I'm wondering if any moms have ever sent their breast milk on a plane with someone else, traveling without the child? TSA's website says a mother traveling with or without her infant can bring breast milk, but doesn't say anything about anyone else. Logically, there's no reason why it couldn't be someone else, and it's not like I could prove that it was my breast milk one way or the other if it was me, but I'm wondering if anyone has some experience one way or another since logic isn't always the rule with the TSA. My issue is that I've accrued a stash of milk while out of town for several weeks, my mom is coming to visit, then she's flying home and I'm driving (4 days - slowly with kids). It would be far easier to keep the milk frozen properly for a 3 hour trip than for 4 days in a car/hotels, but at 65 she's pretty obviously not carrying her own milk!
Based on their luggage configuration, we decided to send the milk in the checked bag. Surrounded by four gel packs and styrofoam, taped up, it made it about 6 hours fine (early checkin, 3 hour flight, 1 hour home). But I also called the TSA, and they said it would be fine in the carryon with the non-mother as long as it was declared at screening.
To address a couple other responses for posterity -- dry ice is banned on a plane in any form. Frozen liquid is liquid for TSA purposes - that's why the frozen fish people use veggies these days - so I'm really surprised frozen water bottles ever make it through. Breast milk and the gel packs used to cool it are an explicit exception. Also, "reasonable" quantities for breast milk (as opposed to liquid formula) are pretty high - I've had several friends and seen numerous other accounts (as with one of the posters) of people bringing several days worth of pumped milk back with no issue.
You can check a bag with breast milk - I did it about 3 or 4 times. I bought one of thoese resuable foil bags from the grocery store that keeps grocerys cold and loaded it up with ice and the stored breast milk. It wasn't frozedn, but it was stored properly and long enough to use asap without the liquid gold going bad!
If there's no child with her, then I would doubt they'd let her take it. When I flew with a bottle of breastmilk, I remember reading online first that they would allow a 'reasonable amount' for your flight. ie: One or two bottles for a 3-4 hour flight. If I were you, I'd get some dry ice and a small ice chest for your milk. You may have to buy dry ice a couple of times. OR dump the milk (I know, hard to do. It's like liquid gold!) But I honestly don't think TSA will let her thru with it.
Another idea: Perhaps she can CHECK the cooler with dry ice. Call the airline and ask if that's allowed. That'd be the best way. I think my FIL brought us frozen fish that way -- he packed the cooler inside his suitcase with the frozen fish and dry ice inside.
If she carried it in a checked bag, she probably wouldn't have a problem unlike trying to carry it through security. I would be more worried about it partially thawing during the trip. Since it's already frozen and you won't be able to use it all right away, which I assume since you're talking about a stash accrued over a few weeks and taking 4 days to drive home, I would be really worried about not being able to keep it frozen solid during the 3 hours on the plane, plus airport waiting time and travel to and from the airport time. You might be more successful with a good cooler and dry ice, which you could restock while on the road, but even then the chances aren't good for keeping the milk frozen solid so it's stays safe to use. I know it's hard to part with that hard-earned milk, but I personally wouldn't risk it partially thawing, refreezing it and giving it to my baby. I'm sorry!
I flew from Phx to Vegas and back and a couple of other places with breastmilk. Once was 5 days worth at 30oz/day, so a whole small cooler. I never had any problems, not even questions. I think they can tell what it is on their x-ray and let it through.
Yep, my MIL flew with my breast milk. She just put it in a soft bag with coolers inside and labeled it breast milk.
Only liquids are not allowed. I agree, it is easier to ship it in the suitcase but if there is a bagagge fee and your mom isn't shipping a bag there is no problem going thru TSA security with frozen solid bottles. I usually bring a frozen water bottle in my purse to keep my lunch cold. Once TSA did stop me and looked thru my bag,held up the frozen bottle and put it back in. Since it was not a liquid, there was no problem.
