Food and Air Travel

I ALWAYS pack my own stuff. When you tell them it is for the children..they are pretty cool with that. You can carry AS MUCH BREAST MILK/MILK as you want.

I have never flown but I was thinking about the milk. you can buy the individual milk boxes. That way they can see they are unopened.

I don't know about the milk but you can take any kind of dry snacks with you as long as they are not opened. You should be fine with pretzels, cookies, granola bars, sandwiches, etc.

Hope that helps

Take the food you need. They have never questioned me and I've flown quite regularly with my 2 year old. You don't want to get stuck in a middle of flight without their favorite snacks. In addition, I always bring a couple insulated sippy cups with either milk or juice. You'll just have to pull it out before going through security and let them know what it is.

How sad have we become as a nation that we have to second guess ourselves when trying to attempt something as simple as feeding children when traveling...all because some clowns think that restricting such items makes them "feel" safer--not actually *be* safer.

Okay, off my soap box.

You can bring pretty much any "reasonable" quantities of liquids, gellied foods, lotions, potions and other things that go squish through security and on the airplane. Don't kid yourself, those $4 bottles of Vasa water inside the sterile area ARE NOT screened like you think they are. They got the same level of screening as the $1 bottle of water sitting on the shelves of your local 7-Eleven store.

Now the details: First, you have to be willing to stand up to anybody who attempts to impose their opinion of what "reasonable" is. Second, you have to be prepared to hold up the line a little as it appears you're in no way an expert frequent flyer. I don't say that to be mean, just a fact, you'll need to use the Green Circle lane since they're *supposed* to be dedicated to those who need more time. Third (and probably most important) don't act like a sheeple with the "mother may I?" attitude when you get to the airport...present youself with an air of confidence "Yeah, that's all stuff for my kids, you wanna make something of it buster?"

Packing tips: If you're going to check bags, send your toiletries with the checked luggage. Each pax (that includes the kids) is permitted the 1-qt zipper lock bag through security. I'd say bring one with some soap or skin cleaner and sanitizing gel for cleaning the kids and/or tables etc.

You can bring breastmilk and formula in any amount you deem necessary--don't let ANYONE make you think you have too much, what if there's a flight delay? Cancellation? A family got stranded in a South American airport overnight with 2 kids under 3...you think they had access to a 24 hour Wal-Mart?

There are a few companies who produce *room temp*/shelf stable milk. They come in juice box sized containers. Load the diaper bag with 3-4 of those. Don't forget a plastic spoon or two if you bring baby/toddler foods in a jar.

When you have your liquid items--milk, baby food, lotions, etc--try packing them into gallon sized plastic bags so that if something ruptures, it won't mess up the inside of the diaper bag. When we all travel, we take two diaper bags--one has the foods, milk and such and the other has all the meds (infants' Tyelenol) and the bottled water for making formula.

You might want to practice your security screening procedures so that you won't be harried when you arrive. Here's how we typically handle it:

Travelling party--daddy, mommy, boy (3), girl (1), 2 diaper bags (1 bag, 1 backpack), laptop bag, camera backpack, 2 rollaboards, toddler rollaboard, Graco stroller, Britax car seat with wheeled attachment <http://gogobabyz.com/products-c26-gogo_Kidz_Travelmate.as...; that makes it roll like luggage. (Note there are usually 1-2 bags already checked by now, this is just the carry-on junk).

Daddy gets baby out of stroller
Mommy gets son out of rolling car seat
Britax is too big to fit in x-ray so is given to TSO at side gate for hand screening
Graco stroller collapses and goes into x-ray
laptop
laptop bag
daddy carries 1st kid through walkthrough metal detector
1st diaper bag (the one with the most liquids)
rest of carry-ons
2nd diaper bag
camera bag
mommy carries other kid through WTMD

We tend to stick to this very deliberate process for a few reasons. First, daddy is affiliated with the gov't & airlines and can fend off any issues by dealing with TSO (Transportation Screening Officer) supervisors or airline GSC. Second, the x-ray TSO--if doing her job right--will usually see the liquids inside the diaper bag and daddy will point out the babies before or as the TSO calls for a bag check. Finally, it allows us to maintain visual control over everything we have as by now our train of stuff are the only items coming through the x-ray. By the time mommy comes through the Britax is cleared and the stroller is back in position.

