of whole milk that you can bring for your baby on a flight is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) per container. You can have more than one container, but the total amount cannot exceed this limit.

Q: Do I need to declare the whole milk for my baby at the airport security checkpoint? A: Yes, you must declare the whole milk for your baby at the airport security checkpoint. It will go through additional inspection procedures, so be sure to have it easily accessible.

Q: How should I pack and store the whole milk for my baby when traveling? A: It is best to pack the whole milk in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs to keep it cold. Once you reach your destination, make sure to store it in the refrigerator immediately.

Q: Can I bring frozen or partially thawed whole milk for my baby on a flight? A: Yes, you can bring frozen or partially thawed whole milk as long as it meets the 3.4-ounce limit and is completely frozen when going through security. However, it may not be allowed if it has fully thawed by the time of inspection.

Q: Can I bring breastmilk along with whole milk for my baby on a flight? A: Yes, you can bring breastmilk along with your baby’s whole milk on a flight. Breastmilk is exempt from the 3.4-ounce limit and does not require additional screening. Be sure to inform airport security that you have breastmilk with you.

In conclusion, traveling with whole milk for a baby can seem daunting at first, but with proper planning and precautions, it is a manageable task. It is essential to consider the safety and quality of the milk while traveling, so opting for shelf-stable or frozen options is recommended. Additionally, following guidelines for storage and transportation can ensure that the milk remains safe to consume.

Planning ahead of time and communicating with airline staff or hotel accommodations can make the process smoother. Utilizing insulated containers or cold packs can help maintain the temperature of the milk during transit. Furthermore, being mindful of potential allergies and adhering to hygiene measures will ensure that your baby’s health and well-being are not compromised.

Ultimately, it is crucial to prioritize your baby’s nutrition and comfort while traveling. Making sure they are well-fed and hydrated will result in a more relaxed journey for both the baby and parents. With these tips in mind, parents can confidently travel with whole milk for their baby without sacrificing their nutritional needs.

To sum up, traveling with whole milk for a baby requires planning, organization, and careful consideration of safety measures. By following these guidelines, parents can provide their babies with quality nutrition while on the go. Remember to stay informed about transportation regulations and consult with a pediatrician if necessary. Most

Author Profile

Latest entries

• May 22, 2024 Baby Sleep Rock-a-Bye No More: Conquering the Battle of Rocking Your Toddler to Sleep
• May 22, 2024 Baby Sleep Rock-a-Bye No More: Mastering the Art of Putting Your Baby to Sleep Without Rocking
• May 22, 2024 How To Guides Say Goodbye to Grinding: Tips for Stopping Your Toddler’s Teeth-Clenching Habit
• May 22, 2024 How To Guides Say Goodbye to Milk Out of Baby’s Nose: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Leaks

Air Travel with Toddlers and Milk

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: May 2, 2023

Share this!:

One of the many challenges of air travel with toddlers is deciding how to best transport the milk, juice, or other liquids they need. Although TSA allows parents with babies and toddlers to bring liquids in excess of 3.4 ounces, the reality is that the process is still far from easy. If you bring milk or other liquids with you for a flight, you very well may have to endure extra security screening. And let’s not forget the hassles that liquids like milk pose if you need to keep them cold.

The original inspiration for this post came nearly a decade ago, when I received a full body pat-down at the Orange County, California airport for bringing milk for my 13 month old. It wasn’t the first (and it definitely wasn’t the last) time this happened to me. After over a decade of flying with little ones, I’ve experimented with all the options to try and dodge the hassles that toddler travel with milk brings.

There is no perfect solution for air travel with toddlers and liquids. I find it is helpful to do things a bit differently each time I travel, depending on the age of my little one and the duration of the flight. Here are the choices and alternatives you might consider when you need to travel with toddlers and milk.

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

Can I Bring Milk on a Plane for My Toddler? Current TSA Rules

Since I started flying with young kids, the official TSA rules about milk and other liquids for babies and toddlers have changed multiple times. Often these rules have been confusing or internally inconsistent. And they’ve definitely been misinterpreted and incorrectly enforced by TSA agents all over the country.

For the definitive word, always go to TSA.gov’s page about traveling with children for the most current formulations of the rules. Here is what they say in 2023:

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. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs (regardless of presence of breast milk). Your child or infant does not need to be present or traveling with you to bring breast milk, formula and/or related supplies. 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. TSA officers may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items….

The bottom line? Yes, you can bring milk, juice, or other liquid foods and drinks for your child. No, your child does not have to be a baby – the rules apply to toddlers too (although the age cutoff for toddlers isn’t defined).

Note that the rules contain additional detail, recommending that passengers put liquid in clear, translucent bottles for easier screening. They also make clear that ice and frozen gel packs are permitted to keep permitted items cold as well.

Options & Ideas for Milk on Planes for Toddlers

Now on to the nitty gritty – exactly what products should you bring to make sure your toddlers have milk and their other favorite drinks in-flight? Here are the different solutions we’ve used and strategies we’ve employed in a variety of travel situations.

1) Cold milk in a thermos or insulated bottle

If your trip is fairly short and you can keep regular milk somewhat cold in a thermos or bottle, this is probably your best bet. TSA agents are often able to screen the milk by itself easily just by opening and testing the container. This means you often avoid the time and hassle of the dreaded full body pat-down.

If your toddler is partial to warmed or at least room temperature milk, however, you have to think about how best you can bring the temperature up before serving. If you carry a non-insulated container too (like a clear bottle ), you can run that under warm water to warm up the contents. But this means a little bit of a juggle and a risk for spillage if you need to transfer the liquid into other containers. This challenge certainly isn’t insurmountable, but is worth noting.

2) Shelf stable milk

For longer flights where you can’t keep milk cold for the duration of your travels, shelf stable (aseptic) milk packs are your best bet. Since we often travel cross-country to see family, this has been the option we used the most.

We’ve found two brands are normally easy available in many grocery stores or online – Horizon or Organic Valley. But many grocery stores stores only seem to stock the 1% milk version , so if you have a younger toddler who only drinks whole milk, finding an acceptable product can be more challenging. Ordering online is probably your best bet, although you’ll often have to pay a price premium.

• Horizon Whole Milk Boxes on Amazon

Be aware, however, that carrying shelf stable milk will sometimes result in enhanced security at the hands of TSA. Because TSA cannot open the sealed milk boxes (because they’d spoil), some agents insist on subjecting you to an enhanced pat-down. It’s no fun, but I just accepted that this would happen some times. 

If you fly often, you’ll quickly learn which airports let these milks pass with ease (usually the larger ones used to seeing a lot of family travelers). Luckily, my home airports of SFO and OAK seem to let me pass without incident.

3) Powdered toddler formula

Toddler formula  was one of the newer products on the market when my first child was a toddler. And although it is probably not a necessary product for most toddlers most of the time, it has the huge advantage of being available in powdered form. And that means no worries about liquid screenings for air travel!

As long as your toddler likes the taste, you can use it instead of milk while in transit. Bring a small amount of the powder with you on your air travels, and mix it up with water in the airport or on the plane.

Before you commit to this strategy, however, try the formula out at home well in advance of your trip if your toddler doesn’t normally drink it already. The taste might be a struggle for some toddlers who’ve fully transitioned to milk.

4) Buy milk in the airport

Many families simply plan to avoid the TSA screening hassles by purchasing milk for their toddlers once they get through the checkpoints and on the sterile side of security. This is a little risky, as milk isn’t always available in every location in every airport. You may have to try multiple stores, and you may not be able to find the type of milk your child drinks – particularly if you have a younger toddler who drinks whole milk.

However, if you know the airport you are departing from (or if you can wing it without milk with one or more of these other backup options if it turns out to be unavailable), this approach is certainly viable.

As our toddlers got older and drank juice on occasion, we knew that could work in a pinch in transit as well for hydration.

