Traveling to Mexico with Breast Milk? Here’s What You Need to Know

Traveling to Mexico for a company off-site, or a much-deserved vacation away from baby? Here’s how to get every last drop of liquid gold home safely.

Between its rich history, architecture, culture, beautiful beaches, and diverse terrain, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s truly no wonder that Mexico is one of the world’s most visited destinations.

At this time of year, tourists and business travelers flock to Mexico. During high season (December through April), traveling to Mexico is especially appealing because of the dry climate in most parts of the country.

Traveling to Mexico with Breast Milk

As with all travel plans for pumping parents, traveling to Mexico with breast milk will take a little extra effort. Every country has its own regulations for carrying breast milk on board in your carry-on luggage. Mexico is one of the few countries that allows you to carry on breast milk or formula as long as your baby is present.

This policy is extremely vague and doesn’t specify a quantity limit with or without baby, or whether frozen breast milk is permitted. When we contacted the Mexican Consulate of Washington D.C. for further clarification on whether breast milk could be frozen or refrigerated, they referred us to the same policy website.

So what if you’re traveling to Mexico for a company off-site, or a much-deserved vacation away from baby? Don’t worry. With a little extra planning, you can still pump on schedule and get every last drop of liquid gold home safely.

At the Airport

In Mexico, you will be asked where you baby is if you have milk in your carry-on luggage. It’s up to the airport security officer to make the final call on whether or not you’ll be allowed to proceed to the gate with your pumped breast milk. That scenario is full of uncertainty, which is why we strongly recommend packing your breast milk in your checked luggage.

Carrying Your Breast Milk Home

Packing pumped breast milk in your checked luggage helps eliminate any uncertainty about the status of your breast milk (frozen or refrigerated), quantity limits, and is not dependent on whether or not your baby is traveling with you. Milk Stork offers the International Freeze & Check for frozen breast milk. Remember: Checked luggage may still be subject to inspection in Mexico or by TSA in the United States.

Ordering Your Milk Stork Cooler

When you’re ready to order your Milk Stork cooler, you have two delivery options:

1. Deliver your empty cooler to your home address
2. Deliver your empty cooler to your hotel in Mexico

You’ll have to confirm with your hotel beforehand that you can receive a delivery and where to pick it up when you arrive. If you’re planning ahead and want to order your cooler weeks or months in advance of your trip, we recommend having it shipped to your house and bringing the empty cooler with you in your checked luggage.

FAQ

Q: Are there specific airlines with more accommodating policies towards traveling with breast milk to and from Mexico? 
A: Call your airline ahead of time to find out what their breast milk travel policy.

Q: How do Mexican airport security protocols for breast milk vary between different airports within Mexico?
A: Airport security protocols may vary by airport in Mexico and even by airport security member. We recommend calling your airline ahead of time and following the suggestions above for traveling to Mexico with breast milk.

Q: What are some real-life experiences or case studies of parents traveling with breast milk to Mexico, including any challenges faced and solutions found?
A: Mom and photographer Kristin Reuter shares her detailed experience traveling with breast milk to Mexico on her blog.

Did you know that you can order your Milk Stork cooler months in advance? It’s one fewer thing to worry about! View our full lineup of medical-grade coolers here.