What Can I Bring Through Security

Updated on March 16, 2007
S.C. asks from Cortland, IL
17 answers

I am traveling by plane in a few weeks with 4 month old. As far as his bottles and things I need for him what can and can't I bring through security? I use powdered formula and usually have bottles filled with water and the powder measured out in advance can I do this?

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K.

answers from Chicago on

Go to the TSA Website for all of the details:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitt...

It seems that you won't be allowed to bring bottles of water. You'll most likely need to bring premade formula.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Chicago on

Hi - If you access to the internet, log on to tsa.gov for a listing of the items you can bring on board a flight.

Happy Travels

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi S.!

I hope your going somewhere warm!!! The below link is from the Transportation Security Administration and tells you all about traveling with children. Good luck and have fun!

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

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J.

answers from Chicago on

Hi S.,

My son is a commercial airline pilot so mt grandchildren (ages almost 2 and 4 travel alot together, Unfortunately, it rally is a crapshoot on what you end up being able to bring on board, If ou listen careully to the announcements ( made when you are already plunked into your seat) you'll hear that you are welcome to bring anything on board purchased IN THE TERMINAL> i.e. for much more money than the local grocery and not necessarily what you need.
My best advise:
The woman acros the aisle from me had her baby food and bottle.... the woman next to me had all of it confiscated... same flight, they just went through diferent check points.

The oficial rules are that youcan take a "liquid" substance no more than 3 ounces in a zip lock baggie on board. We all know this does nothing for moms flying with with children.

1. Take your formula dry in the bottles and ask the flight attendent to add water.
2.If you need milk, buy it at McDonalds in the container and there will be no hassle getting it on board. American airlines does not carry milk on board after 10a.m.
3. If you need to bring baby food on board and it exceeds 3 ounces and TSA is giving you ANY trouble about it, calming ask to speak to a supervisor and that should resolve the problem.
Don't be intimidated!
4, When you bord the first flight attendent you will encounter is first class, nod , say hello and move on. They next set of attendents you encounter are YOUR group.As you pass by them, if your baby is going to need formula on take-off ( for the ears)\say so THEN... tell them your seat number and then ask if they could please come by and pick up your bottle of dry formula and add water to it prior to take-off do you will be prepared if you need to feed your baby if he/she is in any distress.
5. Pack as much as you can ( baby shampoo, lotion,etc,) in your checked baggage... it will make getting through security much faster and hasle free.
Hope this helps,
J., perpetual traveller with two grandchildren 2 and 4.

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

I traveled a couple of months ago and did the same thing for my son. Security let me bring in the little baggies with formula and jarred baby food, but made me pour the water out of the bottles. I ended up buying bottled water in the terminal to make his bottles. This was at Midway airport. Each airport may be different in how they enforce the rules. Good luck!

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K.P.

answers from Tampa on

When I traveled with my little one, I brought his bottles with the formula already in them. I was NOT allowed to bring water through security so I just purchased a bottle once i was in the terminal and then once on the plane I asked the flight attendance for some before the plane took off. I brought Tyenol through with no problem. I only had my bag looked through once, be honest with what you have in there when they ask what you are carrying. It isn't as bad as you are thinking.

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G.M.

answers from Chicago on

S.,
I flew out of O'hare and was able to bring a limitless amount of expressed frozen milk and baby food with no hassles. However, to be on the safe side, I would bring your powdered milk with no water until you can purchase it after security.

For the baby food, depending on how much you'll need during your flight is the amount I would bring. They can't deny your baby food. If they give you problems, definatley ask to speak to a supervisor.

In addition, put all your baby food in plastic baggies so they can see what you have.

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L.

answers from Chicago on

S.,

You can go to www.united.com for items you can take through security.

Have fun on your trip,
L.

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D.S.

answers from Chicago on

I just booked flights the other day and the lady was saying something about no more than 3-4 fluid ounces of anything, including lotion, that can come on the plane! check the website of the airline and they will tell you, or check faa website.

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

I traveled in January with my then 6 month old son. I brought and got thru security with a ready-to-use formula that was still sealed in its original container. i.e. Similac-Isomil Advance - you can pick up a single ready to use 16oz container and depending on where you are flying should remain fresh thru most if not all of the flight. I then, packed a second one in the luggage that we checked in so I would have it for the return flight. It worked out just fine with O'Hare security. Just make sure you immediately identify the liquid to the security agent when you approach security. Good Luck and Safe Travels!

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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

S.,
I just recently flew myself-not with my kids but if you go to your airline website, you can find a list of items you can take with you on the plane. I always fly southwest, they are the best airline to fly with little ones. they have a great page listing things and amounts you can bring on board! Happy travel! M.

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K.

answers from Chicago on

I'm sure you CAN bring on bottled water, but you need to purchase the bottle once you pass security. Alternatively, I've always found that flight attendants will provide you with bottled water upon request (for free). You can also bring on a small amount of hand sanitizer (for diaper changes), diaper cream etc. Jarred baby food (doesn't apply to you, but might to moms of older babies) is ok too. But you need to limit it to just a few jars - not your whole week's stash.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

The last time I traveled with my 9 month old daughter was in October 2006, and here's how my experience went: Because my daughter was travelling with me, they allowed premade bottles of formula through security, but not bottles of unopened/opened water. They made me throw out the unopened bottles of water. Another option is to bring the powdered formula and purchase water once through security. I am not sure if they allow the "ready made" formula unopened, but I'd imagine that they would (check, of course). The three ounce limitation is for lotions, creams, gels, liquids, etc. in your carry on luggage, but not applicable to the formula or prescription medicine. If you have larger size bottles, etc. put them in your luggage and only put the small ones in your carry on. Note, however, that the 3 ounce bottles must be able to fit into ONE quart size Ziploc type bag. I had no trouble bringing my daughter's Zantac (liquid form) nor any problems with diapers or wipes. Addtionally, we were able to wheel the stroller, infant seat and base up the the plane/gate and checked all three there. When we got off of the plane it was right there on the bridge. Security was courteous and actually very helpful in lugging all of the stuff through. However, once at the gate...you're on your own.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

I think you can bring through bottles as long as you separate them from everything else and tell them what it is. I know you can do that with saline solution and other liquid type necessities that come in larger than 3.4 Oz bottles. Otherwise you're limited to one one-quart sized ziplock bag with containers that are each 3.4 oz or less.

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L.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi S.,

i recently travelled to L.A with my 4month old. And i must say it was a breeze!! No fuss made about bottles with water or any of the formula. I had3 bottles of water, ready for formulaif needed, and sailed thru security, so you shouldn't have a problem.

Happy travels!!
L.

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P.D.

answers from Chicago on

Stacey:

you will not be able to bring the water. you would do well to call and ask about the powered formula.

P., RLC,IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

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C.G.

answers from Chicago on

Things may have changed but I flew to England in December and home in January. I was allowed to bring baby bottles of water but I had to taste them. I just filled them a little extra so they would still have the right amount of water. I also brought juice and was allowed to take it through once I tasted it. Same with baby food.

Be careful with your other things- I had lotions, butt creams, etc and you are only allowed to have 100 ml (I think it's 3 oz) containers. What I did was put everything- baby food, bottles, formula, medicine, juice, lotion, etc in a small plastic bag. I kept it separate so I could just pull it out and start tasting. Everyone was very nice to me and I had no issues.

The only caution about getting your water on the flight is that sometimes you have to wait a little bit. I asked for one as soon as I boarded and didn't get it until well after take-off so it may be a problem if the baby is hungry right then. Good luck.

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