Powdered formula on plane?

[megan&joeysmommy]

Can I bring a can of powdered formula on the plane? I don't really want to buy RTU formula if I don't have to. For that matter, can I bring anything else that's in a metal can (like tuna or beans)? If so, should it go in checked or carry-on luggage?

 

[Antiguan]

Why take the formula in a can? Premeasure it and put it in small Tupperware type continers or sandwich ziplock bags. Measuring formula on a plane is not a good idea. Your space is limited and it takes some dexterity to do that operation without spilling something. The can can go in your checked baggage to be used when you get there.

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

I was thinking I didn't want the formula lost or I'd be doomed! At the time of day we're flying, I will only need one bottle and plan to have that made and in a small cooler bag with the snacks for all of us.

I also read somewhere not to put food in checked bags. Anyone else hear of this?

 

[owensamo]

While I can't imagine a can of formula would be a problem, in either checked or carry-on luggage, you may want to go ahead and put it in a tupperware/ziplock anyway. That way if there's any doubt and they do a hand-check, they can look at it without opening it.

Of course, we noticed when we were buying formula that of the 2 brands we regularly used, only Similac had metal cans. Enfamil cans are actually pressed cardbord with a metal bottom.

Mur!

 

[owensamo]

Something else I forgot to mention.

When we took my 11mo. DD in march, we took the tubes of pre-measured Enfamil. You can get them in boxes, and each tube is enough to mix with 4oz of water. It was really handy because we could take the packets with us to the parks and mix a bottle on-demand. They're a little more expensive, but worth the convenience for a trip like WDW.

Mur!

 

[irisheyesliz]

When my daughter (now 4) was born I bought a bottle that the water went in the bottom and then there was a compartment on top for the formula. When you clicked the 2 together you would shake to mix it up. I'm not sure if they still make it or the brand since it was 4 years ago. You might want to try www.babiesrus.com or the Right Start or One Step Ahead website.

It worked great when we were on the go!

 

[Kermit]

You're right that it's best to not put food in checked luggage. Apparently it looks like bomb residue or something bad in the screening machines, so it greatly increases the chances your bags will be opened and searched. And of course, if your bag is opened and searched, there's a greater chance it will miss the plane and make it there after you do.

You shouldn't have any problems carrying on formula, especially if it's in the can or in a bottle. If you had it in a baggie and didn't have a baby with you, they might get suspicious (I hope they would), but you should be fine.

 

[M&M's Daddy]

Just flew to Vegas on the weekend and had a tin of Enfamil in our carry on. No problems at all. Put a tin in our checked baggage on the return leg. At LAS they x-ray all checked baggage, and again we didn't have any problems.

Maybe we were just lucky.

 

[BevS97]

I would carry some pre-measured sachets or baggies for flying, and a sealed tin to take with you. I would expect no problems with a sealed tin, but loose formula can look a bit suspect!

I would also carry more than one bottle, just in case you get delayed.

 

[llp479]

I had a small divided container that was in three sections that you could measure the formula into ahead of time, then just add to the bottle that was filled with water. I used this both on the plane and anywhere I was out. It was a staple in my diaper bag - especially with my twins! I'm pretty sure I saw one at Target the other day when I was buying a baby gift.

PM me if you can't find one. I've still got one of mine and would be more than willing to give it to you. My "baby" is 6 and having been blessed with three wonderful dds, were done.

 

[nutsforgolf]

I always put a full can of formula in a large zip lock bag and put the measuring spoon in the bag. Then, I put the bag in my diaper bag, no problem.

 

[FreshTressa]

We got stopped once for pre measured formula. Not a big deal, but from then on we bought the packaged pre-measured tubes. Less hassle that way, and the less hassle, the better in my opinon!

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Bev-I figured I'd only need the one made since DD only has a morning, afternoon, and bedtime bottle now. Do you think I would need the bedtime one made too if we're flying out at 11:00 am cdt? I thought about just taking a new can that's not open. I just wondered if having that metal can was going to slow me down at security checkpoints.

