Bottles of Milk in carry on?

[dougsmom98]

Hi. We are leaving on Sunday and I am trying to plan how we are going to take milk for my 19 month old. The TSA website says that breast milk and formula are ok in carry on luggage, but it doesn't say anything about milk. My DD has been off of formula for a long time but still like her milk in a bottle when traveling in a car or when it is time for a nap. Can I bring a couple of bottles of milk with me, or do I have to bring empty bottles and buy milk after I get through security? How much do you think milk will cost at the airport?
Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[MomToAp1699]

My DD has been off of formula for a long time but still like her milk in a bottle when traveling in a car or when it is time for a nap. Can I bring a couple of bottles of milk with me, or do I have to bring empty bottles and buy milk after I get through security? How much do you think milk will cost at the airport?
Thanks for any help you can give me.

I think what they say and what they do are two diffrent things, My sister and her family recently flew to Disney and she had two bottles of breast-milk in her carry on. They required her to feed one to the baby before boarding and then took the other from her and would not allow her to take any aboard the plane

 

[suffolkprincess]

When we flew in November, NO liquids over the size limit were allowed except for breast milk. I would suggest that you plan on buying some milk on the other side of security. It will probably cost about $2-3 for a bottle of it. You shouldn't have any trouble with having an empty bottle with you to go thru security; we had an empty sippy cup and they didn't give us any trouble over it. We bought juice and water on the other side and filled the cup ourselves. I also saw, on the plane, the flight attendants helping another Mom by filling a bottle with milk for her. (We were flying Southwest.)

 

[TheDizMom]

I would just bring her bottle and buy a small carton of milk after you get through security. Keep it unopened and just in case your receipt to prove you bought it at a concession stand. You should be ok that way. You are right to bring it though because more then likely they won't have any on the plane. If you are really concerned about it could she have watered down juice instead, something they would have on board.

 

[LISAVWL]

we just flew last week, Southwest, and I bought 2 bottles of milk once we went through security -- one for take off and one for landing. I wasn't sure if they offered it on the plane and I didn't want to take the chance. At the security check they asked if I had any cups or bottles, I showed them the empty cups and they didn't have a problem with it.

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

We flew Southwest and when I asked if they had milk they said no. So I wouldn't bet on that. I was SOOOO upset as my son likes milk when he needs to calm down. They don't sell milk in the airport and they didn't give any on the planes.

 

[suffolkprincess]

We flew Southwest and when I asked if they had milk they said no. So I wouldn't bet on that. I was SOOOO upset as my son likes milk when he needs to calm down. They don't sell milk in the airport and they didn't give any on the planes.

I had the same experience, actually, and forgot to mention it in my earlier post-- for the early am flights they seemed to have milk (we didn't get it but saw others with it) but when we asked for milk in our afternoon flight they did NOT have any. We were definitely able to buy milk at Orlando airport and Norfolk airport on the other side of security.

 

[tjmw2727]

According to the TSA you are supposed to be allowed breastmilk or formula for babies but only an amount that is "reasonable for the flight". However, like pp's have mentioned there is lots of discretion so I would not count on bringing it through security. Some may not allow it because its milk and others may not consider a 19mo an baby. You just never know and IMHO its not worth an argument.

I would bring a few empty bottles or favorite sippies and purchase the milk after you clear security. Most flights do not carry milk at all, even the morning flights now carry the cream packs or powder (blech). You are allowed to bring anything purchased after security onboard.

Since you can't bring an ice pack consider brining a soft sided cooler with frozen grapes to keep the milk cold after you purchase it. You can also bring some snacks and such - just no liquids or gels - (pudding, applesauce etc).

Here is the page from TSA on traveling with children, you may find it helpful.

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

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

Just fyi you can purchase milk after security in the Orlando airport - all the magazine type gift shops have it as do the McDonalds/Sbarro type food courts.

You can also check your local airport online to see what's available. Most have a map of services and restaurants available at the gates. This way you will have an idea what your options are and can plan accordingly.

HTH
TJ

 

[suffolkprincess]

What about that toddler formula? That would work because you could certainly take the powder thru security and onboard AND you can ALWAYS get bottled water at shops and in flight.

Would your 19 mo drink it? My DD did at that age... maybe its worth a try. I am pretty sure that there is a WalMart brand for it.

 

[NotUrsula]

First off, if you haven't flown before with the child, think hard about giving her milk during a flight -- having dairy in her stomach will make airsickness a much nastier experience.

Cow's milk in commercial packaging is not going to get through security. However, if you repackage it into baby bottles the TSO's will not be able to question the difference between that and breast milk, as long as a baby is travelling. (They are NOT allowed to make you drink it, etc. to prove what it is.) Especially if they are male, they are not likely to be able to recognize breast milk when they see it, particularly if you have frozen it. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

Sufficient for the flight is a very subjective standard. AFAIC, I'm carrying 24 hours worth of whatever my child needs. You never know when you might end up stuck on a runway for hours.

 

[MinnieGi]

We just flew two weeks ago. I made sure we did not have any liquids on us. As I have a 2yo I did have his sippy cup and planned to buy milk after passing through security. This worked fine. The TSA agent specifically asked if I had any milk or formula for my little guy. It seemed he would have let it go through no problem even though he was 2 and certainly not a baby. But since there is so much discretion I would just plan to buy the milk in terminal.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

we just flew last week, Southwest, and I bought 2 bottles of milk once we went through security -- one for take off and one for landing. I wasn't sure if they offered it on the plane

Southwest does not provide milk on their planes.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/inflight.html

 

[2diamonds&a~gem]

Just just flew Southwest from Indy to MCO Jan 28th and back to Indy on Feb 2nd. In Indy they allowed us to take a bottle of water in our carry on that had not been opened for DD 3.5. In MCO they wouldnt allow anything for her that was not in a BABY BOTTLE. They said if I had a bottle that I could put the water in it for her, but no bottle- no go.
I know here and @ MCO once you pass security there are shops that sell milk, water, juice and the like. Maybe it would be easier to just carry on the bottle and be prepared to buy the milk once you get pass security, this could avoid the bag check, full body wand check and such.
Good Luck!

 

[princessjv]

When we flew a few weeks ago I had enough milk for my toddler in sippy cups for the day, which I placed in a small insultated bag. As we went through the check points, I opened the bag and made sure that the security people knew that I had milk. They thanked me for opening my bag and and having it ready to verify. I also had a copy of the newest regulations with me (just in case I had a problem).