Anybody Experienced Traveling with Toddlers?

I flew with soy milk that my daughter was drinking last summer and we just told them it was breast milk. My daughter has a milk allergy but nobody questioned us and how are they going to know the difference?
the worst they will do is ask somebody to take a sip of it so they know it is not toxic substances used for making a bomb. But i know one airline got into trouble for asking somebody to drink breast milk.
-N.

My thought is...will the guard really know the difference between breast and non???? LOL. I'd definitly call the airline. Good luck, traveling even without kids these days is so restrictive.

I have had different experiences with different airports. Also, the rules often change. I would call the airline or airport a few days before you trip to get the official word. The last time I traveled (in April), they wouldn't let me bring an unopened container of ready-made formula, but if I opened it and put it into a bottle with a nipple, they'd let it through! The rules don't always make logical sense. Have a good trip!

You can bring any milk needed, we just traveled to Fla by plane last month. Be warned though, at the checkin they want the umbrella stroller folded up and thru the xray machine, and I even needed to put his pacifier in the tray to put thru!

We just returned from Florida with my 14 month old and I wish I could give you advice, but it seems like every airport is different. We flew out of Logan and they allowed a sippy cup with milk and baby sunscreen in the carry on, but when we flew back from West Palm Beach they were very strict and pretty much went through all of our carry on bags(annoying, they wanted me to open all the bags and help them go through them, all while holding my son as I had to take him out of the stroller)and they threw out the sunscreen and the sippy cup. I have heard that Puerto Rico can also be strict and they seem to target families and the elderly to meet their quotas. Maybe you can contact the airline and see if they can have milk available as soon as you board. We flew Delta and they were very baby friendly.
Good Luck and have a great time!

We flew with our then 14 month old daughter back in April and it was fine. I hadn't flown since our honeymoon in 2002 so I was worried. I had a full sippy cup of apple juice and another 9 ounce bottle of milk and it was fine in both airports (Manchester, NH and Tampa, FL). I just took them out seperately and put them through the x-ray machine. They never questioned me. In Manchester the "snack shop" is before security so there wasn't any place to purchase more post security but there was in Tampa. We didn't buy her a ticket and took the chance of available seating. It paid off on the way down but not home. If there are empty seats, you can bring her car seat on board and use a seat for free. This worked great because she took about an hour and a half nap. On the way home the flight was sold out and she had to ride on our laps for the whole trip - no easy feat for a fidgity 14 month old. If you can, buy the seat. You will be happy for the room and the abilty to check a couple more pieces of luggage under the baby's ticket. Have fun!!!

I would simply buy the milk after the check in point.... It might be o.k., but if not, you'll have to toss the sippy cup or go to the back of the line after dumping it.... not worth the hassle when you're traveling with kids.... One other tip - try to sit behind someone on the plane who looks sympathetic to kids (the kicking of the back of the seat can drive some people wild and a 18 mos.kid is going to squirm!). Have lots and lots of things to look at and do - crayons are great! Have fun!

I have flown with the travel rules in effect and you can bring whatever your baby will need to eat/drink during the flight hence the "reasonable quantities" instruction. They needn't be in a ziplock bag (we bring an insulated lunch tote). You are just required to tell security as they scan the bag that it contains milk for baby. They usually need to look at it too but that's no bother.

My dad works for TSA and he said that you can bring items for children that exceed the three ounce limit. You still have to take all the stuff out of your carry-on for screening so it would be helpful to bag it all together. We flew last summer with our daughter who was 15 months at the time and I only carried what I absolutely needed. I didn't carry on diaper rash cream or lotions, just the necessities. Make sure you have extra food in case of a delay. I am pretty sure that they don't allow ice packs. I brought a few extra ziploc bags and I was able to go the McDonalds on the secure side and get ice for the cooler though. I think the biggest thing is to group all your liquid items together which makes it easier when you have to take it all out for screening. Good luck!

