TSA and baby food??

[Disney Princess]

We are flying with our son in two days. This is third flight, but it is our first time with food for him. He breastfed, so we never had to worry about liquids before.

He is now on solids, and we make our own baby food. I just read at tsa.gov that we can bring his food separately, and that it is not subject to the ziploc and 3-1-1 rules. However, what can I use to keep the food cold? We have a LONG layover, and I don't want the food to go bad. We have an insulated bag that we put his food in, but we usually put a freezer pack in with it. Can I bring that? What about a plain ziploc with ice?

Also, I read that milk and juice are fine, so can he have water in his sippy cup? I guess we can dump it out at security and then buy a bottle after security, but it would be great to have it all ready for him.

Thanks for any help. These days, there is always new territory with our son, and I don't want to make getting through security any more difficult than it needs to be.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Use a bag or two of the cheapest frozen food you can find. No need to buy bottled water, airports have water fountains.

 

[Disney Princess]

What a great idea! I hadn't even thought of frozen vegetables, and we buy them OFTEN! I appreciate the help.

 

[Waddler]

Your plan sounds fine to me. Just don't be surprised if you get a bit of extra attention from TSA despite your best efforts.

When I flew with my 1-year-old last month, I brought powdered prescription formula, various purees in a quart-sized ziplock ( < 3 oz. each), a few slices of homemade bread, and an empty reusable food pouch. Even though everything was "allowed", I was still flagged for a pat-down. (As it turns out, the formula looks like explosives in the x-ray.)

I've heard of the frozen veggie trick, but I've been too chicken to try it. I imagine water would pool as the veggies thaw. No idea if that'd raise a red flag sometimes.

 

[tjmw2727]

I used frozen grapes - no issues with thawing as they aren't subject to the 3-1-1 rule and you have a snack once they do! You could also just bring some ziplock bags and ask for ice from a vendor after security to add to the cooler.

 

[CPT Tripss]

The one thing that is certain about the Airport Security Screeners is that you just can not count on them following their own rules. Use the frozen foods, if they give you grief for any melt, use an earring to punch a hole or two in the bag and drain it.

 

[seashoreCM]

Frozen grapes will not release much loose liquid as they thaw.

Be sure that the grapes (or whatever) are frozen solid before you start. Ice at 31-1/2 degrees has a lot more cooling power than water at 32-1/2 degrees. Water at 32-1/2 degrees has very little additional cooling power compared with water at 40 degrees.

 

[Disney Princess]

Thanks for all the tips. I will be prepared to go through security slowly (that's our new pace for most things these days!). I also like the idea of grapes. Off to the store . . .

 

[DVCAdrienne]

Great post and tips for travelling with an infant.

Thank you

 

[CPT Tripss]

Just read this! Hope it doesn't happen to OP. http://consumerist.com/2013/06/19/t...reluctance-to-open-baby-food-jars-a-pat-down/

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Just read this! Hope it doesn't happen to OP. http://consumerist.com/2013/06/19/t...reluctance-to-open-baby-food-jars-a-pat-down/

OP, go to TSA.org and read the rules:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveling-formula-breast-milk-and-juice

 

[Waddler]

That's pretty much what happened to me with the powdered formula, except they didn't offer me a choice. I just got a pat-down. I even went out of my way to comply with the normal liquids rules. It would've been much more convenient for me to bring large glass babyfood jars and ready to feed formula, but I was afraid it would create an extra hassle at airport screening.

The article makes a good point, though. You might be asked to open jarred baby food, and after that, it shouldn't go unrefrigerated. Best to either avoid bringing containers > 3 oz in the first place, or try the frozen grapes.

 

[livinlife25]

When we went in January, I had some pouches and some of the single serve milks for him. I was given the option of pat down or have them tested. I just went ahead and opened them to be tested and had him drink them then, but if you are saving them for a later time I guess I would have chosen the pat down.

 

[CPT Tripss]

How does a pat down "clear" something in a package?

 

[darnheather]

I have seen a mom who made her baby's food have to throw it away at security. While we with packaged sailed through. I did make my DDs' baby food but not when we flew. Just felt between the TSA and the health and safety of the food not going off that it was easier to buy the packaged stuff.

 

[darnheather]

OP, go to TSA.org and read the rules:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveling-formula-breast-milk-and-juice

But it's important to note what the rules say exactly,

You are allowed to bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred, or processed baby food in your carry-on baggage and aboard your plane.

This does not include homemade baby food that you are bringing in your Tupperware.

 

[aubriee]

But it's important to note what the rules say exactly,



This does not include homemade baby food that you are bringing in your Tupperware.

True! We saw a TSA agent at DFW make a mom throw her homemade baby food out. He said that bought baby food sealed in jars was fine though.

 

[CPT Tripss]

True! We saw a TSA agent at DFW make a mom throw her homemade food out. He said that bought baby food sealed in jars was fine though.

Well, that sure makes me feel safer!