Liquid carry on regulations for Flying (Baby Formula?)

[Grendalynn]

Ok - yet another flying question.... Mine is this: Wha is the offical situation for flying with liquids? I ask because we leave next week for florida (not Disney this time unfortunatly) and I am curious what to bring for baby formula? Powder (and water) or liquid formula? I just bought a pack of nursettes thinking that would be easiest - mixing and measuring - just screw on a nipple and go.

Anyway- I wanted to be sure before I get to the gate and have to dump $50 worth of formula! I have briefly looked itup on line, but can't decifer the legal mumbo jumbo. Thanks o so much in advance for the insight!

 

[NotUrsula]

You have to "declare" baby foods/formula -- that is, take it out of your bag and put it through separately so that the TSO's can see it.

The standard on amount that they use is "sufficient for the flight." My personal standard for that is that there is no way I'm going into an airport without 24 hours worth of supplies for any baby that is travelling. You never know when you might get stuck on a runway.

I don't think you could justify an entire trip's worth in carryon, though. The only kind of thing that would pass that standard would be medications, since they are so valuable and attractive as theft targets, and so difficult to replace when away from home.

 

[tjmw2727]

You are allowed to bring formula for baby it falls outside of the 3-3-1 rule. However the wording reads that you should bring "only what is necessary for the flight" and some TSA agents are more strict than others.

I would bring as many nursettes as you think you need and then maybe some powder for just in case. You can get water after security and onboard to mix the powder.

Here is a link to the TSA section for traveling by air and traveling with children. Its a great resource and I suggest checking it every so often before you fly.

Traveling with Children: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm
Bringing formula or breastmilk:http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
General information and 3-3-1:http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/index.shtm

HTH
TJ

 

[HappyStamper]

I wonder if you could get around the whole issue by just bringing the formula powder and getting water from the flight attendant?

 

[Grendalynn]

Thank you - simple, short and sweet! Much easier and user friendly than to search and search the Net! Thanks again - I know I can always count on my Disers!

 

[dsneygirl]

You have to "declare" baby foods/formula -- that is, take it out of your bag and put it through separately so that the TSO's can see it.

The standard on amount that they use is "sufficient for the flight." My personal standard for that is that there is no way I'm going into an airport without 24 hours worth of supplies for any baby that is travelling. You never know when you might get stuck on a runway.

I totally agree with this. I know winter is almost over but delays still happen and being trapped with a baby and no formula would be a nightmare.

We have flown 3 times with DS. I usually had a bottle pre made and 2 or 3 cans of ready to feed. Enough for almost 24 hours. The TSA seems inconsistent (shocker) no one ever gave me a hard time but in Orlando they wrote down the quantity in each can (8oz).

Hopefully you have no problems.

 

[NU2WDW]

I highly recommend that if your baby hasn't been using the pre-made nursettes already, that you try them out before you travel to see how he does with them. I always used the powder mix but when my youngest DD was still taking formula, we took a trip and I used the pre-made bottles for the flight and travel time. Cold turkey. BIG mistake! The consistency is different (it's much smoother/creamier and it smells a lot different, too) and she balked at first. It also gave her diarrhea and did NOT agree with her. So try before you buy and have a great trip!

 

[TiggerStac]

Ok...I'm flying on tuesday and this is what I decided to do.

I was going to bring my individual packets of formula and put the h2o in his bottles and go from there. Well, I changed my mind. I bought a case (6 cans) of premade formula. I am going to pack 3 in suitcase and 3 in diaper bag. I am, also, bringing some indivdual packs w/me. I'll get some water when we first get on from the flight attendants, so it can get back to room temp, incase we need it. I have just heard conflicting stories about having the h2o ready in the bottle, etc. and if I bought h2o once in the terminal, it would be refridgerated. I could ask to see if they had one that wasn't...but decided to go this way, instead. Plus that way, I'm not paying $3.00 for a bottle of h2o.

 

[labst60]

I wouldn't **count** on H20 being available on the planes - think of all those horrible cases in the past few weeks/months where people were on the runway for 8-10 hours and the planes ran out of water- sure, it is unlikely, but I would not want to COUNT on that water to feed an infant. Either bring the readymade or buy your own water once you pass through security so that you will be set for 12 hours - worst case scenario.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you want to carry water through security along with formula powder, it generally will be let through as long as the water is already in baby bottles. This will mean carrying more actual bottles than you would otherwise be likely to take with you, but they won't let you through with water in any other kind of container. (Empty containers are fine, though, if you don't have issues with tap water from the airside airport water fountains.)

Most planes carry a fairly limited supply of bottled water, and it often runs out even under normal flight conditions. Once it does, the FA's switch over to serving from the general water tank that serves the coffee machines. Tests done by consumer groups have several times found that this water is much less clean than average tap water if served at tank temp. If it came to this, I would advise asking the FA to fill an empty bottle with boiling water, then waiting for it to cool down. When it comes to water on planes, it is always best to carry your own supply whenever possible.

BTW, winter isn't the only season when airports get ground-stopped for weather. It frequently happens at other times, when electrical storms are the big culprit. I would encourage any travelling parent to read the Chicago Tribune's Pulitzer Prize-winning stories called "Gateway to Gridlock" about what happened when weather shut down O'Hare on September 11, 2000. (not THAT September 11th -- this happened the year before.) http://www.pulitzer.org/year/2001/explanatory-reporting/works/chicago1.html

 

[Grendalynn]

Thank you for all the great info, ideas and opinions! Many of which I hadn't considered, like being stuck inthe tarmac, and then what!!?? Thanks again - I am starting my packing and have given DS some of the nursettes and he seems to be taking them fine! And he entertains himself by trying to feed himself - a win win situation!! Thanks again!