QUICK TIP: To ship breastmilk safely, you’ll need to fully freeze your milk, pack it in an insulated breastmilk shipping kit, add ice sheets if needed, choose the right shipping speed, and use a discounted UPS or FedEx label. Below is the full step-by-step process.
Shipping frozen breastmilk can feel overwhelming the first time, especially when every ounce matters. Whether you’re traveling for work, relocating with the military, shipping milk home from a conference, or navigating a surrogate journey, properly packing and shipping breastmilk helps protect your hard-earned stash and gives peace of mind along the way.
At Save The Milk, we’ve helped moms safely ship breastmilk across the United States since 2017 using reusable insulated shipping kits and discounted UPS and FedEx shipping labels.
Step 1: Fully Freeze Your Breastmilk
Before shipping, make sure your breastmilk is completely frozen.
Tips:
• Freeze milk flat to save space
• Put milk bags into Ziploc bags to help with leaks
• Organize milk by date if needed
• Keep milk frozen until you are ready to pack
Step 2: Choose the Right Breastmilk Shipping Kit
Not every cooler or shipping box is designed to keep breastmilk frozen during transit. Using an insulated breastmilk shipping kit helps maintain safe temperatures while reducing stress during travel.
Save The Milk Shipping Kits are reusable and designed specifically for shipping frozen breastmilk with UPS and FedEx.
We offer multiple kit sizes depending on:
• The amount of milk being shipped
• Hotel stay
• Freezer access
Step 3: Add Ice Sheets
Proper cold support is essential when shipping frozen breastmilk, especially if you have empty space.
Our shipping kits come with ice sheets, but you may not need to use them. If you can completely fill the kit with frozen breastmilk and leave little to no empty space, there is often no need to use ice sheets.
For best results:
• Surround the milk evenly
• Reduce empty air space
• Keep the cooler tightly packed
The less movement inside the box, the better the insulation performs.
Step 4: Choose the Best Shipping Speed
Choosing the right shipping speed depends on:
• Weather
• Destination
• Milk volume
In many situations:
• Overnight shipping offers the lowest risk
• 2-day shipping may work for larger shipments and colder months
Save The Milk provides discounted UPS and FedEx shipping labels to help moms compare rates and delivery speeds instantly.
👉 Compare Breastmilk Shipping Rates
Step 5: Ship Early in the Week
The best time to ship breastmilk is usually Monday and Tuesday.
This helps reduce the risk of weekend delays or packages sitting in transit longer than expected.
Wednesday still works for overnight labels, but Thursday shipments run the risk of weekend delays for next day delivery and are not suitable for 2-day labels. Friday shipments require a special label for Saturday delivery.
Step 6: Label and Seal Your Box Carefully
Are you staying at a hotel? Save The Milk offers concierge services and can call your hotel in advance to determine if your breastmilk can be frozen during your stay.
If freezer access is unavailable, we can arrange a custom kit with instant ice packs designed to help keep your milk cold and frozen for up to 24 hours.
👉 Start Your Free Concierge Service
Before shipping:
• Securely tape the box seams
• Attach the shipping label clearly
• Verify the delivery address
• Confirm carrier pickup and drop-off times
If shipping from:
• Hotels
• Conferences
• Airbnbs
• Military housing
• Hospitals
Make sure you understand the facility’s freezer and pickup procedures ahead of time.
Why Moms Choose Save The Milk
• Concierge services for hotel stays
• Reusable breastmilk shipping kits
• Discounted UPS & FedEx labels
• Educational shipping support
• Multiple kit sizes
• Support for military moms, surrogates, and traveling families
Common Questions About Shipping Breastmilk
Can you ship frozen breastmilk?
Yes. Frozen breastmilk can safely be shipped using insulated breastmilk shipping kits and proper cold packing methods.
How long does frozen breastmilk stay frozen during shipping?
This depends on the amount of frozen milk being shipped.
• Big Box, Standard, Medium, and Mini kits are designed to keep milk frozen for up to 48 hours
• Tiny Tote kits are designed to keep milk frozen for up to 24 hours
Properly packed shipments often stay frozen for overnight and many 2-day shipments.
Can I ship breastmilk home while traveling?
Absolutely. Many moms ship breastmilk home from:
• Work trips
• Conferences
• Vacations
• Military relocations
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