Jul 07 2008
How to bring home EBM from traveling
As I was trying to re-write this post, I got lazy. Yes, I wrote “RE-WRITE” because I realized I’ve written this before for MMB.
Well, bringing home EBM is not a new stuff. I learnt it from a supermom, SiawFui in MMB, and improved it as I have more experience, and with the change of airline rules etc. When I came back from New Zealand, I received lots of enquiries on how to do that. As SF was my guru in this, I consulted her. She suggested that we write an article and place in the FAQ area.
Though 4 years have come and gone, the tips in the article is still useful and valid. So, I think instead of re-writing it, I’ll just provide links to that article, which is now split into 4 parts after Lilian revampt the pages:
http://www.mymomsbest.com/travelling.htm
http://www.mymomsbest.com/travelling-and-breastfeeding-pt-2.htm
http://www.mymomsbest.com/travelling-and-breastfeeding-pt-3.htm
http://www.mymomsbest.com/travelling-and-breastfeeding-pt-4.htm
In the articles, we have provided tips like:
- What do you need?
- How to choose the right cooler box?
- How to store the EBMs when traveling?
- Where and when to express?
- Ensuring EBMs safe in hotel freezer
- Sterillize pumps when travling
- Transporting EBMs home
- Custom/security issues at airport (though a bit out dated)
We also provided pictures of our pumps and cooler boxes. But I have to admit these articles cover only shorter distance, for traveling within this region.
2 years ago when I traveled to US when Isabel was still a baby, I had to bring back frozen EBM in more than 30 hours journey. I did it twice. Once very successful, once nearly failed (due to not enough frozen milk to fill the space) as some milk already thawed. The tips in the above article won’t help. It was a total new experience for me. If you want to know how I did it, read EBM from Chicago and New York.
In fact, I wrote quite a lot in this category Brfg: Travel. Do check it out, coz I have shared some challenges following the liquid ban policy, about my experience in Manila and in China Guangzhou. Things are definitely getting more and more challenging and nasty for us breastfeeding moms. That’s when we feel we need support the most!
Hi there! Not sure if u remember me. I’m the one who wrote to you before and working in Miri.
Anyway, am planning my trip this November and hopefully will be able to express lots of BM and transport all the way from Holland-KL-Miri. I think total journey will take something like 18 hrs (including stopovers). I was wondering if frozen EBM kept in cooler bags together with the ice (that comes with the cooler bags) and wrapping up the coller bags with lots of clothes will withstand the whole trip? I plan to put it in my checked in luggage as I don’t think I’d be able to handcarry it during thr Holland-KL route.
M: I think I know who you are – you and I work in the same company? Sorry for the late response coz I was busy to clear some backlogs due to taking few days off (mom admited to hospital).
Wow, going to Holland! If you are keeping frozen EBM in cooler bags (soft), they might melt pretty quickly. For long distance, I would recommend that you use cooler box (hard). It can keep cold for a longer time and the container can be checked in separately. Also, importantly it can store more than the usual cooler bags.
I’m sure if you go to Holland, it would not be just 1 or 2 days trip. If it is 5-6 days (in total, including journey), then a small to medium cooler box would be good. Would you be in KL office a while? If so, I can even lend mine to you!
[...] have been sharing over here in this blog, about how I transported my precious expressed breast milk from overseas. Even so, there are still a lot of questions coming in, for more detail. It is actually quite hard [...]