How do you pass through airport security with baby formula?

Question

We're going to the US with our 9 week old baby who is formula fed. How do we take formula feeds through airport security? (no liquids). There's the problem once through of having cooled boiled water that's ready to go on demand...Is there a way to store boiled water once through security? What container did you use? (flask unsuitable as it remains hot) did anyone use bottled water?

Answer 1

You can either take the baby milk ready made up to serve (in which case you must be prepared to drink some of it in front of the security staff). Alternatively, take the powder without any problems.



You cannot take the cooled bolied water, but you can buy bottled water in the departure lounge once you are through security. Also, the cabin crew can supply you with high quality water.

Answer 2

I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my children.



Airport security usually allows liquids through the airport in "reasonable" amounts, if they are intended for the baby.



I assume that your baby take powdered formula. This is much easier than ready-made and outside the U.S., in some countries like the U.K. they make you open ready-made, which means it could go off during your journey. Don't take any ready-made both for convenience and for getting through security.



Since there is no health advantage to a warmed bottle, instead of bringing boiled water, bring baby-suitable bottled water (like Evian or Vittel, it will be marked on the label) at room temperature. This way, you'll be able to feed your baby quickly and easily at any point of your journey. You then wont have to pfaff with any thermos, etc. For such a long journey, it will be MUCH easier to travel with just water bottles.



Also, I highly recommend the bottles with disposable liners. Avent, Playtex and some others use these. Traditional bottles are difficult to clean on airplanes. The sinks in the lavs are very low and a long stiff bottle wont fit. If you use these types of bottles, you will only have to wash the nipple and ring.



I pre-measured the powder at home before leaving and rolled the liners up. I put them in a zip-lock bag to keep them clean and then simply threw them away as I went. All I had to do while travelling was add water and shake. I could take A LOT like this so I was covered if there had been a delay.



Make sure though that you have enough bottled water. Do NOT depend on getting enough on board. We always ran out of bottled water on the airplane after the first service and there wasn't enough for formula-fed babies. Bring one or two from home and then give yourself enough time to buy water in the terminal, once you're past security. The water on the airplane is filtered tap and I've never heard of anything happening because of it so talk to your doctor if he or she thinks it can be given to your baby.



For more information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;

http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com



Have a good time in America!

Answer 3

what you could do is either buy the premixed cartons and be willing to try it or take the formula mixed with water and sample it when you get to security,

Or what you could do have a flask with not boiling but drinkable hot water then when you get to the search area try it there it should be cooler.

carry a small bit of cold water which was boiled (it would be cleaner than just plain old tap water) have it in a baby bottle so if the water in the flask is still a bit hot you can mix it with the cold water and it should be drinkable.

If you are travelling with a baby then having bottles with baby milk or cooled water to make a feed is allowed just as long as you are willing to try whats in the bottles and you are travelling with a baby.



http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Publictransport/AirtravelintheUK/DG_078179

Answer 4

Just take the powdered formula with you, then you can make it up once you are in departures, there is always a costa coffee etc who will provide you with boiled water that you can let cool down. On the plane the flight attendants will also provide you with clean boiled water. Take a clean plastic bottle that's empty to put boiled water in and it will soon cool down.

Answer 5

You shoudl probably let the airport know but they will allow you to take it through in normal baby bottles - you have to taste it to show that it is ok



I have always understood that you shoudl not use bottled water due to the elements that it can contain but am not sure how right that is

Answer 6

Check your airline, some flights offer free bottled water. Better, if you nurse your milk is free too!

Answer 7

That's a great question. I hadn't thought of that.

I really liked eclipsepearl's answer. All her ideas are great.

Good luck flying with your little one.

Answer 8

Ice it to so you can be excluded from 3oz rule.