Transporting frozen breastmilk and what to do if it defrosts

[IceCreamCastles]

I have approx 30oz of breastmilk in the freezer that I need to take in the car for about 4 or 5 hours.

I need it for a full day of feeds for DS (4.5 months) 2 days after we get to our destination so ideally it needs to go back in the freezer when we get there.

I've ordered a small coolbox and some ice packs and will pack it in tightly with newspaper etc. Will this keep it frozen?

And if not, what shall I do?

You're only supposed to keep bm 24 hours once defrosted but if it defrosts on the journey it will be 48 hours until it's needed.

I've read that it might be ok to refreeze partially thawed bm - anyone done this successfully?

I'll have some formula available in case it's unusable but it's taken me weeks to build up this little stash so I'd be gutted to waste it.

If it's well packed it shouldn't defrost - I have travelled about 6 hours with frozen bm in a coolbox with icepacks and it was still frozen at the other end.

Also you can keep refrigerated bm for longer, a few days I think, so if you're able to express some for a couple of days before you go and just keep it in the fridge rather than freeze it, you could use this on the 2nd day that you're away.

Yes- I'm going to do some for the fridge a few days before but can only get a couple of oz at a time.

Plus don't want to go mad expressing and increase supply too much when I'm going to be away from ds for a whole day- ouch!