Flying With Breast Milk

by KT
(CT)

My experience with US, SNA/John Wayne Airport, Orange County, CA...

I was away for 5 days on business and pumped the entire time.

I took extra care to make sure milk was properly stored.

I considered shipping it, but was concerned about the cost and the guarantee that it would not be kept in a hot location for any point.

I packed approximately 80 oz of milk in zip lock bags with 3 lbs dry ice in an igloo cooler.

Most of the people at the airport were respectful and very helpful, although I felt I had to work extra hard to convince them that this was necessary...then I got to the checkpoint and they asked me to send the cooler through the x-ray scanner, which of course I did.

At this point I was exhausted and frazzled after having to take everything out of my pockets, carryon, etc.

A few hours after arriving home I now wonder if I did the right thing sending it through or if this should have been questioned. I am not certain of the effects of the x-ray radiation on the frozen milk and further wonder if all my hard work and good intentions are now worthless.

This is probably one of the most frustrating experiences of my entire life and I have done a lot of traveling prior to being a mother. I had no idea how difficult this is, and have the greatest respect and empathy for nursing mothers who have come before me.