My husband and I traveled to Florida with my 2 boys, 3.5 and 15 months, in April. I'm prety sure we brought their 9 oz. sippy cups filled with milk or water without a problem. You could alays take an empty cup and get milk on the plane. With this heat, I wouldn't want to keep milk unrefrigerated for too long. I thought that security at Logan was very reasonable and patient with us. I would just try to be up front with them about what you have.

We just flew from Charleston SC to Boston MA, back in March. We had a 7oz cup of milk that they didn't question when we went through the security check point we just had to put it in one of the buckets to be x-rayed. They did however make us dump out the water that was in the bottles for our 2 week old son. I have 3 kids. So I would say that you should be ok with the 7oz cup of milk.

I have traveled with toddlers before and at the time was still breast feeding. I do know that you can purchase milk after you get through security check point. Bring the sippy cup and see if they let you through. If not you just dump it and get some after the checkpoint. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

Bring what you need, if it is 2 cups put them in different carry on bags, the worst that will happen is that they will have you pour them out!! and then you still have the cup just purchase more after the check point... I just got stop 2 weeks ago at the Florida airport when my carry on bag went through the machine to be checked and they looked though the bag, asked me if I have kids with me, they where with me so of course, then they let me take the juice with me. Each airport is different I say take it!

so, i have traveled many times with my small children. im pretty sure i played it safe and bought the milk after security just so i wouldnt have the hassle. however, im sure that it wouldnt be a problem bringing it. and if they ask, just tell them its formula!! however, im sure no one will ask anything. good luck!!!!

You should be able to bring it on. I would call the airport though just to be sure.

When I traveled with my little one last summer, he too wasn't drinking formula, but soy milk. He also used a sippy cup, not a bottle, and I was able to bring it through. I just took it out of the bag and put it through with our shoes. I didn't say that it wasn't "formula", but I guess they assumed that it was.

Good luck!
C.

Hi I flew two years ago with two little ones they do let you bring full bottles and sippy cups on the plane, you just have to go to a special table to declare it before going through security. Have a nice trip!

I have traveled with my daughter from coast to coast a few times.. they have made me throw away bottle water.. I know someone who just came back from Canada and had pumped while she was there and they made her dispose of her breastmilk.. So if I was you I would wait and just buy milk once you get pass security.

I haven't had any problems getting through security with sippy cups and I've been on a few trips with toddlers. Hopefully it'll work out for you. Have a great vacation!!

Jen

Hi R.,
I've traveled a few times with my son who is now 3 1/2 and he has done great. I used the 4 oz Gerber yogurt juice containers. They aren't bottles, they sell juice and yogurt juice in the them, but the airline told me that they were fine to use and considered it "his formula". So I would maybe recommend getting those and just fill them with your child's milk and then you can pout them into a sippy cup. They will not let you bring a sippy cup that is filled. I just put these 4 oz containers in a large ziploc bag and didn't have a problem at all the 3 times we have flown.
Another thing that was a huge help to us was that I went to the dollar store a few days before a trip and filed up my sons backpack with new inexpensive toys that he had never seen before and kept him busy the entire flight and then you don't feel bad about loosing or tossing them at the end of the trip. I got stickers/ coloring books/ playdoh/ etc and it kept him very busy.
Good luck and I hope this helps.

You can call the airline to confirm but I just flew in May and was having my kids drink their cups as we were heading into security and the TSA reps said they could have their milk in their sippy cups and that was fine.
Overall, I am not sure why it is ok for the kids and not adults and it is hard to settle with me on that one but we were told it was ok and that was at Logan.
Any toiletries and prescriptions should be in a zip lock bag ready for placing in the tray at the security check. Toiletries need to be in the correct size 2-3oz...the presciptions need to be in their original containers and they should be fine (we had our kids flouride and viamins and they were fine)

No worries- I just flew last week with my 13 month old. Milk for babies or small juice bottles are fine- keep then in a zip lock because you will have to pull them out of the bag-plus a good idea if it spills. They sell milk past check ins at the airport stores too.

To avoid any issues I bring an empty one and a full one (to drink while waiting before going throught security) You can buy milk once you are through the security checkpoint and there is plenty on the airplane.

