This also applies to breast milk pumping equipment (regardless of presence of breast milk). Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk and juice - regardless of the presence of breast milk - are allowed in carry-on.

Yes, in 2026, you can fly with breastmilk ice packs in your carry-on luggage, and they are exempt from the standard 3.4oz (100ml) liquid rule. Under TSA and international security guidelines, ice packs, gel packs, and freezer packs are considered "medically necessary" items when used to cool breastmilk, formula, or infant food. Crucially, these packs are allowed even if they are slushy or partially melted at the time of screening. You do not even need to be traveling with your child to carry these items; many pumping parents traveling for work use them to bring milk home. When you reach the security checkpoint, you should remove the cooler and ice packs from your bag and inform the officer that you are carrying breastmilk supplies. They may perform additional screening, such as an explosive trace detection test on the outside of the containers, but they are not permitted to open the milk containers themselves. Always allow an extra 15 minutes for this specialized screening process to avoid rushing to your gate.