5) On-board your flight

This is the one option that I don’t recommend – at least when it comes to milk! Although all airlines usually carry several varieties of juice, most airlines do not carry much milk on board, if any. And some airlines will only make the limited milk they do have available for use with the coffee service. If you wait to think about milk for your toddler until you board the plane, you will likely be out of luck. So plan ahead for another choice.

Additional Tips for Milk and Air Travel

Worried that carrying milk or other toddler liquids is going to be a hassle? Here are a few other tips to set you up for success.

• Leave extra time : If you are carrying liquids over the 3.4 ounce limits, always build in extra time for TSA screening. And make sure you know all the other tricks for speeding through airport security with kids so it’s only the milk that might slow you down!
• Print/screenshot TSA Rules : If you anticipate trouble with TSA (or even if you don’t!), it’s never a bad idea to have the rules handy to address any misunderstandings. Don’t assume TSA agents know the rules. Chances are good many parents who do their research know them better!
• Ask for a supervisor : If you are having trouble with a particular agent and think the toddler milk rules are being misapplied to you, don’t be afraid to ask for a supervisor. I did this several times when agents insisted that I open shelf-stable cartons which would result in the milk inside spoiling.
• Do additional research for international travel: The rules for milk and liquids are often different in other countries. So although this post should have you covered for domestic U.S. travel, if you are traveling internationally, you need to carefully read security screening rules for all airports you are departing from and connecting in.

How have you handled milk when traveling with toddlers? Leave your tips in the comments.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Sunday 10th of December 2023

Hi all, any suggestions for travelling International to DR with a toddler 18 months ago only drink dairy free milk? He's been drinking breastmilk since he was born into he was 1 year old, after that he's drinking Ripple milk which made mainly from pea protein. Not sure what other dairy free milk are available in DR.

Saturday 20th of July 2024

@Sabi, Hi, How did it work out for you? I’m traveling to Jamaica with a 16 month old that drinks ripple milk as well. Curious if you had any tips?

Friday 3rd of February 2023

We had to travel multiple times last year for family emergencies and we found the easiest way to get a warm bottle of milk for our toddler (she would not drink it cold after being weaned off nursing) was to get it from a coffee shop. I asked for kid-temp whole milk and would either transfer it into her bottle or have them fill my hydroflask to keep it warm til ready in the flight. Careful though, kid-temp was often still to hot so we had to let it cool just about every time.

@Melissa G, to clarify - from coffee shops AFTER the TSA check point.

Melissa Perez

Wednesday 29th of June 2022

Another option is to freeze any liquid you bring no matter what size. I pureed all food, packed in glass containers of all sizes and frozen everything including milk(more slushy than frozen). The TSA security staff said that was the smartest thing to do. They don't need to test anything frozen...Liquids are the problem.

Tuesday 29th of November 2022

@Melissa Perez, This is a great idea! The food that you packed in glass containers, were those frozen as well? If anything one can freeze the puree and milk. Right? How about water bottles? Is that allowed?

Tuesday 29th of October 2019

I think you made a wonderful article. But maybe you should add that in the case of smaller prepackaged milk, some airports... like Denver International Airport... will poke a hole thru the container to test for whatever they test for. Which means out of the 6 bottles I brought they opened one which got thrown away because they didn’t even open it normally... they poked a hole thru the side of the bottle. ? Idk I was getting patted down. But luckily I had brought enough to have some casualties, and they did let me have it. Note this is also the same airport security that makes my 2 year old remove his shoes to pass thru security and took apart my car seat cup holders and inspected everything.

lisa chavez

Thursday 11th of April 2019

Age two-year-old first flight 5 hours to Florida from California get for milk and keeping her occupied South screaming

• Work With Us

How to Feed a Baby During Travel (Nursing, Bottles, Formula & Solids)

Written by Becca

Updated on August 9th, 2024

Whether feeding your baby by nursing and breastfeeding, with bottles, formula or solids, there are lots of products to help with feeding a baby on the go. See my best travel tips for your next trip!

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

• Nursing (0-12+ months)
• Transporting refrigerated or frozen breastmilk
• Feeding breastmilk on the go
• Bottle Feeding & Formula Feeding (0-12+ months)
• Feeding solid food while traveling (6+ months)
• How to pack your baby’s feeding essentials for travel

When I first started realizing we had to figure out ways to leave home and feed our baby on the go, I was overwhelmed. Well, most parts of being a new parent are overwhelming, but when it comes to one of the most important parts of your baby’s life — their feeding — you want to get it right when you’re away from home.

Given, there are many ways to feed a baby, and for many parents, they’re combining a few of the following: nursing, bottle feeding, formula feeding and solids, as the baby becomes older. With all of these ways to feed a child, nailing it when you’re on the road, on the go and on vacation is an art.

In the following tips, I’m combining my practices in feeding my daughter with my sister’s tips, because between the two of us and our children, we have experienced all four of these ways to feed a baby. We’ve put together the handy products that have helped us set up comfortable feeding environments on the go, whether in the car, in a hotel room, in an Airbnb, on a cruise ship or on a plane.

Let’s see all the creative and proven ways to feed a baby while away from home!

Will you be feeding your baby during a flight? Don’t forget this list of the best tips for flying with an infant .

Nursing (0-12+ months)

Breastfeeding by definition doesn’t truly require many products, as the main goods are already on your body; however, there are some tips and tricks in terms of what I’ve been able to find for when I’m on the go and traveling.

Specifically for when I’m on road trips with my baby , I want to have everything ready for nursing if we need to have a feed in the car in a parking lot or rest area.

Remember, it’s legal to breastfeed anywhere (in the US: this may vary by country). In our guide for how to plan a trip to NYC with a baby , I talk about feeding our baby in a Starbucks with no problem.

Milkies Milk Saver

I started using this slim silicone “milk saver” as a way to catch drips and save milk, both at home and on the go. I started using this product during our trip to the Litchfield Hills and I’ll always have fond memories of nursing our daughter on the couch in the living room at our Airbnb.

The Milkies Milk Saver is dishwasher safe, and when I first took it out of the box (it also comes with a plastic carrying/storage case), we sanitized it in boiling water and then gave it a run in the dishwasher.

I think it’s a handy and simple product that fits great in my diaper bag, and it even can be “stood up” if you lean it against a large mug, bottle or other upright surface. I use the diaper bag from Nike, which you can read about at my Nike Diaper bag review .

For all the items I mention below that require washing, it’s crucial to bring your own dish soap. Until our most recent trip, we had always stayed in Airbnbs or hotels with kitchenettes, so there was always dish soap available. If you’re staying at a hotel with no kitchen, bring your own! I had the idea of bringing along a tiny 1.5-oz. milk vial full of dish soap from home, but I just found out that you can get Babyganics foaming dish soap for travel in a TSA-approved 100ml volume! Even better.

Travel-sized Hakka hand pump

I was introduced to the Hakka hand pump when I first gave birth to our daughter. I found out later that it comes in two sizes — 4 oz. and 5 oz. I keep the larger one at home, and I keep the smaller one in our diaper bag for when we are on the road.

The small Hakka pump can be used in two ways: first, it can also be a milk catcher, and can create suction to draw out more milk on the side from which you’re not feeding. It can also be used to pump, if you can get the hang of it (some women like to keep it on a nightstand to “comfort pump” in the middle of the night if they are feeling discomfort).

It’s small and because it’s silicone, it is slightly bendy, so it’s also easy to keep in a diaper bag or suitcase.

Medela hand pump

The Medela hand pump is something I’ve kept at the bottom of my diaper bag for travel for a while now. While it is not squishy silicone like the Hakka, its saving grace is that it can be broken down into a bout five pieces.

I’ve used this hand pump on the go if my baby refuses to take one side, and the sides feel uneven. I can use the manual pump to express a bit, and then put the milk into the bottle with the yellow Medela cover, right into a fridge or the Medela insulated carrying case. Many nursing moms consider this one of the best baby products for travel .

Disposable nursing pads

If you tend to have leaks, opt for disposable nursing pads that you don’t have to come back home with (anything for a lighter bag on the return trip, right?).