It sounds like a lot but from the time we make it to the front of the line to the time that we're "put together" again takes us about 3 minutes. We usually clear in the same time (or less) as the snotty biz traveler who's wondering how/why we're in the elite security lane--but then he has to go back because he forgot the stinkin Blackberry :-D

I know they say you can bring prepared formula though but I have been made to dump it out. The snacks you should have no problem with. Depending on which airline you are flying and wether or not they charge for beverages, you can just request water on the plane to mix the formula. That would leave you with buying milk only once you got through security. Which you may want to do anyway to keep it from spoiling. I'm not sure how you would keep it cold.

You can call TSA directly with all your questions
866-289-9673

You can bring any solid foods through security that you would like. They don't let you take liquids through, those must be purchased inside security. As for the milk, just take it. They have let me bring juice and water in sippy cups for the kids before. I would just not say anything unless they ask. Then tell them it is for the baby if they do. It usually depends on the airport although they are supposed to be consistent. I have done this many times with my two boys. My husband and I both work for airlines so we are all too familiar with the procedures for traveling with our two little guys. I actually always bring an extra little tote bag on board that is just for snacks! I reccomend bringing a portable dvd player if you have one, coloring books, reading books, whatever small items you can bring that will keep the kids occupied. It will make your flight much smoother! Have fun and fly safe!

K.

You should check with your specific airline, but I flew just a couple of weeks ago and took all my own snacks on the plane. In fact, I even took an empty water bottle and filled it up at the water fountain after I went through security (I've done that several times now).... that might be helpful for you and your children.

I would double check on the formula if it is liquid, and the baby food, but I think they make some provisions for certain items like medicines, etc. Not sure about the baby food.

Happy travels. I hope it goes well for you.
Toni

I had no problems when I flew out of a large airport. It was the small town airport that I had the problems with. They did everything by the book! They threw out the sealed juice, made me empty the sippy cup. They threw out the Motts applesauce cup. They said that it wasn't baby food. All of this was the same that I flew in with. There was no use arguing with them. So just be prepared. Different airports allow different things and interpret the rules differently. Happy travels.

Dry foods are fine. Granola bars, pretzels, even chocolate (yes we purchased some last time in PA) but any liquids or gels this includes applesauce are not allowed. You can purchase milk and water after you get through security in most airports depending on the time you fly. I think you can take jarred baby food if you declare it but am not sure as my son is older. I would look on the airlines website as they all have links to the TSA's website for allowed and disallowed items. Have fun on your trip
M.

I also recommend checking the tsa website but I have traveled recently and they do allow you to take milk etc and snacks on the plane. You have to use the "family line" when you go through security. They don't check which type of milk you have in the bottle/cup so it could be formula, breast, or other as far as I know. Best to check just in case but I can't see that they would give you any problems... Good luck and have a safe trip! -S

I take granola bars, crackers, cheese sticks, PB & J - stuff like that. I also bring yogurts & little apple sauce cups, but some (not all) airports will take them away. You just have to risk it. Don't bring the milk, they'll make you toss it. Just plan to get drinks after you go through security.

I fly at least every other month with my now 9 month old. It is a pain bringing liquids through security, but it's do-able. My son drinks formula, so I always have a bottle of water in the diaper bag (unsealed) to make formula. Be sure to let security know that you have baby feeding supplies in your diaper bag (or backpack, whatever). They will make you do a secondary screening. The last time I flew out of Albuquerque, they opened the bottle of water and they hold either a strip or a machine over it to check for vapors, just to make sure it's not hazardous. I also brought Pedialyte which was sealed. They wanted to open it but I explained that it only stays good 24 hours once it's opened. Then they tested my hands and the outside of the bottle for GSR or some such thing. If you have regular milk in a sippy cup for your child, I imagine they will treat it the same way as the bottle of water I carry. I do not think they will approve of your bringing your own small containers of milk... only what you need for your child's immediate use in the sippy cup. You can always get more milk from the flight attendants once you are on the plane.

