Advice on Airport Security- Son with Feeding Tube

I've never had problems with liquid for the babies and 2 year old (juice, formula, or milk). The TSA people in Charleston are really nice and reasonable. They didn't make me "taste it" or anything else, just told the people down the line that there was that liquid coming through after I declared it to them.

I have a son who was born with bilateral clubfoot and he had to wear a dennis brown bar (baby shoes with a bar in the middle pretty much) and when I called about traveling with him they said that I just needed a doctor's note. For liquids my guess is that they will require you to carry at least some of it in your carry-on bag but with a note from your doctor and assuming that most of them are in sealed containers you shouldn't have a problem.

HTH
Mesha

Hey V., I would call the airline carrier and explain the situation and see what they suggest. I would get a doctor's note and have it with you to show as proof for his need of the supplement drink. Just make sure you keep the drink in the original container and depending on the size of the cans, I would keep it all together in a ziploc bag. If it's something you get from the pharmacy, you will need to have the prescription label on it for proof as a medical need. I had to call and get info for my husband when we travelled. He is a double amputee and with his sleeves over his stumps, he tends to sweat a bit so he has to take off his prosthetic and remove sleeve to air and dry out, but has to you use a type of lubricant to put the sleeve on. We had to get a letter from the doctor explaining why we have to carry the lubricant with us. The funny thing was, the type of lube that worked best for him was KY Jelly Silky lubricant. I picked on him about that, even though he was self conscious about that. Do not be surprised if they pull him over to the side to check him out because of the feeding tube. They pulled my husband over, even after I had warned them tha he would set off the alarms, and checked him out. He took his legs off voluntarily for proof, but other than that it was no big deal. Good luck.

Morning V.,
I have been nursing my son for the last 10 months and I travel for work. I have gone through the security lines several times over the last year and they have never given me a problem about my milk. Take large zip lock bags with you and put ALL his food in the bags. I did get stopped one time for my son's closed baby food and they just said to make sure I pull it all out beforehand. My best advice is to put it all into one container while in line. Just like you do for your shoes, purse, jackets, etc. They cannot make you throw out food items like that.
Hope this helps.
M.

bring an rx, you'll be fine

I recommend getting some documentation from your son's doctor (we had no problems with meds when it clearly stated on the label that they needed to go on the plane with our son). Make sure there's an address and phone # in case they want to verify it. Maybe even call ahead to see if it's going to be a problem. Good luck!

Hey V., my nephew didn't have a feeding tube situation but he had surgery and a rod put into his leg he couldn't walk and standing with crutches was very painful. I can just say this my sister called the air line it was 2 yrs ago and they were very kind about giving her information on what do. She ended up needing a letter for him to carry since he just had surgery and some of the folks that check you may wan to unwrap his leg which could not be done he had rods sticking out of it and a brace and it was all wrapped up but with the letter and his parents helping him (it was after an accident) since he couldn't really push his wheelchair the security seemed to be very kind and help him. I'm sure calling them and getting names of each person and number that you talked to and keeping a record of it, will be helpful in completing what needs to be done for the trip. It's so sad we all have to go through so much these days just to travel and be safe.

I travel to Saudi Arabia with my son who has asthma and have to bring lots of medicines. I just take a note from the doctor saying that I need X amount of each medicine with me and have never had a problem.

I have traveled quite a bit with my now 19 month old son and have never had a problem carrying liquids through security. When I was nursing him, I carried on bottles and they did not question me at all. I would suggest having the formula in the cans (or in bottles) inside a plasitc bag so they can clearly see it. If they ask you any questions, just let them know that it is for your infant. Good luck!!!

I'm not sure how that all works either. Your best bet would be to call the airline you are going to be dealing with and ask them the rules. If they don't meet your specific needs then explain to them the situation and see what they say. They might be able to offer you an exemption if you provide a DR's letter explaining the need to carry X amount of cans of his food.

Good luck and have a safe flight!!
~S.

If the cans are unopened you should be good. This would be a medical reason, my suggestion would be to have his doctor to write a script that would explain the reason for the feeding needs just in case you need it. Enjoy your trip.

I would agree... deninitely call your carrier. Good luck!