Carrying baby food on a flight

3 Easy Tips to Meet The TSA Baby Food Guidelines

October 20, 2020 By Alexandra Maloney

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Bringing your little one along for a trip is a great way to bond and make lifelong family memories. Flying with your baby doesn’t need to be intimidating or stressful, and neither does getting their food through TSA. Your baby’s food is the most important thing you’ll travel with, and you’re permitted to bring frozen and bottled breast milk, as well as juices and formula for your baby on planes. All you need to do is plan ahead and budget more time at the airport!

TSA policies regarding baby food

TSA allows baby food in your carry-on bag — don’t leave your child’s food in your checked bag and risk it all getting lost in transit! Pack your formula, breast milk or juice in TSA pouches. When you arrive at TSA with your carry-on full of baby food, be sure to inform the TSA agent that you are traveling with the food before you begin your screening process. TSA will ask you to take these items out of your bag and will screen them through a separate process.

All formula, breast milk and juice will go through an X-ray screening process, the same one as your checked bag. TSA may need to test your liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items and may request you to open them. If you don’t want your baby food open, you can deny this request — additional steps will be taken by TSA to ensure they’re safe for travel without opening.

Formula, breast milk and juices are an exemption under the 3-1-1 liquids rule for flying. This means that you can bring them in quantities greater than 3.4 oz, which is not the case for most other liquids going through TSA. Additionally, TSA allows ice packs and freezer packs for the purpose of freezing baby food — you can line a cooler bag with these to keep your baby food fresh!

If you’re flying with a toddler, you can bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred, and processed food along in carry-on baggage.

Tips for getting baby food through TSA without hassle

Make traveling with baby food quick and easy!

Determine how much food you’ll need to travel with in advance

No one knows your baby better than you — you know when your baby needs to eat! Before your trip, think about how long you’ll be gone, how many times and the amount your baby eats per day. Plan to bring at least this much food for your trip!

For parents that pump, consider pre-pumping and freezing some breast milk, and bring your pump with you to supplement the rest. For parents using formula, pre-package your baby’s food in TSA baby food pouches and store them away for the trip.

Pack your baby food well & keep it with you

TSA allows ice packs, freezer packs and the like for baby food — take advantage of this! Make sure you’re packing your cooler bag tightly and putting as many of these as you need inside to keep your food frozen.

Since baby food is allowed in your carry-on bag, be sure to keep your eye on it at all times. Don’t let it leave your sight when it’s going through TSA or in the airport in general — your baby needs it and unless you’re on a very short flight, they’ll probably need to eat on the plane.

Insider Tip: Some airlines, like Southwest, allow babies and young toddlers to travel for free! Always be sure to check if there’s a child fare when booking your flight.

Give yourself extra time to go through security

Because of all the policies TSA has surrounding baby food, it’s important to give yourself extra time when traveling with it. You might need to jump through a few hoops to get it past TSA, and all food needs to be separately screened. This applies especially if you plan to bring a large amount of baby food on the plane. It’s better to be safe than sorry in this case — make sure you get your baby food through security and make your flight with plenty of time to spare!

FAQ for traveling with baby food

Can you bring squeezable baby food on a plane?

Yes! Squeezable pouches, jars or cans of baby food are all allowed on the plane and adhere to the same rules as breast milk, juices and formula. You can even bring gel or liquid-filled teething rings and toys for your little ones on the plane!

How much baby food can you take on a plane?

TSA allows baby food in “reasonable quantities” on planes. Basically, this means there is no strict cut-off for how much food you can bring on the plane. Bring only the amount of baby food your baby needs for the trip and you shouldn’t have any problems getting through security.

Can I bring water for baby formula on a plane?

Yes! Again, water for baby formula and babies is permitted by TSA in “reasonable quantities” in carry-on bags. The water for your baby formula will have to undergo the same screening process as the other foods you bring for your baby, but you shouldn’t have any trouble getting it onto the plane.

