Storing and traveling breastmilk

[st0nehedge]

hi folks,

I will be taking my first cruise without our newest baby. So, I will need to pump and store milk during the cruise and bring it home to restock what is used while I'm away!

We will be on the Wonder to Alaska. I've heard there are only chill boxes and not true refrigerators. Would breastmilk be a valid enough reason for Disney to provide a fridge?

Does anyone have any experience with this situation?

I'd prefer to NOT pump and dump. ("Liquid gold" and all that...)

Thanks!

 

[Ruth B]

I would ask them, feels a good enough reason. Good luck.

 

[FamilyHolidayPlanner]

What age is baby? Wouldn't the milk need to be frozen rather than refridgerated? I don't think it would be safe to use after a week (or more) in a fridge

 

[TestingH2O]

What age is baby? Wouldn't the milk need to be frozen rather than refridgerated? I don't think it would be safe to use after a week (or more) in a fridge

But if she uses the oldest bags first, then nothing would bea week old. I assume this isn't all to build her stash. I think the trip home will be the tricky part. I've flown with frozen milk without trouble, but I don't know how just chilled would do.

 

[lanejudy]

I thought the Wonder now has mini-fridges like the rest of the fleet. That said, my concern would also be about freezing it and keeping it frozen for travel. As I recall, the mini-fridges are much like dorm or hotel fridges -- not particularly great for freezing. I don't believe DCL will provide anything else. I wouldn't feel comfortable with a week's worth of pumped milk that was only refrigerated, and then traveled in a cooler to get it home. TSA should allow the milk through, but the ice packs must be frozen solid or those aren't allowed.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[FigmentSpark]

One thing to consider... it may be 'liquid gold', but you can always make more for free. The hassle you are planning to go through to save the milk may not pay off in the end. Once you return home, he will have you and your immediate supply. While you may need some pumped in the future, do you need 7 days worth? If there's any chance you'll go through this and then dump it when you return home, it's probably not worth it.

I would certainly pump while on board, as you want to keep yourself ready and able to nurse, but maybe you don't need to save it all, if any.

 

[disneyholic family]

as everyone else has said, pump and dump seems to be the safer choice...not to mention, easier..

 

[sprousehouse]

Personally, I would ask about the fridge. It should be fine for a week. I was a donor and I kept milk in the fridge for that amount of time without a problem and then froze it. And I would never dump. If you don't think you can get it home I'm almost sure you could find someone in your final port who would want it (unless you take medications or have a medical condition that would make donation problematic). I twice donated while traveling and it was great! There are groups in almost every area now and most recipient moms are happy to travel for milk. I know my perspective in unique but I was able to share my overproduction with other moms and it was amazingly rewarding!

 

[BarbMike821]

Ask about the fridge, if not ... invest in a YETI or RTIC cooler and keep ice in it. Those suckers are capable of keeping ICE FOR DAYS. Not even kidding. Recently had a 5-night camping trip and still had ice in there on day 5 without replenishing it. They are crazy expensive, but totally worth it.

Do what you can to keep the liquid gold!!!!

 

[MunFam]

We used dry ice to fly milk home back in 2010...my job required travel...and so did the milk

 

[Cunningham Family 2017]

I see why you would want to save your milk. I have a 3 month old and recently had to dispose of 600 oz of milk due to high lipase making the milk unpleasant for baby girl. So I totally do feel your pain if you need to pump and dump. However it seems like a huge hassle to try and freeze it just to maintain your stash. I truly do get where your coming from though.
We always make more though.