Got (Breast) Milk?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently announced that the restrictions on bringing breast milk onto a plane have been modified.  Previously, the only way a mom would be allowed to bring breast milk onto a plane would be if the child was traveling with her.  Effective August 4, 2007, so long as the milk is declared at security, mom is permitted to take more than 3 ounces onboard, even if the child is not present.  The reason for the change is that breast milk is now considered a "medical necessity" and should be treated as such.

According to the TSA Press Release,

"The procedural adjustments were developed based on process and effectiveness studies, feedback from the workforce and regular consultation with airports, airlines and other security partners. This marks the third modification to security procedures within the last year. On August 10, 2006, a complete ban on liquids, gels and aerosols was implemented immediately following the thwarted terror plot in the United Kingdom, and the update to those measures permitting travel-size amounts of liquids went into effect in September of 2006."

This is good news for moms who have to travel for business or family emergencies without their babies.  You no longer have to resort to "pumping and dumping" to keep up your milk supply, or expensive Fed Ex shipping.  The TSA does not mention whether frozen ice packs to keep the milk cool during the flight will be permitted.  I hope they will show some common sense on this, but you might want to pack some plastic bags in your carry-on, just in case.  If they won't allow the freezer gel-pack with the breast milk, use the bags to get ice from a concession stand inside the airport terminal and try to keep the milk cool that way.

After 9/11, there were reports that women with infants were forced by overzealous TSA officers to chug bottles of breast milk to prove that it was what they said it was.  According to the TSA FAQ on this topic, no traveler will be asked to taste test it under the new regulations. 

Just think, it only took a year, and some really bad press for them to figure this out.  I wrote some tips for traveling without baby while breastfeeding in a previous post. 

Comments

[Nicole/wksocmom]

Wow, it's about time. There's a lot less chance you'll actually need to carry pumped milk if you have your baby with you, duh!