As far as snacks, you can bring just about anything you'd like because airport snacks are very expensive. Anything that is not liquid (granola bars, cereals, fruit snacks, etc.) will be okay. Anything like pudding or yogurt will probably be more questionable. I did bring Stage 2 baby foods, and they merely tested the outside of the containers. Also, anything you buy AFTER security is okay on the plane. Finally, we normally fly Southwest and the usually offer peanuts, but you can ask for pretzels if you'd prefer that for the kiddos!

According to the TSA website, you can basically bring anything that is essential to the care of a baby or child that is not easily obtained at an airport. I know it's a pain, but as long as you remember it's for your own safety! You will also find that each airport does everything a little differently, so be patient with the security personnel... they are just doing what they are told! GOOD LUCK and happy flying!

Hi,

I travel all the time and as a matter of fact I just got to Norway with my 2 and 4 yo daughters. You can definitely bring your own snacks, milk or formula for the kids. My kids don't usually drink milk but they love yogurt, so I bring yogurt. Only one time they took it saying that they are not babies anymore. They might just check whatever is in the sippy but should let you through. It really depends who you get that day at the security checkpoint. Usually they are pretty nice. I had a backpack filled with pretzels, fish snacks, other snacks. So, bring whatever you think you may need, also make sure you have some activities for the kids (coloring book, dvd player with some new movies if they like that), NO PLAYDOUGH (they will take it at the security). Hope that helps.

T..

I've recently flown a few times with my one year old. Every single time, I took milk and all of my son's creams and gels. You can take as much dry food as you need. The only thing I had to buy after security is water.

I put all of his milk in containers in a gallon sized baggie. I also put all of his lotions and gels in a gallon sized baggie. I took those out if they asked me to, but most of the xray people just looked up, saw that I had a baby, and didn't bother me. I mean, how many moms are going to blow up a plane at all first of all and especially with their baby on board?!

Good luck!

I fly all the time with my two young boys. I have nursed my youngest one on the plane everytime we've gone somewhere. We also, always bring out own snacks there is no problem. Any liquids need to be sealed going through security. However, this does vary time-to-time; however open fluids you can brought as long as it is under 3 oz and you will have to put it in a plastic bag.

Do not forget about the ear thing when flying. I find this to be so important... When taking off and landing make sure the kids are always sucking on something to help with the pressure in their ears. It could be a pacific, bottle, sippy cup, breastfeeding or a sucker. Just something.

Happy Traveling!!

They have always allowed me plenty of snacks...I have also been able to take juice/milk, etc. in sippy cups...even water! Yeah, does not make sense, especially when they don't let you bring a SEALED bottle of water through security! But, it has never been a problem for me. Good luck...just bring it and if they make you pour it out...well, you tried. I would ask the flight attendant as soon as you get on the plane for some juice/milk, etc before you take off....this always helps with clearing ears if they suck on their sippy cups, etc. (if you cannot get it though security). Good luck!!

Hi! I flew to IN in January and had packed pretzels in a baggie and some granola bars and had no problems coming or going! No one even asked about them. As for liquids, like milk, I doubt they will let you. I had a sealed water bottle that I had to throw away. I think you will have to bring the sippy cup, but buy milk at the airport. I hope this is helpful!

K.

My family flies often and so I know for a fact you can take food "dry goods" through security, we haven't even attempted liquids though. You might be safer just buying the milk once you get through security, or call the airline you will traveling with and see what they have to say. Oh also call the airport you will be going to. Good Luck.

I fly all the time with my 1 1/2 year old and 3 1/2 year old (my husband travels for work and we try to join him when we can) and we bring our own snacks all the time. No water, but you can bring juice or milk for the kids. I always bring two sippy cups (1 full of juice, the other full of milk). They just ask what's in them and I say it's milk and juice for the kids and I get zero hassle. They said that's allowed. Once I even brought 2 containers of juice in their 8 oz plastic bottle and I thought I would get hassle for not transferring it to a sippy cup or baby bottle. I just said it's juice for the kids and they let it through without batting an eye. They have made me throw yogurt away on more than one occasion as well as the single-serving cups of sliced fruit and applesauce, but they let me bring fresh apples, carrots, oranges, PBJs, boiled eggs, crackers, granola bars. They just don't like liquid (like the yogurt) unless it's juice or milk for children. So you really have a lot of options. Good luck! Just make sure you put the cup of juice/milk out in full view in the basket like you put your cell phone and purse and tell them what it is. They get a little more particular about liquid stuff hiding in the diaper bag that you don't declare.

