Last update May 21, 2021

Airtravel, Traveling by air

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

There is no medical reason that prevents breastfeeding or expressing breast milk during air travel

Many countries protect breastfeeding in public, including on public transport. Most airlines authorize breastfeeding on their planes, including during takeoff and landing, as long as the baby is well restrained by its own or additional seat belt. It is advisable to previously consult the breastfeeding policy of the countries visited, and of the airports and airlines that will be used on the trip (Curry 2019).

It is advisable to breastfeed on demand during the trip, especially during takeoff and landing to alleviate the discomfort of the baby caused by decompression of the middle ear (CDC 2020, Mayo Clinic 2020, Curry 2019, Dieste 2019, Consumer 2013).

It is advisable to purchase airline tickets in advance to be able to choose more comfortable seats for breastfeeding (LLLI 2018, Consumer 2013), wear clothes that are comfortable to breastfeed in narrow places with mobility difficulties (Curry 2019, Dieste 2019, LLLI 2018) and plan to bring bottled water to stay well hydrated while breastfeeding (Curry 2019).
Breastfeeding in the airplane bathroom is not recommended because it is narrow and unsanitary (Curry 2019).

If the nursing mother is traveling without her baby and must express breast milk, the breast pump is considered carry-on baggage that can be carried on board, just like a laptop or a handbag (CDC 2020). It should be carried in a separate bag, if possible with the labels that explain what it is, to avoid unnecessary delays at the airport controls.

Depending on the length of the flight, the expressed breast milk will be stored in the mother’s cooler or in the plane’s freezer if possible (Curry 2019).
Expressed breast milk does not usually have the quantity limitations (100 ml) of the rest of the liquids to be transported (CDC 2020, TSA 2020), and can be carried in containers of up to 2 liters in the UK, Canada, USA and some EU countries, and also it is not necessary to be accompanied by the baby (LLL 2020). You must consult the regulations of each country on the maximum amount of milk that can be carried in containers and declare it as breast milk and carry it in a bag separate from the rest of the liquids.

If you travel with a breast pump or bags of expressed milk, it is advisable to go to the airport with more time than normally advisable to pass the security controls.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Airtravel, Traveling by air is also known as Air travel, airplane travel. Here it is a list of alternative known names::


Group

Airtravel, Traveling by air belongs to this group or family:

References

  1. CDC. Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades. Recomendaciones de viaje para familias lactantes. Continúe amamantando a su bebé o extrayéndose leche cuando viaje. None 2020 Consulted on Nov. 20, 2020 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. Mayo Clinic. Is air travel safe for an infant? 2020 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Mayo Clinic. ¿Son seguros los viajes aéreos para un bebé? 2020 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Erica H. Anstey, Katherine R. Shealy Travel & Breastfeeding. Yellow Book. Chapter 7. Family Travel. 2020 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Travel Recommendations for Nursing Families. Continue breastfeeding your baby or expressing milk when traveling. 2020 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. TSA. Transportation Security Administration (USA). Traveling with Children. Formula, Breast Milk, and Juice. 2020 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. LLL. La Leche League UK. Department for Transport Makes Flying Easier For Breastfeeding Mothers 2020 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. Kotlen, Melissa. Guidelines for Taking Breast Milk on an Airplane. Verywell Family. 2020 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  9. Dieste, Magdalena. Viajar en avión con un bebé. Por acá y por allá. 2019 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  10. Curry, Paula. Breastfeeding On A Plane – Is It Legal? What You Need To Know. Thru Parenting. 2019 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. LLLI. Diana Cassar. Traveling with Your Breastfed Child? Enjoy the Trip! 2018 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  12. Consumer. Lactancia materna y viajes, ¿cómo hacerla más cómoda? 2013 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

Total visits

4,195

Help us improve this entry

How to cite this entry

Do you need more information or did not found what you were looking for?

   Write us at elactancia.org@gmail.com

e-lactancia is a resource recommended by Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - 2015 of United States of America

Would you like to recommend the use of e-lactancia? Write to us at corporate mail of APILAM