I just travelled to Europe with my 16 month old. They were fine with us bringing the boxed milk (UHT) and it worked well. A friend recommended it before we left and I was so grateful.

Yes, you can bring the sippy cup through security filled with milk in a see through plastic cup. Good Luck. We bring toys, books, DVD player and usually keeps our son occupied. We have done ear drops to prevent ear popping at high altitudes or just keep them swallowing/chewing (bottle, sippy cup or food) during take off and landing.

Cow's milk falls under the food category for toddlers. You are allowed to bring however much they will need for the journey.

Hey R.,

I just flew in to the East Coast fromt the West with a 3 month old, a 21 mo old and a 4 yr old, in January. Formula for the baby is all accepted without an issue. I usually carry water in the baby's bottle so that it's ready to prepare, and powder in a little "easy-pour" container. At the time, I also carried pre-made liquid formula. The only thing they made me do is pour out the water right before going through the metal detectors, and throw away my 1 unopened bottle of water. Once you go through the metal detector at your boarding location, you can buy anything you need in the terminal, and carry it to your destination without issue. I'm pretty certain that they won't let you through with any liquid, unless it's strictly formula. Hope that helps!

I just want to say that you CAN warm the milk on the plane-just ask for hot water and bring a tupperware or something big enough in which to set the cup/bottle. Put the cup in the tupperware, pour in hot water, and wait a minute.

They do allow it on. Security will have you open the containers full of milk and put a test strip in it. I brought 6 bottles of goat's milk to Alaska and that is all they did!

Hi R.--We have traveled a few times with our toddler and infant and each time have been allowed to take their milk (and even juice) on the plane without any hassle. You will not be able to warm it up, but if she needs it she's likely to be out of her routine enough to drink it as is :) We also always take an empty sippy cup to fill with juice on the plane, and just in case we really do have to give our milk up at security...Good luck and have fun!

My experience was that they made me dump the sippy cup. But every TSA is different and you might get a friendly one, but why take the chance?? I would just bring the empty cup and buy the milk when you get through. It is a whole lot less stressful!!

Have fun!

R.,

We just traveled with our 17 month old. We brought him bottles of formula to have on the plane to help his ears. When I called TSA ahead of time to ask about cow's milk, they told me I could buy it in duty free. You could call the airline and ask if they have it on the plane. They usually offer milk I believe. One the way there the TSA people let us through with 12 oz water and formula powder. On the way back they said we had to mix it first... which I refused to do. I told them I would rather dump the water and buy new since formula spoils too quickly.... my point is it depends on the mood of the TSA agent... scary as that is.

Good luck,

L.

Yes, you can bring 7 oz. of cow's milk for your baby through security. Just let the TSA agent know who is checking your i.d. Each airport is different so if you leave Boston and the TSA agent says you don't have to pull it out to "declare" it in a grey bin you may not have the same experience in your vacation city. Just ask in both places how they would like you to handle your milk situation. I've travelled with a large amount of breast milk without my baby (pumping while away) and have not encountered any problems from TSA. When travelling with my baby no has even asked me to pull out the breast milk. Have a great time.

HI R....You shouldn't have a problem with the milk.....I think as long as it is in a sippy and you have it out so they see it. I accidentally forgot a juice box in the carry on and they let me keep it....they just had to pull the bag and make sure that's what it is! I hope you have a stress free travel....I understand how nerve wracking it is...especially now....just be prepared to be understanding and patient and you should get through security no problem.....I have stressed every time I have flown with my children but it has always been fine. Good Luck!

Don't worry. It really isn't terrible getting through the airport with kids. In my experience they are pretty nice to you and understanding of the kids. Just make sure you are there very early before your flight so that you can be calm and take the time that it takes to drag two kids through the airport. Bring the sippy cup (or two) of milk (you never know if they will be out of milk on the other side of the line). Place it a large ziploc (to protect it from germs) and then just put it in a bin with your little "regulation" ziploc, if you are bringing one, and place it on the belt to be screened. I have never been asked what was in my son's sippy cups.
Oh, another tip, if you are having her be a "lap child" make sure that when you check in online or at the airport that your ticket identifies her as such before you get to security. I have had trouble getting through security without it before and had to go back to the ticket counter to have them add it to my ticket (good thing we left plenty of time!).
Have a great flight and a great trip!

