Wondering About Taking Milk Through Security.........

Updated on March 06, 2009
B.O. asks from Goldsboro, NC
23 answers

Hello moms
I was wondering if anyone has flown recently with there child and gotten milk through security.. I am flying at the end of March and my daughter is possibly lactose and tolerant so I cannot just buy that anywhere so was planning to take some with me in insolated cups. Could anyone give me some advise and did they let you through. I do not know what to do and am a little worried about that... Thanks for any help...

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks everyone I feel much better. Sorry I did not get it right. It is lactose intolerant. Oops...!!! I am hoping for a smooth time through security...

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Portland on

I once had a flight attendant try to take it away because it put me over my carry on limit, and I said really loud " Honey, they are taking away my breast milk" She was so embarassed, she let me keep it. I would call TSA or check online for rules.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Seattle on

Check out the TSA website. I do believe that as long as you tell them up front about it. For instances, breast milk and formula is completely fine and drinks for small children. Read their website, print out anything you possibly can and hope for the best.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Portland on

It's a real concern these days, isn't it? Don't worry, though. You can take as much milk as seems resonable for your time in the airports. They will scan it with a spectro annalysis "gun" but they will not leave it out of the ice chest long, will wear fresh gloves when touching your milk containers, will not rub it down for explosives and will not ask you to drink or feed it to your baby in front of them. If you get there REALLY early, they may ask how long your flights and lay overs are (I was at the airport 4 hours early once because of layover changes and the need to get out of the airport for real food!).

Unfortunately, very few airports have nursing mother's rooms, but you can use your breast pump in the bathrooms. One flight asked me to not use the bathroom in back, but the one up front, and on another flight I couldn't get through the bathroom's lines so just used the hand pump in my seat with a cover. It wasn't comfortable, but after waiting so long I really needed to and the bathrooms weren't available. Of course, I dump all the milk expressed on planes and in bathrooms because of the lack of boiling water to clean equipment between pumping. (The flight attendants did offer the tea water, but I didn't feel the pump was really clean after using it).

Good luck on your trip and take care!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Corvallis on

iT is perfectly fine to take milk on the plain for your baby. I have flown twice with my 21month old and never had a problem with the bottles. If they do anything, they will do a swab on where the lid goes on the bottle.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.A.

answers from Seattle on

I have 2 kids and flown lots (just flew over Xmas). You can bring food and milk on the plane for a baby. They have new test kits that they hold over the milk (it doesn't touch the milk). Just make sure you arrive early enough to take the extra time through security. It's not a lot of time but much more involved than it was by yourself.

I recommend that you put some milk in a kid's cup for the baby to drink in the airport. If you plan to bring more, you should buy a liquid container to hold it. If you keep the milk in a container with a straw it will blow when the plane takes off/lands and you will have milk overflowing from the cup (even a little amount). I take the lids completely off the straw cups and hold in my lap b/c I've had this problem too many times and have tried multiple solutions.

Good luck and be as organized as you can through security b/c it will make it all go more smoothly.

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

I believe you are allowed to take milk through. you are with kids. I know you are allowed to take formula. call your airline and find out or go to TSA.com or gov not sure the dot..whatever. they have the exacts on things. good luck and happy flying!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Portland on

It's not a problem. Just point it out at the beginning. The times I've flown with my daughter, I brought all manner of foods and her sippy cup (no bottles since we're breastfeeding). Good luck with your travels!
Also you might consider a few new (to her) toys/books to bring on the plane, introduce one every half-hour to an hour. Also nursing/pacifier during takeoff and landing goes a long way to helping their ears.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

I would call the airport to find out. Last time I flew I had to empty the boys sippy cups and bottles, but was allowed to bring unopened and sealed bottles of Pedisure.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Seattle on

Most security people let anything 'for baby' through without question. You can also put it in three oz. bottles, although that shouldn't be necessary. I find that making it obviously baby (like in a baby bottle, not a regular bottle) also helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Seattle on

There's no problem taking n bottles of water or formula or milk for the baby. Just tell the people at security it's for the baby and they take care of you. I've gone as recently as last month with bottles and had no problem whatsoever.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Eugene on

I travel with my daughter about every 2-3 months since she was 6 weeks old and I have gone through every security measure (they do keep changing them!) As of now, you can bring any water, juice or milk for your baby, you just have to declare it and they will most likely bring you over to an area where they will have you open it and then they will do a test to be sure it is not whatever they are looking for (they dont touch the liquid, they hold a little strip over the opening of the bottle to make sure it doesnt test for chemicals or whatever.) I wouldn't bring a ton with you, but they have never been sticklers about it being 3oz or anything--I bring my daughter's water bottle which is 10oz and have never had an issue. The testing thing is a tad inconvenient when you have a baby in tow, but it's pretty quick and a lot easier than having to find a specific milk for her at the airport! Safe travels!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.P.

answers from Portland on

I flew last March with my 6m old and took 3 prepared bottles with me in a little cooler tucked in my diaper backpack and they did not give me any trouble. I just made sure to point it out to the screener and he said it was OK, to just leave it in the bag. This time around I plan on just taking dry formula and mixing a bottle after I am at the gate since my daughter only takes a bottle at naptime (which will hopefully be on the plane).

