What Can I Take in the Diaper Bag for My 9 Month Old on Southwest Airlines

Updated on July 10, 2009
C.B. asks from Barnhart, MO
23 answers

We are leaving on vacation on Friday July 10th. Our flight leaves at 7:05 a.m. I know I can take toys, diapers and wipes for him, but can I take jar cereal for him to eat after we take off. I breastfeed so I don't have to worry about bottles. We also have 2 other kids that are taking backpacks with things to do in them. Can they take snacks from home and either bottled water or capri suns in their backpacks?

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R.C.

answers from Wichita on

Since the regs change, and the policies vary by airline, I would just call the airline shortly before the flight. It might also be posted on their website, and if so, you could print a copy and take it with you to show the TSA staff in case there is a problem.

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J.S.

answers from St. Louis on

I would bring empty sippy cups and ask the flight attendant to fill them with apple juice or water/apple juice etc. I flew last week and saw them do this for several people. I wouldn't risk anything liquid, as they will throw it out. Dry cereal and snacks would probably pass fine, all mine did! Good luck!

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S.S.

answers from Kansas City on

If you go to their website, it should tell you what you can bring for the baby. You can take food snacks for the other kids. Although, I do not think that you can take fluids, unless you buy them after you have went through the security at the airport. Have fun on your trip..

1 mom found this helpful
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S.T.

answers from St. Louis on

Jar food is acceptable to fly with. I flew in Oct./Nov. and it was allowed. You may want to check to make sure.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from St. Louis on

You may need to call and ask. The rules are always changing. Jarred baby food or cereal premixed in a jar should be subject to the same rules as other liquids like hand lotions and make, so it should just have to fit in the one quart size ziplock bag that each person is allowed. If it is dry cereal, it is not a problem. They have rules about "life sustaining liquids". For instance, they have to allow breatmilk and formula for babies. You can take (dry) snacks from home for any of them, but you have to leave the bottled waters and capri suns behind. Once you pass through security, you can purchase beverages from any of the little shops and kiosks and take them on the plane with you, you just can't bring them from home. They are much more expensive that way though. They will have juices and such on the plane. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.L.

answers from Topeka on

They are pretty flexible with what you can take. Last year we took out then 8 month old and we took all sorts of snacks etc. We even took formula so they are not usually to harsh about what you can take. Yes you can take bottled water too. At least you could last year. Have a great time!

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T.K.

answers from Springfield on

I haven't flown very much but I have found the airline's web site very helpful when it comes to answering questions like this(different airline but I'll bet Southwest's wil tell you what you need to know). Best of luck flying with your little ones!

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C.N.

answers from Kansas City on

I had no problem with taking jar food and formula for my 9-month-old in my carry-on, but were told in advance only to bring as much jar baby food/formula as the baby will need for the flight duration plus a back-up. Any food you will need for your destination, plan to pack in checked baggage or buy it when you get there. Southwest is one of most accomodating airlines and will give you water or juice once you get on board, however gate security is often not so accomodating, so I would not take anything more than you are prepared to potentially have to trash before you are allowed through security.

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

when we flew almost three years ago we had to mix all the formula, we couldn't take water at all. i would call them, because the rules can vary slightly from airline to airline, the only way to be sure is to call the 800 number. they can answer any questions you have.

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A.L.

answers from St. Louis on

looks like you are getting different responses.

I would definitely check the TSA website because regulations do change all of the time.
However, I have traveled a number of times with my 2 yo daughter, and just wanted to confirm that you can bring whatever food/drink/formula you need for your infant for the flight (allowing for delays). You just have to show it to them when you go through security. They shouldn't open it.

I'm not sure at what age that exception to the normal rules on no bottled water or other liquids ends (ie as an adult you would be forced to throw out the bottled water or capri suns).

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K.B.

answers from Wichita on

Good Morning C., at this late date I think I would call SWA and ask what can be taken. They have relaxed a little on what can and can not be taken recently. So to be safe call them.

Have a wonderful vacation, relax and enjoy making memories
God Bless you all
K. Nana of 5

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S.M.

answers from Kansas City on

They can take all the snacks they want but If you want drinks you have to get them in the airport after you go thru security even capri sun is over 3 ounces .They opened our lunchables and threw out the liquids. The jar cereal has to be under 3 oz as well .other than that you can take anything Not Liquid .All passengers must have 1 quart size baggie for liquids like makeup or anything under 3 oz small tubes of tooth paste etc otherwise you must check it under the plane .Good luck and have fun!

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L.W.

answers from St. Louis on

If the kids take any electronic games they have to be put in a seperate tote as well as laptops. You can not even put your shoes in with them. I had to take my digital camera out of the bag and send it though. I just put it on top. All liquids must be in a quart size bag this includes toothpaste, any liquid make up that you may have in your purse, as well as hand sanitizer. You can not have over a 3 oz bottle of any liquid or they will make you thow it out. Not sure about diaper rash creams it would be better to put them in the baggage that you check. Also that baggy must be pulled out of your bags so that they can see it. If it is not a quart size baggie they will make you change it. One quart size baggy per person. I would put any jar food that you are taking in a bag that you can quickly pull out and be able to show them. They want you to do all this stuff so that they can keep the lines moving. Good luck.