Nutsfrogolf-Did you put the CAN of formula in a ziploc or did you DUMP the can into a ziploc instead? Wasn't sure why you'd need the can in the ziploc.

llp479-I know what you're talking about with the divided container. I had one for DS a couple years ago, but I must have shrunk the lid in the DW and then I thought I'd put it in the micro-sterilizer and that pretty much did it in. (Don't know what I was thinking there!!) When I went to look for a new one, they didn't seem to seal tight enough and my measured amounts were getting mixed. I wonder if there are other divided containers out there that would be food safe or if there's a specific brand that's good.

 

[BevS97]

my dd always seems to need more bottles when we are travelling, I guess as a comfort thing, but if you are only on 3 a day and she can take juice and other food if you are delayed, then you are probably ok.
For peace of mind, I would probably carry 2 though, in case she starts one and then changes her mind.

We also have a 3 sectioned container, mines from the UK so I can't tell you where to get it from, but they are very handy - although I like the premeasured sachets that you can buy too, even easier and they are not heavy so it's not a problem to carry a couple of extra sachets just in case.

Bev

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

The only problem with the packets of premeasured formula is that they make 4 oz. and DD usually drinks a 6 or 7 oz bottle for the 1st & 2nd and 9 oz for the 3rd. At home I have a pitcher of formula in the fridge and just pour what she will drink. The packets would get to be really expensive for what she would waste using them. I'll have to search for another of those containers with compartments.

 

[kfeuer]

They have those 3-sectioned containers at Babies 'R Us and they're cheap. I would definitely bring more formula then you think you'll need--you just never know when your plane might be delayed for some reason.

 

[twinmomplus2]

We dumped a can of Similac into a large ziploc baggie, The babies were being nursed but, supplemented so It was a weeks supply. I took it out of the tin can, As I was afraid of the machines getting set off. Well it was pretty funny, we flew out of Providence, I think they thought we were the mendallin drug cartel or somthing, because they really looked hard at that baggie. They looked into it, Behind the machine, and I was freaked someone may have put their hands in it. So I nursed them on theplane and tossed it in Orlando. Then stopped at Goodings. On the flight home I left it in the sealed can and just handed it to them to hand check. So just an FYI, they may want to open it. And then you may be paranoid like we were and not use it. Almost forgot in the parks we measured the formula for each bottle and put it into a dry bottle and sealed it. Then we carried a bottled water and poured it in when the bottle was needed that way we did not have to worry about anything spoiling on us.

 

[Simba's Girl]

We'll be in the world two weeks before DD's 1st birthday. I usually BF when I'm with her, but supplement when I'm not. My plan is this...

I'll bring formula down in a rubbermaid container with it's scoop and two bottles packed together-in my carry-on. Probably only enough for about a bottle a day. I most likely will be transitioning to whole cow's milk during this time so I don't want/need to bring a whole huge can with us. She also drinks Similac so we do have the aluminum cans too. I also plan on bringing her sippys too, for the cow's milk.

When my 1st DD was about 8 months old we were visiting friends in another part of the country (pre-9/11), I brought the Enfamil packets and they worked out great!.

My vote is for you to pre measure bottles just don't add any water. Bring a fresh unopened can with you on the plane, that way if you have any travel troubles you have more than enough for your baby.

 

[mcnuss]

Can I bring a can of powdered formula on the plane? I don't really want to buy RTU formula if I don't have to. For that matter, can I bring anything else that's in a metal can (like tuna or beans)?

Am I right to think you are more concerned with the airport security aspects of taking a metal can in your luggage than you are about tips on how to best carry/store/use baby formula to Disney?

If so, you need not be worried unless you are planning on putting it under your shirt! It is going to go on the Xray belt and will not be anywhere near the metal detector. If you are putting it into checked luggage, that's more of a concern. TSA specifically recommends that you not put food or beverages into your checked bags. Having said this, though, a sealed, unopened can of baby formula is highly unlikely to arouse any suspicion, unless it looks funny on Xray, in which case they'll look in your bags, see what it is, and send them on their way.