Bottom line

Whether you’re solo parent traveling or tag-teaming it with little ones, getting your baby’s food through TSA can be a stress-free and hassle-free process. TSA allows formula, breast milk and juices in quantities that exceed 3. 4oz, which is the typical rule, and you’ll be able to bring stocked cooler bags as well if needed. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get through security and have the food screened properly, plus keep it in your carry-on bag to make sure you have it with you whenever your baby needs it. After that, all that’s left to do is enjoy your trip with a happy and full baby!

Alexandra Maloney is a contributor for Million Mile Secrets where she covers points and miles, credit cards, airlines, hotels, and general travel. She's worked as a writing consultant for the University of Richmond and is a features writer for The Collegian UR.

TRAVELING WITH BABY FOOD • IDEAS • PACKING TIPS & RULES

Traveling with a baby who is weaning does need some forward planning, especially if you are flying with a baby and can’t pop out to the shops to purchase some baby food, or whip up a meal in your kitchen. Traveling with baby food means also considering delays and how to keep food cool or heat it up. This post answers lots of popular questions about travelling with baby food, provides tips and ideas to make it easier for you and provides suggestions of easy baby food that travels well.

CAN I BRING BABY FOOD ON PLANES?

Table of Contents - Click to jump to a section

Yes, you can bring baby food on planes. If it is in your hand luggage and it is for your baby on the flight, then it is NOT subject to the 100ml/3-1-1 liquid rule set by individual countries. This includes water, breast milk, powdered milk, baby food pouches and jars. TSA state, “Baby food is allowed in reasonable quantities in carry-on bags. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.”

(If any liquid is for you, unless medically approved then it IS subject to the liquid rules if it is in your hand luggage. )

The TSA also state the below if you are traveling from a USA airport. However, these rules are NOT applicable worldwide, so do check the airport rules in the country you are flying from before you travel as some are very different – particularly with the allowance of ice packs and/or traveling with frozen breast milk!
Formula, breast milk, juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. You do not need to travel with your child to bring breast milk.
Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk and juice are allowed in carry-on. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above. You may also bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred and processed baby food in carry-on baggage. These items may be subject to additional screening.

While there are restrictions on the liquids you can take on a plane, they do not apply to food or milk for your baby. All airlines do permit baby food and milk to be brought onboard the plane. If you cannot find specific information on your airlines website, then you will usually find it on your departing airports website in the security section as exemptions to the 3-1-1/100ml liquid rule. Most airports/airlines stipulate ‘reasonable quantity’ or ‘enough for the journey’.

Airline provided baby meals and child meals

Some airlines provide (on request only, at least 24 hours in advance ) special meals for babies and children. For babies under two this is usually pureed baby food. You cannot request anything else for this age. For children over two, you can request a children’s meal. For children under two, you should always make sure you have enough food and drink for them.

Baby food and travel snack ideas

If you need to bring some of your own travel snacks or food for your baby, some easy ideas include:

TRAVEL FOOD FOR BABIES

BEST TRAVEL SNACKS FOR TODDLERS AND BABY LED WEANING

The great thing with the baby travel food and toddler travel snacks below, is that the majority is minimal mess (if there is such a thing with BLW!) and incredibly easy to organise for travel.

Raisins – or other dried fruit
Cheese crackers
Fruit squeeze pouch – apple is usually a popular one.
Blueberries
Toast strips/soldiers – Cut into strips and spread a little butter on.
Cooked pasta – Convenient for snacks on the go or as a full meal. Once up in the air, ask a flight attendant for a cup of hot water and you can warm it up. Add cheese or fresh vegetables!
Mini sausages – make easy finger food for older kids.
Rice cakes
Homemade muffins – Choose a baby friendly recipe with no honey and no added sugar besides fruit. You can freeze muffins and pull from the freezer anytime you need in a hurry.
Bananas
Granola bars
Satsumas
Cucumber and carrot sticks
Roasted Veggies
Thawed peas (from frozen) – Just take directly from your freezer and pack and go! They will need a short time to defrost to be ready to eat but the coldness will help keep everything else fresh too.
Tofu strips – Pan fry tofu 1-2 minutes each side, then cool and pack.
Bread sticks
Porridge pots
Cereal hoops
Cheese – you can grate or shred it into fine pieces before you fo for baby to easily grab.
Pancakes (with 3 ingredients) 1 ripe banana, 2 eggs, 1/12 teaspoons of coconut oil mixed together and cooked on a frying pan/skillet on a low heat. Once cooled they are ready to go.

