The Ultimate Guide to Breast Milk Shipping and Its Benefits

Breast milk shipping is the process of packaging, refrigerating, and transporting expressed human milk from one location to another using a specialized carrier service. It ensures that the milk remains safe, cold, and nutritionally viable during transit to be fed to the baby upon arrival.

It's a specialized logistics solution, often utilizing medical-grade coolers, and fast shipping to maintain the integrity of the milk. Standard shipping or DIY methods often fall short of the temperature-controlled environment required to keep milk safe over long distances or extended periods.

• Insulated Coolers: Thick-walled, medical-grade containers designed to maintain temperature.
• Temperature Control: Using specialized cooling technology to keep milk at refrigeration temperature.
• Proper Packaging: Milk is stored in sealed, durable, breast milk storage bags, typically double-bagged for safety.
• Overnight or Expedited Delivery: Choosing fast shipping options minimizes transit time and the risk of spoiling.

• TSA/Airline Restrictions: While breast milk is an exception to the 3.4 oz liquid rule, dealing with screening and limited space in carry-ons can be cumbersome.
• Wasted Milk: Parents who cannot get their milk home, may put the effort into pumping only to have to throw out the milk.
• Logistical Hassles: Specialized services simplify the process by providing all necessary materials and coordinating pick-up, allowing the parent to focus on their work or travel.

2. Support for Military and Deployed Families

Military life often involves unpredictable Temporary Duty (TDY), Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves, or deployments. Breast milk shipping is a critical support system:

• Financial Relief: The Department of Defense (DoD) has updated its policy to offer reimbursement for breast milk shipping expenses (up to $1,000 for TDY or PCS), recognizing the essential nature of this service for military families.
• Continuity of Care: It allows deployed or traveling Service members to continue providing their milk for their baby back home, supporting both the baby's health and the parent's continued milk supply.

3. Surrogacy and Milk Donation

Breast milk shipping is essential for surrogacy arrangements where the gestational carrier provides milk to the intended parents, often across state lines. It is also needed when donating milk to milk banks, where the milk is pasteurized and provided to fragile infants who need it most.

• Pack Tight: Minimize air space in the cooler by filling gaps with crumpled newspaper or bubble wrap. This aids insulation.
• Ship Early in the Week: To avoid weekend transit delays where packages might sit in a non-temperature-controlled facility, aim to ship on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.
• Use Tracking: Always choose a service that provides tracking so both the sender and the recipient know exactly when the milk will arrive and can arrange immediate storage.
• Work with a reputable milk cooling and shipping company, like Healthy Horizons.

Breast milk shipping removes a major barrier to continued breastfeeding during separation, offering peace of mind and tangible support to parents no matter where life takes them.