A few of these are good to keep in a diaper bag or in your toiletries bag while traveling, especially when you have a newborn and your supply is acclimating.

Ceres Chill Breastmilk Chiller

I’m not an owner of this rather revolutionary product in the world of nursing on the go, but I found out about it recently from a friend, and had to look into this one!

The Ceres Chill Reusable Storage Container is a breastmilk cooler that keeps milk at safe temperatures for 20+ hours. It also connects to most major pumps (Medela, Evenflo and more). It’s ideal for commuting, road trips and even being out at work for eight to nine hours.

It holds up to 24 ounces of milk and is dishwasher-safe and compact. Adapters are available for making it compatible with breast pump brands with which is not a direct fit.

Medela pump wipes

These sanitizing wipes from Medela help clean a pump while you’re out and away from a dishwasher.

Transporting refrigerated or frozen breastmilk

We do bottle feeding at night, so if we’re going to be away for even one night at minimum, we bring that night’s milk in a cooler and ice pack set when we leave the house. Recently I’ve been packing some refrigerated milk bottles from the fridge, along with a pack or two of frozen breastmilk from the freezer.

On our last road trip, we left home at around 9:30 am, stopped for lunch for about 90 minutes and then got to our Airbnb by 1 pm. The first thing I did was put the milk in the Medela cooler into the fridge, and like magic, the fridge milk was still cold and the frozen milk was about 95% still frozen.

Milk bags for the freezer

I have tried milk bags for the freezer from various brands, and I think the Lansinoh freezer bags are the best. They have the easiest zipper to close, and all you have to do is put the milk in and label it with a Sharpie.

Remember: breastmilk in a regular freezer is good for up to six months! I go by the CDC guidelines for breastmilk safety. View the CDC guidelines here.

Refrigerator milk bottles

For milk in the fridge, I wind up using the bottles that come from my Spectra pump . These are also the bottles I’ll take on a road trip in the Medela milk cooler, and they fit perfectly because they’re a standard 5-oz. size.

I also have some Lansinoh storage containers, as they’re for the Lansinoh bottles that my daughter takes as soon as we put the Lansinoh nipple on those. While we mostly use Comotomo bottles , I like that the Lansinoh bottles are a more standard size, so they’re less bulky in a diaper bag.

Medela milk cooler with ice pack

The Medela milk cooler is also not something I knew I needed, but I am so glad that I have it for being out and about or on a trip.

With this handy travel milk cooler, we could (if we needed to) bring up to 20 oz. of fridge milk in bottles, to our destination.

Typically I have a few fridge bottles and one or two frozen milk bags in there during a travel day.

Medela mini milk storage vial

For hand pumping or saved milk from a nursing session, I keep small amounts of milk (at room temperature for up to four hours as recommended by the CDC) in these vials while on the road.

Feeding breastmilk on the go

Now that you are able to store your breastmilk during travel, what about feeding it to your baby with bottles (if not breastfeeding)? Here are a few tips from my sister, who has done this more than I have, due to exclusive pumping for four months.

A diaper bag with insluation

My sister has the Bluekiwi diaper bag , which can fit four narrow 8-oz Dr. Brown’s bottles.

In the center insulated pocket, she’ll fit two bottles, plus an ice pack. The side insulated pocket can fit one bottle (without an ice pack). The fourth bottle-sized pocket is not insulated.

“Breastmilk pitcher”

This is a bit of a hack and workaround: my sister bought this smoothie/water bottle to use as a “breastmilk pitcher.”

When she has defrosted bags of breastmilk, she has poured them into this pitcher. Sometimes for travel, she’ll bring milk in this, and put it in a lunchbox with an ice pack.

Bottle Feeding & Formula Feeding (0-12+ months)

When my sister goes out of town, she usually packs four bottles. This is a good number of bottles to cycle through while also always having a clean one.

She washes her baby’s bottles in the dishwasher, and she brings a dishwasher basket (mentioned below) for the small bottle pieces. She and I both travel with a collapsible bottle drying rack, which again, helps keep things organized because there are so many bottle pieces (and pump pieces).

When Lily’s baby was younger, she avoided the dishwasher, and they hand washed the bottles and used the microwave sterilization bags. If you’re interested in microwave sterilizer bags , try these for times when you’re away from home.

Travel formula dispenser

While Lily and her husband are on the go, they bring a Munchkin travel formula dispenser . She just mixes the pre-measured formula with water, and shakes it up.

This dispenser has an easy spout, a snap-on lid for security, and holds enough formula to make three 8-oz. bottles.

Baby bottles for travel

Every parent (and baby) certainly has preferences about which brand of bottles to use. Before our baby was born, we had noooo idea that this was even a thing!

After experimenting with various brands of bottles (NUK, Dr. Brown’s, Comotomo, Spectra and Lansinoh) over her first three months, we came out with two contenders for the #1 favorite: Comotomo and Lansinoh.

My sister’s baby, however, prefers Dr. Brown’s bottles — the “skinny” type with the small nipple. I’ll leave links for all these types below!

Comotomo bottles are somewhat “modern” in that they’re very round (in the 5-oz. version) and have a bowl-like nipple. I like that they’re squishy. Our baby also likes playing with them in the bath (ha!).

Lansinoh bottles were recommended to us as bottles for breastfed babies because apparently the nipple mimics the “real thing.” We’ve had good luck with these, and I like that the small version is not so bulky when I pack one up in the diaper bag for a trip.

Dr. Brown’s “The Skinny Kind”

My mom group refers to the two models of Dr. Brown’s bottles as “the fat one” (or “the wide one”) and the tall/narrow version as “the skinny one.” My niece specifically takes the Dr. Brown’s skinny bottle , and has started feeding herself the bottle!

OXO Bottle brush travel kit & drying rack

This travel-sized drying rack was something I didn’t know I needed, and it’s so useful in serving as both a travel bottle brush (with a tiny bottle brush as well) and drying rack.

Check out Dan’s review of the bottle brush.

Open the folding case, and there’s a brush, along with a complete bottle or pump part drying rack. During our trip to Livingston Manor in the Catskills , we used this because we didn’t have a dishwasher in the hotel room. It was incredibly handy and kept our baby’s bottles clean for two days, making it one of the best items for surviving a hotel stay with a baby .

IMG_4253.jpg

Portable bottle warmer

While you very well could use a hot mug of water to warm up a bottle where you’re staying, the Tommee Tippee travel bottle warmer is good for on the go. It fits into a changing bag and can warm up a bottle when you’re traveling.

It’s a mobile bottle warmer because it doesn’t require an external power source; it securely stores hot water with insulation, so that you can pop a bottle right in, whether you are camping, or in and out of a hotel.

Dishwasher basket for bottle parts

If you’re staying at a friend’s house, family member’s house or a vacation rental house, hopefully there is a dishwasher and you can use it to wash bottle and pump parts. Having the Munchkin dishwasher basket is pretty necessary for tiny things like bottle nipples, bottle tops and small parts of a pump like the small duckbill parts.

What’s great about this one is that it has two “levels,” with the lower basket big enough to hold things like sippy cup parts.

Feeding solid food while traveling (6+ months)

Babies are messy eaters, and unfortunately, our daughters both cannot be trusted to eat neatly without a high chair tray! If you’re up to feeding solid food while you’re on a trip, check out these ideas of how you can make the experience more seamless for you and your baby.

Travel-sized lunchbox

We’re using this adorable travel lunchbox from the new baby & toddler product line at Quince!

Get free shipping, plus 365-day returns now!

Shop the deal

It’s made from recycled bottles and has a mesh zipper pocket for holding toddler or child silverware, along with a clear sleeve for a name tag. Check out how our baby food fits inside.

Booster seat for travel

My sister has the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat , which stays at Grandma’s house. It has a good-sized tray and supportive seat back. It’s also totally packable for a road trip.

Canvas folding high chair

She also has the PandaEar portable canvas folding high chair that folds up into a little fabric travel bag. It’s very lightweight and can go right into the backseat on a road trip, or in the trunk of a car. You can strap it to a dining chair like a booster seat.