Anything that is fresh, remember to leave on the aircraft or check the countries customs laws. For example, fresh food of any kind is NOT allowed into Australia or New Zealand.

FOODS TO AVOID

Avoid candy, lollies and chocolate etc as a hyper kid on the plane is zero fun! The only exception is for older kids (when the choking risk is low) with a lollipop for top of descent – in case they find the ear pressure uncomfortable.

Some airlines may announce that food containing nuts cannot be consumed due to a passenger with an extreme allergy, so do not bring them just in case you can not use. Obvious no gos include whole grapes, jelly cubes, marshmallows or anything that could bloke an airway or large chunks which could be a choking hazard.

Remember many food products must be declared in certain countries. Always look at the customs card and if in doubt, bin it or declare it. I’ve always declared baby powder formula, even opened and have been allowed it. Countries like Australia will not let you bring any fresh produce in. Please check the latest customs laws.

PACKING FOOD FOR TRAVEL

Before you decide on the types of food for traveling, you will need to consider a few things:

How are you traveling?
Is there any cold storage available?
Can you easily get ice?
Have you enough food to cover delays?
What space do you have available in your case?
Always pack more than you think you’ll need. Kids’ love to snack when on the go!
Do you need portable travel blender for weaning babies or to make smoothies?

HOW TO KEEP FOOD COOL & HOW TO PACK BABY FOOD FOR TRAVEL

To keep the food fresh in my hand luggage, I take frozen gel packs from home AND empty Ziploc bags. Be aware some countries security laws may not accept icepacks/coolpacks/ gel packs to keep the food cool through security. Check at the check in counter if they are allowed and if you are caught out, pack the frozen gel packs in your suitcase and then use your Ziplocs to fill with ice from a cafe once airside and again from the crew onboard the plane. (If you are traveling within the USA or from the USA the TSA rules for baby food DO permit cool-packs and gel pack use in your hand luggage. They will also permit frozen food. The UK will also allow frozen gel packs to keep baby food cool only)
If I am unable to use a frozen gel ice pack in my hand luggage, I always pack a couple extra in my main suitcase – that way they can be frozen at my destination and be used on day trips from the hotel to keep food cool.
An insulated food bag can then be used to place everything in for your baby. Travel food is then ready to go!

BEST TRAVEL FOOD CONTAINERS FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS

When flying with baby food or baby milk, it’s always best to first check airport security rules first for the types of travel baby food containers you can use – as they can differ. Where some airports will allow flasks, others won’t and some do prefer clear containers for transporting breast milk. eg at London Heathrow, “At London Heathrow Baby food or baby milk: breast milk can be carried in the cabin; when it is stored in a clear, transparent container or bag. Flasks cannot be permitted.”

When you are packing travel food, especially homemade baby food, it’s harder to get replacements, so to avoid tears and tantrums, never put all of one type of food in once container, but spread it out over two, just in case of an accidental spillage. If your baby is doing baby lead weaning (BLW), or you have a toddler, it’s definitely easier to give them just a small amount at a time. For older children, Bento Boxes work well as you can pack a selection of items and keep it all in one place. Here are some of the best travel food containers for babies, toddlers and older kids.

Bento Boxes: You can buy great ‘bento’ style organizer boxes which can hold a variety of travel snacks for older children. These basic stackable Bento Boxes are affordable and fit about 1/2 a cups worth of food in each section.

Snack Catchers: Munchkin snack catchers are great to stop toddler and older baby spills on the go. They will get plenty of use whether you are on a long road trip with kids, an outing to the park or on a flight.

Collapsible Snack Containers: Collapsible snack containers are great for travel for obvious reasons, they save space!

Reusable Pouches: If you make your own baby food or want to fill with yoghurt, smoothies etc, these re-usable pouches are perfect for traveling with baby food.

HOW TO PREPARE BABY FOOD WHILE TRAVELLING?