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B.S.

answers from Kansas City on

We fly with our little ones all the time. We love SW!

Do not even bother taking any liquids at all. You will have to throw them out at security. I have seen them throw out juice boxes and bottled water. Jar cereal probably won't pass, but you could try it. Last time, I accidentally had some buried in the bottom of my diaper bag and they didn't notice, but don't plan on it!

If you are flying out of Kansas City International be advised that they do not have water fountains at the gates (after security). I thought I could just take empty water bottles for me and my kids and fill them up there, but no. They do have vendors were you can buy juice, bottled water, etc. Kind of a rip off, but better than nothing.
They don't care about dry stuff, they do care about liquids.

Hope this helps!Have a great trip!

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E.L.

answers from St. Louis on

I flew in May with my son. We had some bottles of water and a bottle of milk. The security was really understanding. They did have to test the milk and water but they were very kind about the whole thing.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I travel all the time with my child. We just returned from Europe, in fact. First, go to the tsa.gov web site to view the information about traveling with children. It is VERY informative. You may take food for both baby & child, however, it is important that when you get to the security area, you announce that you are traveling with a baby and have food/medicine/etc. They may have you take out the food/medicine and do whatever they need to screen it. I always had bottles of formula with me, and just this past trip, I took some children's Imodium that was over 3oz. They have a "gun" that they check the liquids & medicine with. It is no big deal. At larger airports, they actually have "Family Lanes" at security for disabled and those traveling with kids. Most important, you should brief your older children on the procedures (ie, taking off shoes, backpacks through the x-ray machine) so there will be no surprises for them. Just an FYI: you can bring snacks for you and the kids. I always take grapes, raisins, cheese, cookies, etc., plus if it's a longer flight, sanwiches for us. There is no problem with bringing food on the airplane these days. Again, visit the TSA web site...it will have all the answers you need.

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S.G.

answers from Kansas City on

Snacks from home are fine. I think you'll be fine with the jarred cereal too - just make sure you're upfront with them and show it to them. I just flew in May and they said drinks for baby were fine. As far as juice for your older kids, you may or may not get through with it. What I did for my older two was just by them drinks after we got through security. I agree with the person who said to prep your kids for taking off their shoes. If you're taking a stroller, you'll have to take the baby out and send it through the machine. Also have any liquid medicines for your kids in a quart-sized ziploc to show to them. They didn't even scan mine, just glanced and sent it through.

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C.F.

answers from St. Louis on

Yes, you can definitely take snack stuff with you.

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T.M.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi, I just flew Southwest this week. You can pretty much take any food - if you are taking jar baby food you have to let them know so that they can look at it and do their little test on it (w/o opening the jar). It should be find. Now the bottled water or capri sun they may make you throw out at the security check (they only allow 2 oz of any liquid). Good luck.

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A.W.

answers from Kansas City on

I fly a lot with my daughter. You can take any unopened baby food or drinks on the plane for the 9 month old. Just make sure you declare them at security. My daughter had an opened Capri Sun the last time and they let her take it with her since she was 3 at the time.

The older kids will have to make do with what they give them on the plane. There is no getting around this one but if you ask very politely they will usually give the kids a full can of soda or a full bottle of water.

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A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I'm not sure about the baby food. I don't think you can. You can take a sippy cup with milk or juice it in (I was told this on Sunday when I flew with my baby) but I would think that baby food might be out of the question.

With regards to drinks for your older kids, I know that's an absolute no. Depending on your flight, they may give you drinks once you get into the air.

We flew at 5:30 a.m. both to and from FL and I packed Clif bars for the kids. They are energy bars and they even make kid Clif bars (Target sells them in the Energy Bar isle - in the Pharmacy section). They have a lot of fiber and protein so my kids ate those and weren't hungry until we could get somewhere to feed them a real breakfast/brunch.

We always take things to entertain the kids (books, coloring books and crayons, mp3 player, dolls, etc.). That makes the ride go a lot smoother and any time that you get stuck in an airport when flights get delayed and/or cancelled.

Good luck!

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

For sure look at the FAA website but you can not take any liquids except for the baby. They will allow a small amount of water or other for the baby but not for the other two. Food is fine.

D.H.

answers from Kansas City on

After you pass through security any drinks you purchase can be taken on the plane. But you can't go through security with liquids. Most airports now have a little snack area to purchase drinks and snacks while you wait and what you don't finish you can bring on the plane. You can bring any snack you want on the plane, we've never had trouble. An I would think that baby food in a jar that hasn't been opened would be okay. But to be sure call the airline or go to their website and see. Hope this helps some. Good luck and God Bless.

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