She can throw it into the stroller basket when they are having a picnic (it can be used on the ground and stands up on its own) in the park, or when heading to a restaurant. The weight and size of it are super convenient, although my sister admits that the tray is quite small, but it does have a cup holder. However, the “flat tray” is important to her.

Travel-friendly placemat

This is a placemat that she intends to buy, to bring to restaurants during trips. It would be good because if it is sticky after the meal, you can fold it shut and it won’t make the rest of your belongings sticky. Many restaurants in family-friendly travel destinations will be fine with you bringing this for the high chair.

Container of puffs and cereal

My sister keeps a container for puffs/cereal in the diaper bag when traveling. She likes this leak-proof plastic container because it’s small!

Also, the lid won’t fall off (it’s a screw lid, which is also pretty baby-proof). If you had a Ziploc bag, the cereal would get squished to crumbs.

A bib that folds up small for travel

We travel with an easy polyester bib that folds up small into our diaper bag. We call it “the smock!” Also, this long-sleeve bib is popular and works well for messy toddlers. It avoids having to use up an outfit change during a trip!

Cereal puffs

Lily also buys these cereal puffs from “Happy Baby” because many Gerber products have added sugar, which is good to know.

Puffs and finger-food cereals are great starter solids for being on the go because they’re not super messy. The older babies at my weekly baby/parent meetup often munch on these when they’re outside of the house.

Having a pouch of spoon-feedable baby food is going to be great for times when you’re feeding purees to your child. Also, we got our own pouches for purees so that we can make our baby’s favorite foods at home, put them in pouches, and take them on the go.

One of these would even safely fit in the pocket of our Baby Tula Compact Lite Baby Carrier , or in my Kibou fanny pack diaper bag for travel days.

For a limited time: Join the list for 15% off your first order + get free shipping on orders $75+!

How to pack your baby’s feeding essentials for travel

When you’re at home, you don’t necessarily think about how to make your set up mobile. Here are a few quick tips for taking your kit on the go.

On a road trip

For a road trip, like the ones we’ve done, we’ve taken our daughter’s milk in the small milk bottle cooler , and any baby food like jars or pouches in a food bag with our food and snacks. If you have a baby or toddler who’s eating what you eat, whlie at restaurants, that’s even more convenient!

The only thing to keep in mind about the milk cooler is that if you are thinking of leaving it in the car and it’s hot during summer, consider bringing it in with you into a rest stop or restaurant to keep it less hot, while the car is heating up in the sun in a parking lot.

In a personal item

On most airlines (at least in the US), your diaper bag is considered the lap infant’s personal item, meaning if you and a partner are already traveling on a flight, your diaper bag “does not count” toward the personal item allowance between the two of you.

In the diaper bag, you can keep enough food to feed your baby during the flight itself, and hopefully enough to sustain the baby before the flight and after landing as well.

As a measure of security, please check with your airline regarding its allowances for diaper bags, bags of formula or milk and baby food.

In a carry-on

If your food or milk for your baby or toddler won’t all fit in the diaper bag, consider splitting it up between a carry-on suitcase or backpack, as well as a checked bag. This way, if your checked bag gets lost, at least you will have some of your baby’s food in the carry-on, which came on the plane with you.

In checked baggage

If you have your baby’s feeding essentials (or half of them) in checked baggage (which is pretty realistic, if you are flying and going away for more than a day), consider pickin gup Apple AirTags for the trip. This way, if your luggage gets stuck during connecting flights somewhere, or even just stuck in holding at your destination, you can track the location of the bag from the Find My app on your phone.

You may also like

The Best Way to Change a Diaper on an Airplane (and a Simple Trick)

Is there any easy way for how to change a baby’s diaper on a flight? I’m sharing my expert tips on changing diapers in an airplane bathroom, and some tricks, too.

Baby Tula Explore Carrier Review: Sturdy, Comfy and Supportive

I tested one of Baby Tula's most popular baby carriers, the Explore Carrier, because I wanted a front-facing carry option for my baby. Read my review, and find a discount code inside.

No Reception Club’s Getaway Bag Review: Modern Travel Diaper Backpack?

Is the No Reception Club Getaway Bag worth the hype? I tested this travel diaper bag for daily use and road tripping, plane travel and going to on adventures with a toddler.

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review (Tried & Tested)

BabyBjorn’s travel crib is the lightest travel crib I’ve used, by far. Is it also the best travel crib for its price? My review details my experience and thoughts!

Guava Lotus Travel Crib Review: Best for a Family Trip?

Is the Guava Lotus a good travel crib to get for a trip with a baby? I review this travel crib and compare it to other popular travel cribs.

Nike Convertible Diaper Bag Review: Unisex and Travel-Friendly

I review the Nike Diaper Bag as a changing bag for parents on the go! Is this a worthwhile travel changing bag for both mom and dad? Take a look.

Hey ! We’re Becca & Dan.

We created this blog to share some of the knowledge and experience that we have around travel , remote work , photography and beyond!

We're currently packing snacks for our next adventure.

Join the club

You’ll get emails with our latest articles, tips, advice and so much more! You won't find this content anywhere else!

This website may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Among other programs, Half Half Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Everything You Need To Know About Traveling With Milk For A Toddler

These are my tips for how to travel with milk for a toddler that has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RealMilkMoment #LoveWhatsReal #CollectiveBias

Our daughter adores her 2% milk. She enjoys a “big” milk every morning and a “tiny” milk every evening before bed. One of the many obstacles we face while traveling is finding and properly storing milk for our toddler.

Our little gal also enjoys her milk warm, bringing a fresh new challenge of finding ways to heat milk while on the road. However, there are plenty of ways to travel and provide your child with the necessary nutrients. Here is everything you need to know about how to travel with milk for a toddler.

Why We LOVE Milk

My daughter is quite a picky eater, so ensuring she gets her milk during our travels is important to us. Real milk has nine essential nutrients such as Vitamin A for a healthy immune system and bone-building nutrients like calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphorus per 8-oz serving.

We love dairy milk because it is a simple and wholesome beverage with no added sugar. It is also affordable! At just about a quarter per serving, milk delivers more nutritional value per penny than just about any other beverage.

Our love for milk extends into creamy Mac-N-Cheese, one meal our daughter will always approve of! While we have tried non-dairy milk alternatives, I was pretty surprised at the ingredient list. Tons of gums I couldn’t pronounce, added sugars, salt, and more. While it might be a great alternative to those who are dairy-free, my daughter didn’t care for the taste. Visit https://milklife.com/milk-love-whats-real to learn more about the different types of real milk for you and your family.

How To Travel With Milk For A Toddler At The Airport

Many new moms and even seasoned travelers go into airport security not knowing the rules and TSA regulations for milk. Regardless of the type of milk you are traveling with, the same rules apply. Milk will be a part of your carry-on luggage and will be addressed at the airport security checkpoint. 

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. The TSA officer may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items.

Per TSA: 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. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (including puree pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs (regardless of the presence of breast milk). Your child or infant does not need to be present or traveling with you to bring breast milk, formula, and/or related supplies.

Why Bring Your Own Milk To The Airport

Parents need to assume milk won’t be available on the flight or at the airport, so packing it is a necessity. Depending on the type of milk your child is drinking, it may be difficult to find as airports often have limited options.

Our daughter loved her whole milk before we recently switched her to 2%. Throughout our travels, whole milk was seemingly more difficult to find at the airports. We suggest packing your milk in reusable containers with a freezer pack. By packing your own milk in reusable containers, you will also save yourself the hefty cost of the airport markup.

Consider Shelf Stable Milk

Another great alternative to travel with is shelf-stable milk. This type of milk won’t require any cooling, and since it is at room temperature, there will be no need to warm it. Shelf-stable milk is often found in the baking aisle of your local grocery store.

Can I Bring Freezer Packs To The Airport? 

Per the TSA website: “Frozen liquid items and gel packs are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening . If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.” 

