Whether you’re headed to the grocery store or Grandma’s house, traveling with breast milk doesn’t have to be a hassle. With a little advance planning, you can make sure your precious cargo stays safe and fresh. Here are some tips for traveling with breast milk by car.
There are several things to consider when traveling with breast milk by car:
Pumping Breast Milk While Traveling by Car:
If you’re traveling with a baby, you may need to pump breast milk while you’re on the road. If you have an electric breast pump, be sure to pack the pump in your carry-on bag so it doesn’t get lost or damaged in transit. If you’re using a manual breast pump, you may want to pack it in your checked luggage.
Storing Breast Milk While Traveling by Car:
If you’re traveling with expressed breast milk, you’ll need to store it properly to keep it fresh. You can store breast milk in bottles or bags designed for breast milk storage. Be sure to pack enough ice packs or frozen gel packs to keep the breast milk cold during your trip.
Keeping Breast Milk Cold While Traveling by Car:
If you’re traveling with breast milk that needs to stay cold, pack it in a cooler with ice packs. If you’re going on a long trip, bring along a small freezer bag and store the milk in the freezer until you’re ready to use it. Another way to keep breast milk cold while traveling is to pack it in a thermal bag with ice packs.
Thawing Breast Milk While Traveling by Car:
If you’re traveling with frozen breast milk, be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before you leave. If you’re traveling with fresh breast milk, you can use a cooler with ice packs to keep it cool for up to 24 hours. Of course, if you don’t want to worry about time, you can use portable breast milk warmer to thaw and warm your breast milk while you’re on the go.
Warming Breast Milk While Traveling by Car:
If you’re traveling with fresh or thawed breast milk, you can use portable breast milk warmer to heat it up. You can also pack a thermos of hot water and use it to warm the milk once you’ve reached your destination. Just be sure to test the milk on your wrist before feeding it to your baby to make sure it’s not too hot.
Traveling with breast milk by car doesn’t have to be a hassle. With a little advance planning, you can make sure your precious cargo stays safe and fresh. Use these tips to make traveling with breast milk by car a breeze.
How long can breast milk sit in the car?
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, such as the temperature outside and inside the car, how long the car journey is, etc. In general, however, it is best to err on the side of caution and not let breast milk sit in the car for longer than 2 hours. If possible, try to keep breast milk cooler by storing it in a cooler with ice packs, or using a thermal bag with ice packs. If you need to thaw frozen breast milk, be sure to do so in the refrigerator overnight before leaving for your trip. And of course, always test the temperature of the milk on your wrist before feeding it to your baby. Nevertheless, according to Kids Health, breast milk that has been sitting in a car for more than 2 hours should be thrown away.
Can you use dry ice to transport breastmilk?
Dry ice can be used to transport breast milk, but you need to take care when handling it. Dry ice is very cold and can cause serious burns if it comes into contact with your skin. When using dry ice to transport breast milk, be sure to use gloves and tongs to handle the dry ice, and store the milk in a well-insulated container. Be extra careful if you’re using a Styrofoam cooler, as dry ice can cause the cooler to break. Never put your face near dry ice, and never touch it with your bare hands.
Breast milk is best for babies and traveling with it doesn’t have to be difficult. There are a few things to keep in mind when traveling with breast milk, though. Make sure the breast milk is fresh and that you have a way to keep it cool. You can use a small cooler or insulated bag with ice packs.
When packing breast milk, be sure to label it with the date and your baby’s name. You’ll also want to keep it away from other food so that it doesn’t get contaminated. When you’re ready to travel, but the breast milk in a secure spot in the car where it won’t get jostled around too much. And of course, always make sure you have a clean, safe place to pump or feed your baby when you reach your destination.
