Expressed milk and sterilisation dilemmas

[monstertufts]

We're going to be flying long-haul very soon, and I'm planning to take some expressed milk for my 9 month old. I have never given him expressed milk before. I have read that there is no need to sterilise feeding equipment once they're older than 6 months, but does this still apply if I'm going to be storing and transporting the milk? Should I sterilise the containers I use to store and refrigerate it, for example? And what's the best way to keep it cold in my hand luggage (I'm assuming it's important to keep it cold)?

i wouldnt worry about sterilising

if you are taking it on the plane expect to be asked to drink some first [bleugh i had to do that]

why are you taking expressed milk? If you are on a plane its probably far easier to breast feed direct

Thanks for the advice! I'm taking expressed milk because I'm worried about having enough space. DS is a very long 9 month old - he's already too big for 9-12 month babygros.

Yep, not looking forward to having to drink my own BM!

when i checked in i told them i was BFing, and i was given a thing of 2 seats to myself... they couldnt do this if the plane was full, but with just 1 spare seat im sure they will let you too.

i literally just said "i will be BFing my baby so i need an aisle seat", and with that they said, dont worry, we will insure the seat next to you is free

I stored my expressed breastmilk in the fridge in pre-sterilised bags (which you can buy in Tesco or Boots), and then put it in sterilised bottles when feeding DS.

You should continue sterilising bottles until baby's a year old. The advice about stopping sterilising after 6 months relates more to sippy cups, bowls and spoons.

Expressed breast milk should be kept cool until you're ready to use it. I got a cooler bag with a cool pack to keep it cold when out and about.

I think current advice about storing expressed breastmilk is that it's okay at room temp for up to 6 hours, or okay in a cooler bag with cool pack for up to 24 hours (if refrigerated previously).

breast milk isnt like formula though

and there are lots of arguements that stuff that comes into contact with breastmilk doesnt need sterilising in the same way that it would with formula.

washing in clean hot water and air drying is fine