Therefore, your milk and your frozen ice pack will need to be a part of your carry-on baggage. I would have a cooler bag that was solely dedicated to milk, or it would be a compartment in my breast-pump bag. Plan on a little extra time during the screening process when traveling with milk.

Can I Bring  Milk On A Plane For A Toddler And Tips For TSA?

The good news is that you can bring your child’s milk (in reasonable quantities), ice packs, and a small cooler through TSA. This includes breast milk. The bad news is that they will have to do additional security screening on them. This is a minor inconvenience that may seem like a hassle at the time but it is entirely worth it when your child wants that sippy cup of milk mid-flight. Here are a few tips to help your process go smoothly: 

• During the day of travel, pack frozen milk packs last so that they don’t have to much time to thaw. 
• Although not required, to expedite the screening process, it is recommended that formula and breast milk be transported in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches.
• At the TSA checkpoint, let the TSA officer know right away about your milk.
•  Pull out your milk, ice packs, and any other liquids you are bringing and place them in a separate bin.
• Inform the TSA agent if you wish for the milk not to go through an x-ray machine so that they take additional screening measures. TSA guidelines do change, so be sure to head over to their website for the most recent procedures.
• Remember that these tips are for the United States and that international travel may pose new rules and regulations to overcome. 

How To Heat Milk On A Flight

Depending on the airline and flight time, milk may not be offered on your flight. This is where bringing your own gives you that inner peace that everything will be ok. If your child needs their milk warmed during the flight, ask the flight attendant for a half cup of warm water and put the bottle in it. Keep checking to see if the milk is warm enough at 30 seconds, then again at 45 seconds. Once it has reached its ideal temperature for your child, you are all set to go.

How To Travel With Milk At The Hotel

How to keep milk cold in a hotel.

Once you have arrived at your destination, a stop at the nearby convenience or grocery store will have local fresh milk in your hands. The obstacle now is how to keep it cold.

While many hotels have fridges in each room, there is a fair amount that doesn’t. Call ahead and request a fridge to be placed in your room before arrival. Many hotels can offer guests a few fridges to store medications and milk for babies/toddlers. They are often on a first-come-first-serve basis, so get your request in early!

No fridge, no worries. Utilize the ice bucket in your room. Fill the bucket with ice and place the milk in to help keep it cold. Replace ice as needed. We even stuffed the ice bucket into our portable cooler once to keep the milk cold for as long as possible.

Tip: Many hotels have 24-hour mini-markets in them that will sell single-serve milk. Purchase the milk you need when you need it.

I also recommend getting friendly with the receptionists, who may be able to come up with another creative solution.

How To Warm Milk In A Hotel

We are huge advocates for portable bottle warmers. There are plenty of excellent travel-size bottle warmers that even have car adapters. This will be the most convenient and quickest way to warm milk in the hotel room.

Another alternative is heating water in a coffee pot or microwave and then placing the milk cup or bottle in the warm water to heat. In the event, the coffee pot lid isn’t wide enough, utilize the coffee cups in the hotel room or even the trusty ice bucket to pour the hot water into. Do not warm bottles/cups directly in the microwave, as the milk will not heat evenly and could potentially burn your child.

Filling the bathroom sink with hot water and setting the milk in it to warm has been our most recent discovery. Remember to keep checking the temperature of the milk while it sits to ensure it does not get too hot.

The hotel staff is often very willing to assist with anything you may need, especially for their littlest guests. While pricy, we have even resorted to ordering room-service milk.

How To Travel With Milk For A Toddler On A Road Trip

Taking a road trip with milk is simpler than flying with it. Pack a cooler with your preferred milk and ice packs to ensure it is always within arm’s reach.

The beauty of taking a road trip is that you can always stop at gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants if you need to purchase milk. A fun travel road trip tradition is that we always stop for chocolate milk. We always grab cold chocolate milk to share when we stop to fuel the car up before hitting the road. It has become a tradition that even our little gal enjoys.

Discover our Top Tips For Taking A Road Trip With A Toddler .

Warming Milk On The Road

If you are taking a short trip, get a thermos and fill it with warm milk. That way, it should stay warm for when your little one requests it during your travels.

Our favorite way to warm milk up on the road is with a portable bottle warmer. Even though my daughter doesn’t take a bottle we heat it up in the warmer and pour it into her sippy cup. The portable bottle warmer has a car adapter that allows you to heat milk on the go.

No portable bottle warmer, no problem; many restaurants will be happy to assist in warming milk by offering cups of hot water. Many gas stations and convenience stores have hot water for the tea that you can purchase, or you can run your bottle under the hot water in the bathroom.

Travel with milk for a toddler can be done. It might take a little more creativity and patience, but in the long one, your little one will thank you!

Look for more great articles on Traveling With A Toddler .

Pin It For Later

How To Travel With Milk For A Toddler

You May Also Like

The Ultimate Water Park Packing List + What To Wear At The Water Park

Family Travel Stories: Real Life Toddler Edition

Road Trip Goodie Bags For Toddlers, Kids, and Adults

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Traveling with Children

All passengers are required to undergo screening. However, TSA has developed modified screening procedures for children who appear to be 12 years old and younger. TSA officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the child’s screening.

TSA standard screening procedures apply for children 13 years and older. Carry-on property of all passengers, regardless of age, must be screened. All passengers who alarm will undergo additional screening.

Children with Medical Conditions, Disabilities, or Mobility Aids

Inform the TSA officer if the child has a disability, medical condition or medical device.

Let the TSA officer know if your child is able to walk through the metal detector or needs to be carried through the metal detector by a parent/guardian. You may carry your child through the WTMD. The TSA officer will not remove your child from their mobility aid, wheelchair or scooter.

Request Assistance

TSA Cares provides information to passengers with disabilities, medical conditions and those that need additional assistance to better prepare for the security screening process. Call  TSA Cares 72 hours prior  to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. You may also call to request assistance at the checkpoint.

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. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs and gel packs (regardless of presence of breast milk). Your child or infant does not need to be present or traveling with you to bring breast milk, formula and/or related supplies.

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. TSA officers may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items.

It’s helpful to the officers when formula and breast milk are in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches. Liquids in plastic bags or pouches may not be able to be screened by Bottle Liquid Scanners, and you may be asked to open them (if feasible) for alternate screening such as Explosive Trace Detection and Vapor Analysis for the presence of liquid explosives. Screening will never include placing anything into the medically necessary liquid.

TSA X-ray machines are not harmful to 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. Additional steps will be taken to resolve alarms. You or the traveling guardian will undergo additional screening procedures, to include Advanced Imaging Technology screening and additional/enhanced screening of other carry-on property.

Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) – regardless of the presence of breast milk – are also allowed in carry-ons, along with liquid-filled teethers. If these items are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above.

Passengers requiring special accommodations or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may request assistance by contacting  TSA Cares  or by phone at (855) 787-2227.

Screening of Children’s Items

• Place all carry-on baggage such as children's toys, bags and blankets on the X-ray belt for screening.
• Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats and backpacks must be screened by X-ray.
• Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening.
• Equipment that does not fit through the X-ray machine will undergo a visual/physical inspection by TSA officers.

Screening Technology

Walk-Through Metal Detector

Children able to walk through the metal detector without assistance may do so separately from their parent or guardian. If they alarm, children are allowed multiple passes through screening technologies and may undergo other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down. Infants and small children may be carried through the metal detector. Should the alarm sound, additional screening is required.

Advanced Imaging Technology

If your child is able to remain standing in the required position for 5 seconds, he or she may be screened through the advanced imaging technology. If a child 12 and under goes through the machine and alarms, they have an opportunity to go through again or the TSA officer may use other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down.

You may not be screened by this technology when carrying an infant or child.

Screening your Child

• Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening. For AIT screening, light jackets must be removed and placed on the X-ray belt.
• Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.
• Remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in arms through the walk-through metal detector.
• Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier (to include lap baby) through the walk-through metal detector or when being screened in a wheelchair, but may be subject to additional screening
• Modified screening procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of a pat-down.

