X-rays and backscatter scanning devices used in airports are safe for breastmilk and breastfeeding parents/caretakers. However, these devices do utilize low levels of radiation, which has raised some health concerns.1 2 3
X-rays used in airport screenings have no known effect on breastfeeding, human milk, or the process of lactation. Airlines typically consider breast pumps as personal items to be carried on board, similar to laptop computers, handbags, and diaper bags.4
Prior to departure, those who will be traveling by air and expect to have expressed milk with them during their travel need to carefully plan how they will transport the milk. Please note that airport security regulations for passengers carrying expressed milk vary internationally and are subject to change.
Breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours when you are traveling.
| Insulated cooler bag | 15ºC (59ºF) | 24 hours | Keep ice packs in contact with milk containers |
At your destination, use the milk right away, store it in the refrigerator, or freeze it. Also see, Handling Donor Milk and How can human milk be transported or shipped?
The medical preparation of a traveler who is breastfeeding differs only slightly from that of other travelers and depends in part on whether the breastfeeding parent and child will be separated or together during travel. Expressed milk is not considered a biohazard5 to which Universal Precautions apply. International Air Transport Authority (IATA) regulations for shipping Category Biological Substances (UN 3373) do not apply to expressed milk; it is considered food for individual use. Travelers shipping frozen milk should follow guidelines for shipping other frozen foods and liquids. Expressed milk does not need to be declared at US Customs upon return to the United States.6
_______________
- John Sedat. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2010. Letter of Concern
↩︎
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA ↩︎
- Health Physics News – Pregnancy and Security Screening ↩︎
- CDC – Traveler’s Health ↩︎
- Is Breastmilk a Biohazard? ↩︎
- Erica H. Anstey, Katherine R. Shealy. CDC Yellow Book. Chapter 7. Travel & Breastfeeding ↩︎