I believe you need to bring an empty cup, and buy the milk after the check point.

Hi,
The security people did not have a problem with our toddler's sippy cup when we flew to Florida in March. You can always just say it's formula if they ask.
They will provide milk on the plane- and the flight attendant may even warm it for you.
Just relax- the airlines are used to people traveling with children and they know how to deal with it.
We had no real problems.
Good luck!
-S.

Hi R.,
My 7-month old baby has already traveled with me on 2 occasions. Trust me, managing all of the extra "stuff" you need is going to be challenging, but people in the airport (both the TSA & other travelers) could not be nicer about the extra time you'll need checking in, the things you'll have to bring through security, etc. My suggestion is to bring your daughter's milk in her sippy cup as well as anything else you think you'll need for the trip (remember sometimes you sit on the runway for a while or they fly around in the air for an extended period of time if there's weather, so it's best to have extra stuff on hand). Just make sure you let someone in security know that you have more liquids than normally permitted. I would be shocked if they made you throw it away. Worst case scenario: you could purchase it when you get into the terminal (for an arm & I leg, I'm sure!).
If at all possible, you should time her feeding around the time you take off & you may want her to take it from a bottle. The motion made in her jaw when she sucks should decrease the pain that some children feel with the change in air pressure.
Have a wonderful vacation & feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.
-R.

Since you can't warm the milk once you get on the plane, I would suggest trying to get your child used to the colder version first.
I always buy whatver we need liquid wise AFTE the checkpoint just to play it safe. My son (2 y. 7 m.) and I have traveled just the two of us since he was 5 months old and have had relativly little problems.
Don't want to spoil that!
Also you probably wouldn't want to give her the milk until that plane is actually taking off anyway so you don't want to have it sitting around for the 1-2 hours you are wandering around the airport before you even get on the plane.

Bring lots of $1 store new stuff that will keep them both occupied suring the flight and means nothing to you if it is broken or left. Plus one "lovey" type thing (portable cdplayer and fav cds for the 11 year old?) that they care enough about they wouln't LET you leave it.

GOOD LUCK!

Just traveled to California with a two and a half year old, and so can tell you you are allowed to bring 7 ounces of milk for your 18 month old , in her cup. You do not have to bring an empty cup and purchase milk after the check point. Just hand or show the milk to the agent at the checkpoint and tell them that it's milk for the baby. Hope this helps. Have fun! L.

It won't be a problem--just have the milk in the bottle. I've travled a lot with my kiddos and always have bottles full of (cow's) milk and when they see the kids, the security folks don't bat an eye.

Have fun! S.

Hi R.,
My husband and I travelled last year with our then three year old and our 10mos. old. She had been nursed but I knew she'd need a beverage to hold her over. We attempted the sippy cup with juice and they were very specific that it couldn't be more than 4oz. Maybe we just got a hard person to deal with but maybe you'd want to bring another sippy cup just in case you need to do 4oz in one and 4oz. in the other. Sounds ridiculous, I know. I guess they all mean well and want to keep our country safe...I'm good with that:) Have a fun trip in Puerto Rico.

My friend works for TSA, and she said that milk is fine. If you're still worried, tell them it is formula or breastmilk -what are they gonna do-taste it?

It all depends on the airport last year when we flew from Boston to West Palm Beach they let us take that milk on the plane in Boston but West Palm Beach wouldn't let us. We had to buy milk once we got through security.

Hi R.,
I was able to bring my daughter's drinks on the plane with me-you just have to let them know at the security checkpoint what is in the containers-I did not bring milk, though, I brought juice-you might want to get a small container of milk that is sealed, along with the sippie cup-just in case. If you call the airport you are leaving from, they should be able to tell you what their specific rules are.

Have a great trip!
M.

Would they know if its breast milk or not?????