Free shipping on orders over $25.  See details

Travel Tips for Baby: Feeding on the Go

Airplanes, road trips, hotel stays – oh my! Tis the season for travel, and through all the excitement and vacation-mode mania, for many, there’s one big difference this year. They’ll be accompanied by baby.

There are two rituals of a baby’s everyday life that can get easily interrupted during travel: Feeding and sleeping. But there are a few ways to prepare that can help make feeding and sleeping be as turbulence-free as possible, so you and your family can fully enjoy your time away from home. In part one of this two-part series, we’re focusing on feeding while on the go. Check out these tips on how to travel with formula or while breastfeeding, and learn how to pack baby bottles for road trips and planes. And be sure to read our follow-up article, Travel Tips for Baby: Sleeping on the Go.

Feeding Baby While Flying

• If you’re flying with Dr. Brown’s bottles, remember to remove the internal vent system before getting on the plane; a plane pressurizes as it goes into the air, which counteracts the vacuum-free vent system and can actually pull milk out of the bottle. Seal the bottle with a screw-on travel cap, and once the cabin is pressurized, you’re good to put the parts back in and use the bottle as normal.
• If you want to warm the contents of the bottle, just ask your flight attendant to warm it up in a cup of hot water. Do the wrist-test to check the temperature before putting the parts in and feeding baby.
• Try to plan feeding times for take-off and landing, since the swallowing motion will help ease pressure that can build up and irritate little ears.
• If baby is eating solids, pack all the snacks! You can’t possibly bring enough. Stow them in your carry-on for easy access. Our Tummy Grumbles Reusable Snack Bags are perfect for air travel; they save space, are clear so you can see what’s inside, and sit up on their own, so you don’t need two hands to help feed baby. You’re also allowed small jars of baby food – just don’t forget to pack the spoons in your carry-on.
• If baby’s a little older, it’s smart to bring an extra bottle or sippy cup and ask for bottled water on the plane. Flying dehydrates us, and baby will appreciate the extra fluids.

Feeding Baby on a Road Trip

• For those using formula, a formula dispenser is going to be a very good friend to you. It provides pre-determined amount of formula that can be easily poured into the bottle. The same can be said for long flights. Either way, don’t forget to pack extra bottled water for mixing.
• If you’re breastfeeding, build in some extra time to your road trip to stop and feed baby. Alternately, some moms choose to feed baby a bottle of breastmilk while on-the-go, and pump in place of that feeding. If that’s what you choose, pack a small cooler full of ice, some spare bottles and storage caps, or breastmilk storage bags , to protect and store that pumped milk.
• If baby is eating some solids, it’s best to avoid anything that can stain. In fact, consider avoiding the jar-and-spoon combo entirely. Squeezable packs are perfect for every twist, turn and pothole.
• Small-sized snacks like puffs are great for road trips. Pack them in the Dr. Brown’s Snack-A-Pillar™ stackable snack cups, which can be used as four separate snack cups, or stacked together to save space. They’re also great for portioning out snacks for different legs of the trip.

Feeding Baby in the Hotel

• Make sure to pack a bottle brush and natural dish soap in a travel-size container to clean bottles in the hotel room sink. It might be a good idea to hit the sink and counter with a quick scrub to disinfect the surface before and after every cleaning. Use a separate, clean towel to let the bottle and parts air-dry.
• Because traveling brings about a whole slew of new germs, consider throwing some microwave steam sterilizer bags in your suitcase so you can sterilize bottles and pacifiers when you get to the hotel. If you don’t have a microwave in your room, most hotels have a communal microwave in their breakfast area or restaurant.
• Try to book a room with a mini-fridge to keep bottles and breastmilk cold. If that’s not possible, pack a cooler that stays in the room and keep it well-iced.
• If breastfeeding, try to take it easy, take lots of naps, and stay hydrated so your milk supply doesn’t run low. Use the microwave sterilizer to clean your sterilizer-safe pumping parts each time you pump in the hotel room.
• Stick to solids baby knows since any additional changes to their routine may be disruptive. Now may not be best time to introduce new food, which probably means your bag will be a bit heavier heading out – but at least heading home will be a lot lighter.

Traveling with a baby, especially one still little and portable, can be a really fun and rewarding experience for everyone. Doing your best to keep to their normal feeding schedule, no matter if you’re in flight, hitting the road, or in the hotel room, will go far in keeping baby happy and fuss-free. A little prep ahead of time will pay off – and help guarantee a great vacation for the whole family. For questions on any of the Dr. Brown’s products mentioned in this article, visit us online or contact us today!

Don't miss out!

Free Shipping when you spend $25. You are $25 away from free shipping!

Continue Shopping

Privacy Overview

How to travel with whole milk for a baby?

Traveling with whole milk for a baby can be challenging, but with proper planning and preparation, it can be done safely and efficiently. It’s important to consider the specific needs of your baby, as well as any travel restrictions or regulations that may apply. In this article, we will discuss some tips and guidelines for traveling with whole milk for a baby, ensuring that both you and your little one can travel comfortably and with peace of mind.

Do you like this article? Yes No

Thank you! Please keep reading.

In this article:

Choosing the Right Container

When traveling with whole milk for a baby, it’s important to choose the right container to ensure that the milk stays fresh and safe to consume. Look for a secure, leak-proof container that is easy to carry and won’t spill during travel. Consider using a insulated bottle or thermos to keep the milk at the proper temperature, especially if you’ll be traveling for an extended period. Make sure to pack enough milk to last the duration of your trip, plus a little extra just in case.

Storing and Transporting Whole Milk

Once you have chosen the right container, it’s important to properly store and transport the whole milk to keep it safe for your baby to drink. If you are traveling by car, place the milk in a cooler with ice packs to keep it cold. If you are traveling by plane, be aware of regulations regarding liquids and baby food. You may need to pack the milk in a separate bag and inform security officers at the airport. It’s also a good idea to check the airline’s policies regarding traveling with baby food and milk to avoid any issues during your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can i travel with whole milk for my baby.

Yes, you can travel with whole milk for your baby, but it’s important to follow certain guidelines to ensure the milk stays fresh and safe to consume.

How long can whole milk be kept at room temperature?

Whole milk should not be kept at room temperature for more than two hours. It’s best to use an insulated container or cooler to keep the milk at the proper temperature during travel.

Can I freeze whole milk for traveling?

Yes, you can freeze whole milk for traveling, but make sure to use a freezer-safe container and thaw the milk properly before giving it to your baby.

Recommended Products for You

1. The Oracle™ Jet - Espresso Machine

Enjoy a barista-quality espresso at home! The Oracle™ Jet offers perfect coffee extraction and automatic milk texturing, ensuring every cup is brewed to perfection. Start your morning right with professional espresso at the touch of a button!

Discover the Oracle™ Jet

2. The Joule® Oven Air Fryer Pro

Transform your cooking game! The Joule® Oven Air Fryer Pro combines smart technology with powerful air frying, baking, roasting, and dehydrating functions. Achieve crispy results without all the oil and enjoy healthier, tastier meals at home.

Explore the Joule® Oven Air Fryer Pro

3. The Juice Fountain® Cold XL - Juicer

Fresh juice, your way! With the Juice Fountain® Cold XL , you can enjoy nutrient-packed, cold-pressed juice in seconds. Its extra-large chute allows whole fruits and vegetables, making juicing faster and easier. Perfect for a refreshing, healthy lifestyle!

Check out the Juice Fountain® Cold XL

4. The Paradice™ 16 - Food Processor

Your kitchen's best friend! The Paradice™ 16 food processor makes slicing, dicing, chopping, and blending a breeze. Whether prepping for a feast or just a quick meal, this powerful processor will save you time and effort in the kitchen.

Discover the Paradice™ 16

5. The InFizz™ Fusion - Soda & Sparkling Water Maker

Bring the sparkle to your drinks! The InFizz™ Fusion lets you create sparkling water or custom sodas with ease. Control the fizz level to your liking and enjoy refreshing, bubbly beverages anytime. Say goodbye to store-bought sodas!