Preparing baby food while traveling is not as cumbersome as you may think. Whether you are on a road trip with a baby or need to whip up something homemade in your hotel room, you can use things from home to help. Hotels and restaurants are often used to such requests and will help, but if they are busy or where you are staying doesn’t have round-the clock room service, then bringing a small portable rechargeable blender can be a lifesaver to puree some veggies and fruit quickly. If you don’t want to pack a portable blender, then whole foods like bananas, ripe pears, mangoes or avocados can be mashed up immediately wherever you are to make instant baby food while travelling.

Once out about food can be kept warm in an insulated food jar or thermos which is great if you are for a day trip or excursion. If flying, check first as not all airport security will allow flasks.

OTHER USEFUL ITEMS FOR TRAVELING WITH BABY ON THE GO

Bibs – a wipe clean bib is ideal for on the go.
Baby Wipes/Washcloths
Travel Booster Seat

Safety Tips When Feeding On The Go

Do be mindful of choking as you would at home. It is harder to feed in an airplane seat, but try and keep a good view of babies face whilst you are feeding them. If they can sit in someone elses lap, this can help. Wherever you are, keep them sitting upright whilst eating.

Pin these tips and travel baby food ideas for later?

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Is it possible to take baby food in hand luggage on the plane

Traveling with children should be comfortable. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare for a flight on an airplane with a child.

The baby will not be able to do without regular meals for a long time. In order for the baby to be able to eat on time, you need to put the usual food with you.

Transportation regulations allow you to take baby food in your hand luggage on the plane, however the requirements of different airlines are different. There is a single rule for all air carriers: baby food should not be more than the child needs for the flight.

What kind of baby food can be taken on a plane in hand luggage

First of all, it should be the usual food for a child, depending on age. For small crumbs - these are milk mixtures, vegetable or fruit puree. For an older baby, the main meal is taken for a quick snack - fruits and cookies, as well as drinks.

In any case, the amount of baby food allowed in hand luggage is sufficient for the baby's flight. No airline will allow you to carry food for several days in your hand luggage.

How much liquid baby food can be taken on a flight? The rules for transporting food for children are more loyal.

It is often allowed to transport liquid food for crumbs with a volume of more than 100 ml. However, this issue is usually decided on an individual basis.

Baby food in hand luggage: rules of Russian airlines

In accordance with the rules in force on the territory of the Russian Federation, you can take as much baby food as hand luggage on an airplane as necessary for a comfortable flight of children. Many Russian air carriers do not limit parents to liquid baby food up to 100 ml in one container. However, you should take reasonable amounts of food for children with you. For convenience, carefully pack liquid nutrition in plastic containers to prevent leakage.

Thus, S7 Airlines writes on the official website: “Parents can take food for their child on board without any fear. There are no hard limits on volume or content.” But Pobeda, when traveling with a child, allows you to take food and drinks with you, but each container should not exceed 100 ml.

For older children on long flights, the airline can order a special children's menu. The order must be made at the stage of booking tickets. For example, Aeroflot will offer fruits, vegetables, various pastries and drinks for children to eat. The children's menu is distinguished by the absence of hot dishes.

Regulations for carrying baby food in other countries

On international flights, you can also put baby food in your hand luggage, but the rules for transporting it will be stricter. A set of products for a child depends on the duration of the flight and is usually limited to three servings.

Liquid food must be packed in plastic containers with a volume of up to 100 ml and no more than 1 liter per person. The rules provide for the packaging of each container in an individual transparent plastic bag. Containers should be tightly closed.

For children over 2 years of age, the shipping rates for baby food vary. Products are stored in containers with a volume of not more than 100 ml. Each container must be signed and packed in a separate transparent bag.

It should be noted that for children over two years old on international flights, many airlines provide a special children's menu free of charge. So, Swiss Air, Air France offer for kids vegetable salads, cereals, yogurt, fruits or something more substantial, for example, chicken nuggets with a side dish. In order for the baby to be provided with food, it must be ordered in advance, at least 36 hours before departure.

In a nutshell…

We think you no longer have questions about whether you can take baby food as hand luggage on the plane. However, a brief summary of the above.

