How To Pack Breast Milk For A Day Out?
If you’re thinking about going on a day trip with your young one but are unsure of how to transport your expressed breast milk, this post is for you.
In this article, we’ll explain the easiest and safest ways to transport your liquid gold so you may travel stress-free and without having to worry about nursing your children in public. Go on reading!
How Should You Pack Frozen Breastmilk for a Day Out?
Breast milk that has been frozen must still be kept in a cooler bag or hard cooler if you choose to carry it. So that your baby won’t have to wait for their first feeding, you might need to make sure that at least one baby bottle or breast milk storage bag is thawed in advance.
Always keep in mind that heating or thawing breast milk in the microwave might influence the antibodies and risk scorching the baby. Instead, submerge it under running water or immerse it in a dish of warm water.
Also, make sure the storage containers are well-sealed before putting frozen breast milk in them. Frozen ice packs or normal ice are also acceptable options for this; however, dry ice may be preferred.
A thorough coverage of all breast milk containers is crucial, so make sure of that. To do this, fill the cold box, cooler, or cooler bag to the sides, top, and bottom with ice. Keep in mind that dry ice may need to be ventilated if you want to use it.
It’s a good idea to take extra breast milk, whether it’s fresh or frozen milk, in case something goes wrong or part of it spills. Additionally, you should confirm that the cooler is fully stocked.
Fill the cooler or bag to the top with ice if you don’t need to pack enough extra milk to fill it. You don’t want the bags or portable bottles containing your breast milk to be knocked around inside the cooler right?
How Should You Pack Fresh Breastmilk for a Day Out?
Bottles or silicone bags can be used to package fresh milk. A compact breast milk cooler is the ideal method to transport breast milk if you just need enough for a few feedings.
Many mothers use these coolers to transport their breast milk to the babysitter before dropping the child off at daycare or to transport their milk home from work after pumping throughout the workday.
If you just need enough milk for a day or less, these coolers make the best travel bags. Make sure the one you select can retain as much breast milk as your baby will require for the excursion.
To keep the milk cold for a longer time, it is recommended to use cooler bags that are insulated. Additionally, you should place ice packs near the breast milk canisters inside the cooler.
Choose a larger cooler bag or even a hard cooler to store your breast milk if you need to carry greater quantities. Instead of using the ice packs for this option. You might choose to place ice around the milk bottles or bags, but either would be appropriate.
It’s conceivable that you have plenty on hand because breast milk stays well in the refrigerator for up to four days. Whereas this time duration extends up to 24 hours in the case of cooler. After then, it may need to be thrown away.
If you want to keep your baby’s milk in a cooler or cooler bag. You might need to include a thermometer. Hospital recommendations state that milk bottles or bags should always be in touch with ice packs or ice throughout storage. 15 to 4 degrees Celsius, or 39 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, should be the inside temperature of the cooler or bag.
Additionally, you should avoid repeatedly opening and shutting the cooler or bag because doing so can increase the temperature and reduce the amount of time the milk can be stored safely.
How Should You Pack Breastmilk for a Plane Trip?
Depending on how long your flight will be. It is recommended to put breast milk in a hard cooler or cold box. Additionally, dry ice is preferable, therefore, the cold box will need to be ventilated. The same procedure should be followed while freezing breast milk. Call the airline you want to fly with in advance to inquire about their policies regarding breast milk.
Breast milk and infant or baby formula are both permitted in carry-on bags, as long as they are packed “within reasonable proportions,” according to the TSA – Transportation Security Administration.
For it to be checked separately from your other items, you must take your breast milk, breast pump, etc. out of your carry-on bag. Even if your child is not traveling with you on the aircraft. You are still permitted to bring breast milk with you. Breast milk in carry-on bags must adhere to these precise regulations; checked bags are not subject to any restrictions.
Given everything else you need to prepare, it could seem overwhelming to pack frozen milk for a flight. A hungry baby will just make matters worse. Flying with a baby might be considerably more stressful. So, you should pack enough fresh breast milk in your carry-on to last the duration of the flight. This will eliminate the frustration of trying to pump or nurse an unhappy infant on an airplane.
Final Thoughts
One of the most difficult chores associated with parenthood is certainly nursing a child. Your social life generally suffers because of the job, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Because of how advanced technology is today, we shouldn’t worry about it.
You need breaks occasionally, whether you work a 9–5 job or remain at home. In some manner, you will enjoy a day out. Furthermore, you cannot allow your baby’s undernutrition to ruin a pleasant day for you. To that end, we have included instructions on how to carry breast milk for a day trip and other how-tos.