See the InFizz™ Fusion in action

6. Traeger Ironwood 650 - Pellet Grill

Master the art of outdoor grilling! The Traeger Ironwood 650 pellet grill brings wood-fired flavor to your backyard BBQs. With its precise temperature control and smart features, you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, and more—like a true pitmaster.

Explore the Traeger Ironwood 650

Watch this awesome video to spice up your cooking!

• How much is a mcrib meal?
• When are green tomatoes in season?
• Is garlic an herb or a vegetable?
• How to cook chimichurri steak in the oven?
• Can you make whiskey out of old wine?
• How do you cook lamb leg steaks?
• Is Wolf Brand Chili gluten-free?
• Can you cook sirloin steak in slow cooker?

About Julie Howell

Julie has over 20 years experience as a writer and over 30 as a passionate home cook; this doesn't include her years at home with her mother, where she thinks she spent more time in the kitchen than out of it. She loves scouring the internet for delicious, simple, heartwarming recipes that make her look like a MasterChef winner. Her other culinary mission in life is to convince her family and friends that vegetarian dishes are much more than a basic salad. She lives with her husband, Dave, and their two sons in Alabama.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Flying with Breastmilk, Formula, and Baby Food: An Easy How-To Guide

• Post author By Melissa
• No Comments on Flying with Breastmilk, Formula, and Baby Food: An Easy How-To Guide

Any family traveling with a baby will inevitably face the challenge of transporting breastmilk or formula during a trip. Even if you exclusively breastfeed, a stash of milk, whether expressed breastmilk or formula, is one of the most essential travel items for babies .

Traveling, particularly by plane, can be very dehydrating. And you don’t want to be empty handed or helpless if you experience an unexpected dip in your supply or your baby needs to nurse more than usual.

This is why it’s important to always travel with breastmilk or emergency formula during the baby stage. While the idea of flying with breastmilk may seem daunting, it really isn’t complicated.

However, there are a few things to know about flying with breastmilk, liquid formula, or baby food that will make the process easier.

This guide covers the United States TSA guidelines regarding transporting pumped milk and includes personal tips and advice for flying with breastmilk, flying with formula, or taking baby food through airport security. 

Our experience flying with breastmilk

Our daughter was exclusively breastfed until she was about nine months old. We began traveling with her shortly after she was born. So, on more than one occasion, we had to fly with breast milk.

We even flew internationally a couple of times during those first months and brought expressed milk along for the journey.  In fact, when our daughter was 6 months old, we flew to Costa Rica for her first international trip. 

I was still breastfeeding almost exclusively but didn’t want to have an infant attached to my body the entire trip. So, we decided to travel with breastmilk that was previously pumped.

This was our first experience flying with breastmilk. We didn’t quite know what to expect, but luckily, our family and the breastmilk made it there safely. 

In that first year of our daughter’s life, we flew numerous times. We have successfully brought breast milk through airport security and have also flown with liquid formula, juice, and baby food without any issues.

What you need to know about flying with breastmilk or liquid formula

Although most things are more challenging when flying with a baby, airlines and airport security agents are more lenient when it comes to the tiniest of travelers.

Here are a few things to know about flying with breastmilk or other baby liquids.

TSA liquid limits don’t apply to breastmilk 

Although the TSA has a very small limit on the amount of liquids you can bring on a plane. The 3.2-ounce rule does not apply to breastmilk, liquid formula, or baby food.

You can actually bring large quantities of these liquids through airport security. Or as the TSA ambiguously puts it “ reasonable quantities ” of breastmilk are allowed in your carry-on bag.

With that said, we have personally brought about a dozen bags of breastmilk, some frozen and some fresh breast milk, through airport security without any problems.

Frozen gel packs are also allowed

Aside from bags of breastmilk or containers of liquid formula, you can also bring gel freezer packs through TSA to keep your liquids cool or frozen. Keep in mind, even in an insulated bag or cooler, ice packs do not stay frozen for more than a few hours.

If you plan to fly with frozen milk, be aware once it thaws completely you must use it within 24 hours. So, I would not recommend bringing too many bags of frozen breast milk on a long flight.

Consider giving your baby milk from your frozen stash in the days leading up to your trip. Pump when you would typically feed your little one to have a supply of fresh milk ready for your trip.

Breast pumps are typically allowed in addition to your carry-on and personal item

It is important to note that you can also bring a breast pump through TSA or airport security if you plan to pump while on your trip or vacation.

Breast pumps are considered a medical device. So, most airlines will not count them as part of the carry-on and personal item allowance. Be sure to check with your airline before your flight.

However, most will allow mothers to bring a breast pump in addition to their carry-on and personal item. Many breast pumps are somewhat bulky, which can make them challenging to travel with. However, there are some great travel breast pumps that are compact and easy to clean when on a trip.

You do not need to be traveling with your baby to fly with breastmilk

If you are a mother traveling solo and are still nursing, you will likely have to pump while on your trip to avoid discomfort and keep your milk supply up.

No mom wants to dispose of pumped breastmilk. (There is a reason they call it liquid gold!) But luckily, you don’t have to, at least if flying domestically within the United States.

The Transportation Security Administration allows you to fly with a reasonable quality of breastmilk, whether your baby is with you or not. However, that rule does not apply to flying with liquid formula .

Although, I don’t know why you would need to fly with formula if your baby is not with you. 

Taking breastmilk or liquid formula through airport security

If you plan to travel with breastmilk or liquid formula that needs to be kept cool, keep it in its own small bag rather than placing it in your carry-on luggage.

You are allowed to bring a separate bag for breast milk storage or formula in addition to your carry-on bag and personal item.

Keeping the liquids separate makes it easier for screening purposes. This is the bag I use and I demonstrated above how I pack it when flying with breastmilk. It is an insulated bag that serves as the perfect breast milk cooler, so the milk stays frozen or cold longer.

Let the TSA agent know your traveling with breastmilk or formula

When you arrive at the security checkpoint, tell the TSA agent you are flying with breastmilk or formula. Then, put the bag on the conveyor belt for inspection.  It will need to be sent through the X-ray machine.

Don’t worry, the X-ray machine does not harm the breastmilk .

If you do not want it to go through the X-ray machine, you will need to inform the agent. You can opt-out of X-raying the milk. In that case, however, your milk or formula will likely be opened and have to go through additional screening.

Security agents will test some of your milk

TSA will inspect, and even open your breastmilk to run tests on it. The process doesn’t take long and doesn’t taint the milk.

If traveling with powdered formula instead of liquid, you can also bring bottled water through security. You just need to specify that the water is for the baby. 

Allow extra time

Always when traveling with a baby or toddler, you should allow yourself extra time at the airport.

The additional screening of your milk will take some extra time, although not much, but you may also have extra gear, like a travel stroller that needs to be broken down, or a framed child carrier for a toddler , that will have to be removed and sent through the X-Ray machine.

However, if you plan to wear your baby in a baby carrier while traveling , most of them do not have to be removed to go through security screenings. In fact, babywearing at the airport is one of the best ways to save time and make flying with a baby easier.

Shipping breastmilk

Shipping breastmilk is an alternative to flying with breastmilk, and luckily there are companies that specialize in this. There are several options to easily and effectively ship breast milk.

Here are some convenient ways to ship breastmilk if you prefer to do so rather than fly with breastmilk.

• Milk Stork is a company dedicated exclusively to shipping breast milk. They send containers that you can fill and ship overnight.
• FedEx also has a milk shipping program, where they can overnight breastmilk in refrigerated containers. Similar to Milk Stork, you can pre-ordered milk bags to fill up. Then, just drop them off at a FedEx location for overnight delivery. 

What you need to know about flying with baby food

Traveling with baby food falls under the same category as traveling with breastmilk or formula, with a few exceptions.

You are allowed to bring enough for the duration of your trip. If you are gone for a week, that is quite a bit of baby food pouches or jars.