I am the wife to HC and I wanted to ask/add one thing. You did not mention if you were traveling alone or not. If you are get your toddler ready for security now! If she is attached to an item (my son loves his elmo) make sure she understands that he will have to take a ride on the belt and she can pick him up on the other side. Our son has his own bag so it makes it fun for him and easier on me! When we travel alone I make sure he has easy to take off shoes (slip on are the best) so we don’t have to waste time. He is also very clingy except at the airport he understands that it is all business and he has to listen to Mommy! That being said he is the first one through the metal detector, I go forward with him tell him hands in pockets and walk 10 steps and we count! I have barked more then once at the TSA guy about touching or “gently” pushing him aside. I have a total hands OFF policy, they don’t touch me they should in no way touch my child! You can hold your baby but you can’t keep him in a snugglie if you plan on wearing him that has to come off… I found this was more trouble then it was worth so we skip that one! We gate check the stroller, car seat is onboard since they both have their own seats…. Oh and please don’t be shy ask for help! I usually ask a flight attendant to help me carry the car seats to my seats, get me seat belt extenders, warm a bottle if needed, watch my sleeping toddler while I go change the infant… They are more than willing to do this and really it is part of their jobs! Also ear issues! Our three year old now gets a special treat for take off and landing.. Gum, as we are headed down the runway about to take off I give him a piece to chew for ear popping then we spit it out and he gets one on decent! Infants don’t have the ear issues that the toddlers have so concentrate on her! Also….. Please please please!!! If nothing else…. if you need to change a diaper, don’t do it on the seat! Its not fair to the other passengers and pretty ickie if there is an “accident! A little known fact is that above the toilet there is a diaper changer that you pull down for use! Hope you have a great flight!!!! Oh and www.flyertalk.com is a great place to ask questions or read about flying!

I flew many times with my two little ones this last year. You're right, the liquid rules, don't apply to sippy cups and drinks for your kids. It just has to be a reasonable amount (and you probably can't take a soda and say it's for your kid!). Some airports have a new liquid screening test where they have you open a drink and they test it without touching it. I alway had a sippy cup for each of my kids and then usually one extra little container of juice. We always got water on the plane. As for food, you can take whatever you want through security. BUT, if it's liquid (like a little fruit cup with juice in it, or applesauce), you have to put it in a separate ziploc bag and "claim" it, along with any other small liquids you are claiming (small toiletries, etc. Save your money and take it with you! Good luck on your trip!

We just flew last week.....we took some granola bars, nuts in a ziplock, dried fruit, etc. You can take all the "dry food" you want. All liquids & gels( not sure about baby stuff as my kids are older) like hand lotion, hand sanitizer, contact sol.,etc. need to fit in a 1 qt. ziplock bag and it needs to go through the security screening out of the carry on. Just put the baggie in the bin with your purse/ shoes or carry- on so they can easily see it. We always have to buy our water after the security checkpoint. Some flights offer food/snacks to buy, but most flights are cash-less, so you must pay with a credit/debit card.

bring all your own milk and snacks. they don't know its not formula. the only thing is that you have to take it out at security and "declare" that you have it. and they want it to be "packaged properly" in spill proof containers and then in a zip lock

You can absolutely bring on snacks, my in laws just flew to visit us in January and they had jerky...dried fruit...licorice..trail mix etc for snacking on, oh and peanuts in the shell (in my opinion that is pretty messy for a plane ride). You cannot bring through any liquids that are more than three oz in a quart size ziploc bag. You can however bring breast milk & formula according to what they told me when I called. http://www.tsa.gov/ has all of the information. This is what I saw on the site: Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.

# Baby formula, breast milk, and juice if a baby or small child is traveling; (it just says you must declare you have these things when you go through security). It is a great idea to either nurse your son or offer him a sippy cup with juice in it during takeoff & landing to help with his ears & the cabin pressure, your daughter as well.

I plan on calling to ask more question because I supplement and my doctor has him on the ready to feed formula which is liquid & I have WIC so I need to find out how many bottles I can bring with me since I will be gone 8 days...Hope this helped you a bit.