Our Luggage recommends. When placing baby food in hand luggage on an airplane, follow a few general rules:

The food must not be perishable. It is better to take infant formula in dry form and dilute it on the plane, after asking the flight attendant for warm water.
All containers, including puree jars, must be properly packaged.
Liquid baby food must not exceed one litre.

By following these simple rules, you can travel with your children to different countries without feeling any discomfort.

Photo: focusedcollection.com

"Our Luggage" recommends! Websites that help us travel:
Find cheap flights: Aviasales.ru or Yandex Travel Find hotels: Ostrovok.Ru and Hotellook.com

Rules for transporting baby food on an airplane

The issue of transporting baby food on an airplane worries all mothers without exception. This is an adult who can understand that there is nothing to drink or eat, but you cannot explain this to a baby.

Feeding children on an airplane can be a problem

In addition, you never know what you might suddenly need on the road. It is advisable to have water, milk formula, juices, purees, yogurts and some medicines on hand.

Make sure that the baby has plenty to choose from.

Make sure your baby has plenty to choose from.

How can you carry all this on the plane? And is it possible? The rules for transporting food in hand luggage state that you can carry a certain amount of liquid with you. As a rule, about a liter. But this liquid should be packed in plastic or tetrapack only 100g each.

Drinks must be in plastic and dosed

Do not take with you larger containers only partially filled.

According to the rules, you should not have half-empty containers of a larger volume with you.

On the one hand, these rules are a serious problem, because it is almost impossible to find 100 g bottles or paper-packed juices of this volume. The standard size is 200 grams or more. But on the other hand, it is not so important. In the same rules, there is a note that the requirements do not apply to baby and diet food.

But these rules do not apply to baby food and drink

However, there is one “but”. The vagueness of the wording leaves a wide field for interpretation of the rules by airport personnel. Therefore, parents are forced to wait in each case, and how the employees who inspect luggage will look at a liter package of juice or a 1.5 liter bottle of water.

They look differently. Most of the time there are no problems, but sometimes there are difficulties.

Usually airport employees are loyal in matters of baby food.

The most meticulous, in this respect, were known as the Chinese. There were cases when they confiscated all baby food, with the exception of what was needed for the duration of the flight. Sometimes they took away large containers of water. Passengers with children under 5 years old at Chinese airports are even more or less condescending. But already there is no relief to the needs of older children.

There may be problems with Chinese airport employees.

Resort countries are distinguished by special loyalty. In Turkey, most likely, they will not even look into a bag with children's things. The same will be done in Thailand. In many countries, they will only ask the question “For baby” and will not meticulously check luggage. It's not worth it though. Proper packaging of products will help to avoid most problems.
How to carry baby food on an airplane. Experienced Tips
1. Buy baby food in minimal packages, plastic containers or tetra-packs.
2. If you are bringing fruit puree in a glass, pack each jar in a plastic bag. Then, even if something breaks, it will not leak out and remain in the package.
3. Bring a feeding teat larger than 100g empty and pack the food in a 100g container. On the plane, you can always pour as much as you need into an empty bottle.
4. Carry all baby food in separate baby bags. As a rule, such baggage is treated quite loyally at all airports.

Children's bags receive less attention.

5. It is better to buy special water for a child. Packed baby water is passed everywhere without problems. Adult water can be forced to open and drink. The same is sometimes done with juice.
6. It is allowed to take a cooler bag and safely transport curds or yoghurts in it. A special permit can be obtained in advance for a cooler bag.
7. Before flying, it will be useful to consult about the rules of a particular carrier company, at least by phone.
This is for hand luggage. Baby food: a variety of mixtures, biscuits, dry cereals are easily transported in the main luggage. It is only important that he does not exceed the norm of weight.
A separate issue is the stroller and what is in it. It seems that she has nothing to do with baby food, but this is not entirely true. Parents put all sorts of things in it. This belongings during the inspection is checked less meticulously. If the child falls asleep, most often, they will not even touch him. Let it go like that. The sight of an awake toddler also has a relaxing effect on customs officers. However, this is not the case for China. There, a sleepy child will be pulled out, the stroller will be enlightened, the products will be checked to one and all, the water will be forced to open and drink.