I recommend the baby food pouches when traveling with a baby and especially when traveling with a toddler . They are much easier to use on-the-go, and many older babies and toddlers can even feed themselves.  

Like breastmilk and formula, you will have to separate baby food from the rest of your carry-on luggage and declare it with the TSA officer.

They will likely inspect it and possibly open one of the containers. If that happens, plan to use that one first since once opened baby food should be used within a day.

Giving Your Baby a Bottle of Breastmilk or Formula on the Plane

If you prefer to give your baby a bottle instead of breastfeeding on a plane , you can request a cup of hot water from the flight attendant upon boarding. Put a bag of cold (not frozen) breast milk in the cup for a few minutes to warm it up, if your baby will not drink it cold.

The water can also be used to mix dry formula if needed.

Nursing or bottle-feeding during takeoff and landing will help avoid any ear discomfort for your little one caused by the pressure change when ascending or descending. 

Flying internationally with breastmilk, formula or baby food

While we have never personally had a problem flying internationally with breastmilk or baby food, it is important to note that other countries may not be as lenient.

Each country may have its own rules and restrictions that apply. Be sure to check with your airline or the international airport from which you will be flying prior to your trip. 

Although we have never had an issue, we have read stories of moms having to dump out breastmilk before their flight. 

Final thoughts on flying with breastmilk, formula or baby food

Whether you breastfeed, exclusively pump, formula feed or choose a combination of those methods, flying with breastmilk, formula, or even baby food and juice doesn’t have to be difficult. When you travel with breastmilk, baby food, or formula, plan to pack enough for an extra day or so.

Traveling can be unpredictable, flights can get cancelled, you may have an unanticipated long layover , and your trip may end up being longer than expected. So be prepared, and pack accordingly.

For this reason, we do not recommend traveling with breast milk in your checked luggage.

Do you have a question or comment about how to travel with breastmilk, formula, or baby food? We’d love to help. Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.

Like it? Pin these tips on flying with breastmilk to save for later!

Did you know…

When you make a purchase or book hotels, tours, or other travel services, through our links, we receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only EVER recommend service providers, websites, or products we personally use when booking our own travels. Your support enables us to keep producing helpful travel content. Thank you!

• Book a  HOTEL
• Book a  RENTAL CAR
• Purchase  TRAVEL INSURANCE
• Book guided tours or excursions at  GET YOUR GUIDE   or  VIATOR
• Book a  DESTINATION PHOTOGRAPHER
• Buy  TRAVEL GEAR  on Amazon
• Buy a  PRIORITY PASS MEMBERSHIP  for airport lounge access

Sharing is caring!

Related Posts:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign me up for the newsletter!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Genius tips, tricks & beautiful things, straight to your inbox every day.

© 2010-2021 Wow Media Products, Inc doing business as PureWow. All rights reserved.

How to Travel with Breast Milk, According to a Lactation Consultant

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here .

Feeding on demand, pumping to maintain supply, figuring out how to nourish a baby while working… nursing mothers know all too well that breastfeeding requires a good deal of logistics planning. And this is especially true when travel is involved. (Even on a sun-soaked beach, there’s nothing less relaxing than the sound of a hungry infant.)

Fortunately, we spoke with a lactation consultant and put together a guide on how to travel with breast milk that will help you worry less about your liquid gold, whether you’re on a plane, in a car, or just passing the buck to a shipping carrier.

Meet the expert

• Kata Arquilla is a lactation consultant, certified breastfeeding counselor, NICU Registered Nurse and founder of Bumble Baby .

How to Pack Breast Milk

The most important thing to consider when packing breast milk, be it fresh or frozen, is how to keep it cold. Fortunately, the solution is fairly simple and works for all kinds of travel. Per the expert, your best bet is to pack 3-ounce portions of frozen or fresh breast milk in a freezable lunch box, along with a gallon-size Ziploc bag of ice.

That said, Arquilla recommends packing fresh milk whenever possible—namely because it fares much better than frozen milk when kept at refrigerator temperatures of 40℉ and below (i.e., the coldest environment you’re likely to create while traveling). Per the CDC , freshly pumped milk can be stored for up to four days at refrigerator temperatures, while frozen milk must be used within 24 hours of thawing. (FYI: the 24-hour rule for frozen milk begins when the last ice crystal has melted.)

How to Travel with Breast Milk by Plane

Flying with liquids of any kind can be tricky but fear not: Arquilla has a hack for nursing moms. To start, you’ll need to pack your breast milk in 3-ounce portions in order to meet TSA regulations and preferably in storage bags specifically designed for the stuff, as they save space and ensure that the milk stays both fresh and secure. (Note: Larger quantities of “medically necessary liquids”—including breast milk—are permitted in your carry-on luggage, but they may need to be tested and that ordeal could seriously disrupt your travel plans.)

Once that’s done, place your collection of fresh or frozen breast milk baggies in a (frozen) freezable lunch box with an empty gallon-size Ziploc bag and toss the whole kit and kaboodle into your carry-on.

After you’ve made it through security, book it to the first airport bar or restaurant you can find and ask for the empty Ziploc bag to be filled with ice. Seal the bag of ice, stash it in the freezable lunch box with your milk, and you’re good to go. Again, keep in mind that your supply will last longer if you pack it fresh, not frozen—but the aforementioned hack will work either way. It’s also worth noting that Arquilla advises against packing breast milk in checked luggage whenever possible because “it’s not uncommon for flights to be delayed or bags lost, and if milk doesn’t stay at the right temperatures it will expire or spoil, which would be devastating!”

What About Your Breast Pump?

Wondering how you’ll replenish your milk stash while you’re away? Good news, friends: Arquilla tells us ( and the TSA confirms ) that a breast pump is considered a medical device, which means that you can tote it along at no additional cost without taking up any precious space in your carry-on or personal item.

How to Travel with Breast Milk by Car

Car, plane…it doesn’t make much of a difference as far as breast milk is concerned. If you’re taking a road trip, just follow the CDC guidelines and the practical advice above from the expert to keep the milk at 40 degrees or cooler for the entirety of the drive, so it stays fresh for four days (or 24 hours from thawing if the milk was previously frozen). The only real difference here is that you’ll have more room in the car than you would a cramped airplane, which means that an ice-filled cooler can easily replace the freezable lunch box—and might even be a more sensible choice, depending on how long you’ll be away and how much milk you plan on taking along.

Per the expert, another benefit of using a full-size cooler for road travel is that you can pump in the car without worrying about running out of storage space for the newly expressed milk. (Psst: Freshly pumped milk can be left out at room temperature for up to four hours, so you might even opt to feed your baby during the trip, before tapping into your cooler stock.) It’s also worth noting that breast milk doesn’t have to be separated into 3-ounce portions in this scenario—so feel free to fill up the storage bags as much as you please, while keeping in mind that any bottle of breast milk that has met your baby’s lips must be consumed within two hours or tossed.

How to Ship Breast Milk to Your Destination

If you’ve filled your carry-on with too many other essentials or loaded the car to max capacity, shipping your breast milk stash might be your best bet. If you choose to ship breast milk to your destination, you’re going to need to pack it in a Styrofoam cooler with dry ice. Yes, dry ice can be a little intimidating, but if you use gloves and follow the steps laid out in this tutorial , you’ll be just fine.

Prefer to hand the responsibility to a third party? No problem—just call up Milk Stork , a company that will pack and ship your breast milk and save you the bother.

Regardless of whether you handle the packing and shipping yourself or hire the pros, it’s important to time the shipment such that you or someone else will be available to receive and promptly store the milk upon delivery, so plan accordingly and keep your eye on the tracking updates.

How to Store Breast Milk (and Not Go Bust)

Freelance PureWow Editor

• Has 5+ years of experience writing family, travel and wellness content for PureWow
• Previously worked as a copy editor, proofreader and research assistant for two prominent authors
• Studied Sociology, Political Science and Philosophy in the CUNY Baccalaureate independent study program.