Breast Pump
Breast pumps are allowed and, on most US airlines, don't count against your carry-on allowance since they're treated as a medical device.
Carry-on
Allowed
Checked
Allowed
Carry-on details
Allowed. TSA treats a breast pump as a medical device. It goes through the X-ray like any electronic item, and any pump parts, bottles, or cooler bags that hold breast milk get the same 3.4 oz liquids exemption breast milk itself has. On most major US carriers (including American, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, and Frontier), the pump and its cooler bag count as a free additional item beyond your usual carry-on and personal item — not every airline exempts it the same way, so it's worth confirming with your specific carrier before you fly.
Checked-bag details
Allowed, though carry-on is strongly recommended to keep the device with you and avoid a delay in checked-bag delivery interrupting your pumping schedule.
Special instructions
If you're carrying ice packs or frozen gel packs to keep milk cold, those are allowed too, even partially frozen — declare everything liquid-related to the TSA officer separately from your quart-size bag.
FAQ
- Does a breast pump count as my carry-on bag?
- On most major US airlines, no — it's treated as a free additional item beyond your standard carry-on and personal item, since it's classified as a medical device. Policies vary by airline, so confirm with your carrier before flying.
- Can I bring pump parts and bottles through security?
- Yes. Pump parts, bottles, and cooler bags used for breast milk get the same liquids exemption as breast milk itself and don't need to fit in your quart-size bag.
Related items
Source: TSA — What Can I Bring? · Last verified: 2026-08-02
Final decision rests with the security officer at the checkpoint.