Another tip...if it's really busy and crowded at the security line, ask to go through the handicapped/special needs line (if they have one). When I went through the Las Vegas airport (crazy crazy long line) the guy at the beginning sent me to the special needs line and it was much easier and faster. If they don't offer to send you that way, I'd ask.

PS. the term is lactose intolerant, just so you know.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Seattle on

I have flown 16 times with my two-year-old son and they have always let us through with whatever liquid was in his bottle or sippy cup. Just make sure you bring it out of the bag and show it to them. In Chicago they had a machine that sniffed it, but most of the time they understand if it's milk and let you through. On the odd occasion I've had them dump his water, but never milk. You should be fine.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Yakima on

Hi!
The rule with the TSA thing is that if you have a note from the doctor they will let it through security. If it is a short flight and the doctor will not give you a note consider purchasing juice to keep little one happy until the you are back in the civilized world.

Good luck!
*K

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Portland on

You are allowed to bring it, but only as much as you will need for the flight. If it is only a 2 hour flight, they won't let you bring 32 ounces. It does not have to be packaged any specific way, but you do have to declare it when going through security.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.T.

answers from Portland on

Hi,
We travel quite a bit, and haven't had trouble recently. Things seem to have improved in the last 2 years. We have a 4 yo and a 2 yo, bring 4-8oz sippy cups of milk each, plus 4 juice boxes. Make sure to put them in Big Zip lock bags and place them out in the bins, not inside carry on. Security will probably pull you aside and nicely ask if they can do a harmless test. They will run a paper test strip over the outside, no biggy. If anyone questions the amount you are bringing, let them know your child has alergies, and you are concerned about delays, layovers, etc. If you need more for your destination, just put those into checked luggage. Also, find out if they have your product at destination--You can even call the manufacturer for stores. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.S.

answers from Seattle on

Call the airline and ask them.

When we took our kids a year ago. They were allowed to have their sippy cups filled with whatever they wanted. Security and everyone in line were very cooperative and understanding. Although it was stressful, everything went smoothly.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.F.

answers from Portland on

Ihave flown at least twice a year for the last 4 years and have always taken two sippy cups or bottles of juice for my daughter. Sometimes I tell them before I put it through the xray but most often I dont. I have been checked about half the time because they were packed inside a backpack. But once I explained what they were for and they saw my daughter I have never had any other problems.

I have only had to open the bottles once, this last time I flew through Ontario, CA airport. I think the TSA just wanted to be a jerk. He made me open both sippy cups and held a litmus stick over it and then dropped a drop of something over the stick (away from the bottle) and nothing happened. I asked him what color it was suppose to turn to if it was bad and he whispered "its a secret" What a jerk!

One time I was nervous and got a letter written by my doctor that it was medically necessary to have it, but I never had to use it.

Just act as calm as possible traveling with a little one and let TSA do what they need to. I cant believe they would ever make you throw it away.

D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Seattle on

I haven't reviewed the other responses, but given the age of your daughter I would just tell the security people that it is breastmilk. My experience has been that as soon as that word comes out of your mouth they are more than willing to just wave you through. Tell the person checkign your boarding pass and ID - they may direct you to a family line at security.

If you just can't bring yourself to fib you might call the airline and see what their policy is. But I bet if you call it breastmilk they question you at all.

Good luck and safe travels!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from Richland on

Just flew last month...no problem. Just take out the baby supplies when you get to security. They will put a special wand, paper thing over it to check it. I even took some water in a sippy cup and they were fine with it. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Portland on

You could always mail it in an insulated package to your hotel or destination. You might even be able to call hotel and have them put it in the fridge when it gets there. I have many allergies and that is what I do. Good luck and happy travels!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Seattle on

Here's a link to the TSA's website. Just be firm if they give you a hard time. Some workers might not be familiar with the policies so it may help to print it out just in case. I convinced one TSA worker to even let me take a regular-sized bottle of water through because they didn't have a place to buy water past the checkpoint at a small airport & my son needed to drink on take-off for his ears (I don't trust water from the drinking fountain). Happy travels! :-)

<http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.s...;

--J.C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.P.

answers from Seattle on

Check the FAA website for the security measures. (The local airport site should have them, too.) A little over a year ago I flew with my then 1 year old and my severely peanut allergic 4 year old. I had a whole back pack full of food (including yogurt which is not technically allowed) and milk. As I recall, with an "infant," you can take milk, formula, etc. through security. We did not have any issue flying either direction. The other thing I know food allergic families often do is get a note from their doctor saying that they must carry their own food, Epi-Pens, etc. They then use this at security and it works.

Have fun in your travels.
C.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches