Can I bring Almond milk through security at the airport?

[momof3poohlovers]

I posted this on the Families board but someone suggested I try here and since I don't know how to move a thread, here I am! My son is 14 months and has a dairy allergy and doesn't seem to tolerate soy either. Do you think they will allow me to bring 2 bottles of Almond or Coconut milk through security next month? I know they allow formula but he is over a year old so I wasn't sure if they would allow me to bring milk for him to drink. We have a 6 hour flight with a stop over in the middle for about 2 hours so we are looking at about 10 hours from check-in to landing assuming there are no delays. Other than the non-dairy milks, he only drinks water but doesn't drink enough water to last him 12 hours and it's not like I would be able to buy Almond milk at the airport. I will get a Dr. note explaining the allergy but I was just wondering what other parents of toddlers have experienced. The TSA website just mentions formula, breastmilk, and juice. Should I just let them think it is formula and not say anything or will they question it because he is over a year. I will not lie if asked what it is. Don't feel like being arrested!

 

[gigi1313]

i have had no problem bringing sealed containers of drinks for my ds (at all ages up 'til most recent 2.5yo)... i have put them in a quart baggie (think juice box type box of milk, toddler juice in a "bottle" with a sippy cup type spout, and a regular ol' bottle of poland spring water)... i did not put it in his baby bottle but brought it sealed... the wanded it and all was well...

just a note, not sure where you are stopping, but a lot of the airports have starbucks and they often (at least in our 'hood) carry soy milk... you could possibly get a refill there if necessary (they actually filled my baby's bottle w/regular milk when asked if they sold milk)... it might be worth looking into just for peace of mind if nothing else!

 

[momof3poohlovers]

i have had no problem bringing sealed containers of drinks for my ds (at all ages up 'til most recent 2.5yo)... i have put them in a quart baggie (think juice box type box of milk, toddler juice in a "bottle" with a sippy cup type spout, and a regular ol' bottle of poland spring water)... i did not put it in his baby bottle but brought it sealed... the wanded it and all was well...

just a note, not sure where you are stopping, but a lot of the airports have starbucks and they often (at least in our 'hood) carry soy milk... you could possibly get a refill there if necessary (they actually filled my baby's bottle w/regular milk when asked if they sold milk)... it might be worth looking into just for peace of mind if nothing else!

Unfortunately he can't have soy either so it's been a real pain in the butt! We are flying out of Ontario airport in California and I know that with my older kids (before my new little one), they couldn't bring juice boxes or water or it would get tossed (been there, tried that) but they were a lot older (my older DS was probably 10 at the time). I also saw them last time confiscate a sippy cup with some kind of liquid in it and not give the cup back which I think is ridiculous. The same trip we saw the cup confiscated, we were traveling with our 10 month old and we had several bottles of formula though and had no issues.

 

[gigi1313]

it could depend on the airport... we've had no problem at islip (ny), orlando and west palm...

does starbucks carry almond milk? i'm not familiar w/it as we have serious nut allergies! or does it come in "juicebox" size boxes? if so, that's the way i'd go... and i'm assuming you are having some sent to your resort for while you are there, right?

 

[backyardponder]

You might want to contact your Congressional Representative's office and see if they can get some better information from TSA. They are usually very helpful with this type of question since they want you to remember them in November!

 

[momof3poohlovers]

it could depend on the airport... we've had no problem at islip (ny), orlando and west palm...

does starbucks carry almond milk? i'm not familiar w/it as we have serious nut allergies! or does it come in "juicebox" size boxes? if so, that's the way i'd go... and i'm assuming you are having some sent to your resort for while you are there, right?

We are actually flying into Fort Lauderdale as this is a non-Disney trip for us. We are going to Club Med. So anyone with info on FLL for the return flight would also be helpful.

I don't know if Starbucks carries it, I wouldn't think so but no clue. I do think it comes in juicebox size though. I guess I figured if it was in a bottle the TSA would just assume it is formula and wouldn't make a fuss about it. Also, DS still isn't drinking from a cup/straw that great yet. Half of it ends up spilling out of his mouth. Of course I could always pour the boxed milk into a bottle. We will have a rental car so we will be stopping by Walmart to pick up some on the way to the resort. Sorry about your nut allergies! DS is the same way with dairy. He is very allergic. Thank goodness he can drink the nut based milks.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

You might want to contact your Congressional Representative's office and see if they can get some better information from TSA. They are usually very helpful with this type of question since they want you to remember them in November!

Thanks, I did try contacting the TSA themselves but they are closed on the weekend. I will try tomorrow though.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would personlly just fill 2 or 3 baby bottles with the almond milk, put them in a cooler with an ice pack and off you go. Declare them to the TSA as formula for your baby and have a printout of the exception from the TSA website handy just in case. IMHO if the TSA sees a baby bottle they are going to realize you have a baby/toddler and not pursue further.

If your child prefers a sippy cup then have an empty one in your carryon and you can just pour the almond milk (aka formula) into the sippy cup.

The TSA may test the liquid for explosive qualities but they will have no idea if its formula, milk, soy, almond milk etc.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I would personlly just fill 2 or 3 baby bottles with the almond milk, put them in a cooler with an ice pack and off you go. Declare them to the TSA as formula for your baby and have a printout of the exception from the TSA website handy just in case. IMHO if the TSA sees a baby bottle they are going to realize you have a baby/toddler and not pursue further.

If your child prefers a sippy cup then have an empty one in your carryon and you can just pour the almond milke (aka formula) into the sippy cup.

The TSA may test the liquid for explosive qualities but they will have no idea if its formula, milk, soy, almond milk etc.

This is what I figured too. I guess they wouldn't start tasting it to see what it really is. I just wasn't sure about him being over a year if you could still bring "formula" aka Almond milk on board.

 

[DebbieB]

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

I would consider it baby formula. It does not mention age, it just says infants or toddlers. I would call a 1 year old a toddler.

 

[tjmw2727]

This is what I figured too. I guess they wouldn't start tasting it to see what it really is. I just wasn't sure about him being over a year if you could still bring "formula" aka Almond milk on board.

If you look at the TSA website on traveling with formula/breastmilk it says they can't/won't taste but they "may" test!

There is no specific age - just babies/toddlers and I think 99.9 if not 100% of people would consider a 14mo a todder if not a baby

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I guess it is technically his "formula" since he can't drink milk. I will still get the Dr. note just in case they ask for it but won't offer it up unless there is a problem. I will just put the milk in his bottle. Last time we flew, he was still on formula and we had no problems. They did test it by opening it up and using something to test for explosives but that was all. They probably won't even pay attention to his age. I am probably worrying for no reason.

 

[tjmw2727]

I guess it is technically his "formula" since he can't drink milk. I will still get the Dr. note just in case they ask for it but won't offer it up unless there is a problem. I will just put the milk in his bottle. Last time we flew, he was still on formula and we had no problems. They did test it by opening it up and using something to test for explosives but that was all. They probably won't even pay attention to his age. I am probably worrying for no reason.

I don't think "being prepared" is worrying for no reason Better safe than sorry right?

I do think you will be fine and I would bring more than one bottle just in case of a delay and declare it as if you have done it thousands of times before. Ie .... .... Formula in baby bottles for the baby in the cooler with the ice pack.

My dd was still on a "follow up formula" until 18mos as she could only drink soy and the follow up stuff at the time was the best.

I would have needed to do just what your doing and she was off the bottle at 10 months.

 

[gigi1313]

We are actually flying into Fort Lauderdale as this is a non-Disney trip for us. We are going to Club Med. So anyone with info on FLL for the return flight would also be helpful.

I don't know if Starbucks carries it, I wouldn't think so but no clue. I do think it comes in juicebox size though. I guess I figured if it was in a bottle the TSA would just assume it is formula and wouldn't make a fuss about it. Also, DS still isn't drinking from a cup/straw that great yet. Half of it ends up spilling out of his mouth. Of course I could always pour the boxed milk into a bottle. We will have a rental car so we will be stopping by Walmart to pick up some on the way to the resort. Sorry about your nut allergies! DS is the same way with dairy. He is very allergic. Thank goodness he can drink the nut based milks.

i always carried the milk boxes and poured them in clean baby bottles... it was just easier... i don't know about almond milk, but the not needing to keep it cold (and then warm it for ds as that was his preference) was one less thing to worry about!

i did a google and it said that some starbucks do carry almond milk, but i've no clue if the airport locations are some of those some!

 

[gigi1313]

We are actually flying into Fort Lauderdale as this is a non-Disney trip for us. We are going to Club Med. So anyone with info on FLL for the return flight would also be helpful.

ooh, Club Med Sandpiper? we've been looking at that resort as a possible family vacation... i have two teens (16 and 14) and a soon-to-be 3year old... i would LOVE your feedback! (i think i read somewhere in the thread that you have older child/ren as well, so our experience would probably closely mimic yours)

THANKS!

 

[onyx8]

If you look at the TSA website on traveling with formula/breastmilk it says they can't/won't taste but they "may" test!

There is no specific age - just babies/toddlers and I think 99.9 if not 100% of people would consider a 14mo a todder if not a baby

The "test" is for chemicals - they open the bottle/cup and hold a piece of paper over the contents. They are not testing to see if it's formula or milk or juice, only if it contains certain chemicals.

OP, you should have no issues traveling with the milk, I have traveled numorous times with milk and my toddler and never had it taken away.

 

[tjmw2727]

The "test" is for chemicals - they open the bottle/cup and hold a piece of paper over the contents. They are not testing to see if it's formula or milk or juice, only if it contains certain chemicals.

OP, you should have no issues traveling with the milk, I have traveled numorous times with milk and my toddler and never had it taken away.

Not sure why you quoted and "corrected me" as that is exactly what I said?

 

[momof3poohlovers]

The "test" is for chemicals - they open the bottle/cup and hold a piece of paper over the contents. They are not testing to see if it's formula or milk or juice, only if it contains certain chemicals.

I knew about the "test" and I think that may be what PP was referring to as well. I think the paper was like a Litmus paper that probably turns colors at the presence of certain chemicals. It never touches the formula.

OP, you should have no issues traveling with the milk, I have traveled numorous times with milk and my toddler and never had it taken away.

Thanks! This is what I was looking for.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Not sure why you quoted and "corrected me" as that is exactly what I said?

I understood what you meant. Maybe PP thought other's who read it may have thought it meant that they test the formula not the actual container.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

ooh, Club Med Sandpiper? we've been looking at that resort as a possible family vacation... i have two teens (16 and 14) and a soon-to-be 3year old... i would LOVE your feedback! (i think i read somewhere in the thread that you have older child/ren as well, so our experience would probably closely mimic yours)

THANKS!

We are going to Club Med Sandpiper. We have actually been 3 other times and we love it. I don't love it as much as Disney but my DH and kids definitely do. My kids are 19, 15, 12 and 14 months. My 19 year old is in college so she is going to miss out this trip but DD 15 and DS 12 will be there. If your kids are active and into sports they will love it. There are so many activities to keep them busy. My DD loves the trapeze at the circus and everyone in my family plays tennis so that is a big one for us. They even have fun activities for the little ones. Starting at 3, they play golf, tennis, the circus, swim in a toddler appropriate pool and splash area. It is great. At least we think so. I will let you know how this trip works out.