Flying With Baby Food and Milk
Updated: June 08, 2023
Questions about the rules for flying with baby food and milk are among the biggest concerns for parents traveling with young children.
Regulations have tightened considerably over recent years and you’ll hear all sorts of horror stories about baby food and formula being confiscated at security.
Here we help you establish just how the rules affect YOU – and how to avoid running into problems at the airport.
Please note that, whilst the information given here is intended to be as accurate as possible, the final decision about what you may bring through airport security rests solely with the airport security officers.
The guidelines we refer to on this page were originally established in the USA, but most have now been adopted globally.
Please bear in mind, though, that there may be some local differences and it’s a good idea to check with the airports/airlines you’ll be flying with for specific advice.
You’ll find some useful links at the end of this page.
What are the current rules about packing liquids, gels and aerosols in cabin baggage?
If you plan to take liquids, gels and aerosols in your hand luggage (and this includes diaper/nappy cream), then they need to be in containers NO LARGER than 3.4 oz (100ml).
This means that you can’t carry, for example, 3 oz of diaper cream in a 6 oz container.
The container itself must be less than 3.4 oz (100ml).
You must then put your 3.4 oz containers into a transparent, zip-top bag no larger than 1 quart (or 1 litre) and seal the top.
You are not allowed to use any other type of bag – and your 3.4 oz containers must fit comfortably into it.
You are only allowed to bring 1 zip-top bag per person – so, if you have too many 3.4 oz containers for one zip-top bag, then you must pack some into your checked bags or they will be taken from you at security.
Please note that – contrary to popular belief – the 3.4 oz containers themselves do NOT need to be transparent.
The zip-top bag, on the other hand, MUST be transparent.
When you get to airport security, you need to remove the zip-top bag from your hand luggage and present it for screening separately.
Remember – the zip-top bag MUST be sealed.
Can I take baby food and formula on an airplane? Do these need to be in 3.4 oz containers, too?
No – baby food and milk are exempt from the rules affecting other liquids and gels…
Baby food
You are allowed to bring enough baby food for the flight, although ‘reasonable amounts’ are not actually specified anywhere.
There have been occasions where airport security staff have deemed the amount of baby food that parents have attempted to bring through security as excessive – and it is the final decision of the security staff as to the amount that is allowed.
So, tempting as it may be, don’t go overboard with the amount of baby food that you pack in your hand baggage.
In fact, the best option is to bring on foods like whole avocados or bananas that you can just open and mash up once you’re on the aircraft – they are not subject to the rules affecting liquids and gels.
DON’T put any quantity of baby food over 3.4 oz (100ml) in your zip-top bag.
Instead, you need to present this separately to security staff and declare that you have it.
If you try to put it through the scanner without declaring it, then it may be taken away from you.
You need to declare all jarred, canned (tinned) and liquid baby food, although powdered baby food is exempt from this rule.
Formula and juice
The same rules that apply to taking baby food on an airplane also apply to formula and juice, but you MUST declare it to security staff and present it for inspection.
The TSA recommends transporting formula in clear, translucent bottles rather than plastic bags or pouches.
This isn't a hard and fast rule, but plastic bags and pouches can't be screened by Bottle Liquid Scanners. This means you may be asked to open them.
Can I carry on powdered formula and water to mix on board the airplane?
Whilst there are no restrictions on the amount of powdered formula brought through airport security or on to the aircraft, water is a very different matter.
Although we know of parents who HAVE been allowed to take through bottles of water to mix with formula, we also know of many occasions where water has been taken away.
The best option is to buy bottled water from the stores AFTER the security point, or to ask for water on board the airplane.
Breast milk
Breast milk, too, may be brought on to an airplane, following the rules for presentation at security points as described above.
You do not need to have your child with you in order to bring breast milk on to an airplane, as long as the milk is declared and presented for inspection at security.
As with formula, the TSA recommends transporting formula and breast milk in clear, translucent bottles rather than plastic bags or pouches.
Can I use ice packs on an airplane to keep baby food and milk cool?
Yes - ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food are all allowed in carry-ons, as are liquid-filled teethers.
They are subject to the same rules for presentation as described above.
What about flying with medicine for my baby?
Liquid medication for your baby is allowed in carry-on bags in excess of 3.4 oz (100ml) if considered a reasonable quantity for the flight.
Although you are required to tell the officer that you have the medication, you don't need to put it into a zip-top bag.
Medications do not need to be in their prescription bottles, but are subject to screening by X-ray.
You can, however, request a visual inspection instead.
We all respect and understand the importance of thorough screening at the airport – but, as parents, it can be very traumatic if what we see as essential baby items are taken away from us.
We strongly recommend printing out the government guidelines for the airports you’ll be traveling through and taking them with you when you fly – just in case you have followed the regulations but still experience problems at the airport.
If you have had problems flying with baby food, formula, breast milk or juice – or have any tips for doing so – then we want to know!
Please contact us here and share your experience of flying with baby food
(be sure to include the name/country of the airport or airline involved).
This information is invaluable for other parents and they (and we) greatly appreciate your taking the time to share it with us.
Warning from Jenni, US, regarding Oakland International Airport
We purchased a sealed 6 oz. container of Dannon yogurt for our son to eat on the plane before we went through security, and they confiscated it – even though it was sealed!
My experience with SNA/John Wayne Airport, Orange County, CA from KT, US
I was away for 5 days on business and pumped the entire time. I took extra care to make sure milk was properly stored…Read more
Flying With Baby – Istanbul International, Turkey
The security staff screening people for the NY, JFK airport flight tried to separate me from my 5 week old son…Read more
Other tips for going through airport security with a baby
- Get there with plenty of time to spare – EVERYTHING takes longer with a little one in tow!
- Be prepared to take your baby out of his carrier or stroller for screening.
You will not be separated from your baby during screening – nor should you pass him to anyone behind or in front of you during the screening process. Don’t try to pass him to security staff, either! - Be prepared to put all your baby equipment through the x-ray machine (this includes blankets, toys and diaper bags).
If they will fit, larger items like strollers, car/booster seats, carriers, slings and backpacks must go through, too (so be sure to collapse or fold them as you reach the security point).
Large items that will not fit through the xray machine will be inspected visually by security staff.
Sources:
Transportation Security Administration (US) – Traveling with Children
Hand Luggage Restrictions at UK Airports
Australian Border Force – What Can You Bring on a Plane?
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
Wikipedia’s comprehensive list of worldwide airlines (with contact information)
More Tips for Traveling with Baby...
Our main ‘Traveling with Baby’ section
Baby feeding travel accessories
