Traveling with Baby Bottles: Navigating the Airport and Security
As you twist and crack the seal on your brand-new crisp bottle of water you remember you have to go through security for your flight. Chug it or toss it? Despite frequent flying, I’ve been here and it’s not fun.
But, don’t throw away your bottle yet! When traveling with a baby, you are allowed to bring bottles, milk, and formula for your baby on board, and even water bottles in certain cases.
Let’s get into the airport security liquid rules to clear things up and tips on traveling with baby bottles. We’ll discuss what consumable liquids you can bring on a plane for your baby, whether that be milk, water, or formula from home or the airport.
Jump to: TSA Rules, FAQs, Guidelines, Tips
NOTE: This post is written based on TSA rules and guidelines which are in effect for U.S.-based travel and not necessarily applicable when traveling in or through other countries. Different countries may have different rules.
My babies and their bottles on board
I traveled with all three of my children as babies, when they still required breastmilk or formula for sustenance. Over the flights and years, we brought their baby bottles, sippy cups, straw cups, and water bottles on board all over the world.
While experiences can vary slightly depending on each country and individual security agent, the consensus is clear – babies get a pass and are allowed an exception to the standard liquid allowance rules in place for adults.
TSA’s baby bottle rule
Okay, there’s no specific baby bottle rule, but there are mentions of baby bottles and baby allowances in the TSA rules.
Breastmilk, formula, baby food, and other baby liquids, pouches, or drinks are considered medically necessary liquids.
This means they are not bound to the same restrictions as other non-medically necessary liquids. For your hand lotion, cologne, or makeup, you are only allowed to bring 3.4 fl. oz. (100ml) or less, and they must fit inside a quart-sized Ziploc bag.
When traveling with baby bottles, however, you can bring more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) of milk or water for your baby, and their bottle or milk does not need to fit in the standard quart-sized clear plastic bag.
Currently, the rule does not specify an upper limit on how much baby formula or breastmilk you are allowed to bring on board. In the past, I have seen mentions that you’re allowed to bring “reasonable quantities” which is, of course, up for interpretation.
Your experience will likely vary depending on which airport and TSA agent you encounter. Hopefully, as long as you’re not bringing massive amounts to set up your own shop, they will allow you through.
FAQs about bottles on board
Can you bring baby bottles on a plane?
Yes, you can bring baby bottles on a plane. You are allowed to bring pre-filled baby bottles and empty ones, baby bottles from home, sealed and already opened. Basically, any type and form of a baby bottle, you can bring it.
Can you take infant formula on a plane?
Yes, you can bring baby formula on a plane. You can bring infant formula in its can in powder form, scooped out in a bottle, bag, or container, or pre-mixed. Formula is considered a medically necessary liquid by TSA, and therefore you are not restricted by the standard liquid rule.
Can you take baby food pouches on a plane?
Yes, you can bring baby food pouches, purees, and canned baby food on your flight for your baby’s consumption. Like their milk, baby food is exempt from the liquid rule and you can bring as much as you need to.
Can I take a bottle of water on a plane?
Yes and no, and it depends. I think I need to put together a decision tree chart to explain all of this…
If you are an adult traveling alone, without a baby, then you can bring an empty water bottle through security. If you have a full water bottle, even if the seal is still intact, you cannot bring it through security. When you purchase a water bottle in the airport, post-security, then you can bring it on board. If you bring a reusable water bottle, keep it empty to get through security, and then fill it up after security.
If you are traveling with a baby, however, the rules are different. A baby may require water for formula or hydration and therefore is considered a medically necessary liquid for traveling babies. With a baby, you are allowed to take a bottle of water through security and on a plane. This water bottle could be opened, or still sealed, a reusable bottle or a plastic one.
Can you bring your own water bottle on a plane?
Yes, you can bring your personal reusable water bottle on a plane.
To go through security with it, your bottle will need to be empty. After you pass through security, you can use a water fountain or purchase a drink to fill up your bottle to bring on the plane.
If the bottle and liquid are for a baby or if you’re trying to travel with milk for your toddler, you can bring this through security and have them test it instead of dumping it out.
Guidelines on bringing liquids and formula for your baby through security at the airport
- You can bring water, juice, milk, purees, etc. for your baby through security and on the plane.
- You do not need to throw away liquids for a baby before passing through security.
- You can bring a packaged drink or bottle (unopened or opened), or the baby’s personal reusable bottle or cup through security.
- You are allowed to bring breastmilk, powdered formula, other milk, pre-mixed bottles, baby food jars, baby food purees and pouches, and other baby food and liquids through airport security and on a plane for your baby’s consumption.
- It’s best practice if you remove the drink from your carry-on and place it in a security bin separately. They may ask, “Is this for the baby?“ And then they will likely have to test it by swabbing the outside or hovering over the liquid. They should not tamper, touch, or add anything to the baby’s liquids.
- Consider printing the TSA rule about baby liquids or save it on your phone in case you meet an agent unaware of the specifics that tries to stop you from bringing it through. You can also ask to speak to another agent or their supervisor if necessary.
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10 Tips for traveling with baby bottles
1. Consider ready-to-feed
Many parents find the individual ready-to-feed formula bottles ideal for travel days as you do not need to bother with washing and drying. Tossing them after use also frees up space.
2. Bring sealable plastic bags
Bring extra heavy-duty plastic ziploc bags to store clean and dirty bottles, liquids, ice, and other spillable baby items.
3. Ask for ice
Get ice from an airport restaurant and put it in a plastic bag to help keep your baby’s milk or expressed breastmilk cold while traveling.
4. Choose your bottles wisely
If you’re traveling with reusable bottles, bring the ones with the fewest parts and the ones that are easiest to clean. We favored Dr. Brown’s at home, but traveling with all the pieces didn’t make sense. For travel, I preferred using these Tommee Tippee silicone bottles.
We frequently used these Comotomo ones which are easy-to-clean, but they tip easily so I don’t think they’re the best travel bottles. On the other hand, these Nanobebe bottles were great for travel with their extra wide and stable base.
5. Keep cleaning in mind
Likewise, if your baby is now drinking water from a cup, try to bring an easy-to-clean sippy cup.
6. Premeasure formula
Use mini stackable containers to pre-measure your baby’s formula so it’s ready to go and add to their bottle on busy travel days. Bonus – these also work great for baby and toddler snacks!
7. Try cleansing wipes
If you’re unable to access a clean sink with potable water on a travel day, use bottle cleansing wipes to clean your baby bottles on the go.
8. Buy a portable bottle warmer
For babies that insist on warm milk and parents seeking greater ease, consider a travel-friendly portable baby bottle warmer.
9. Use an old-school heating method
Alternatively, ask an airport restaurant, or a flight attendant on board, for a cup of hot water to put your baby’s bottle in to heat it up.
10. Reduce daily bottle count
Try to minimize how many bottles you bring with you. If your baby normally uses 6 in a day, try to see if you can get by with only 2 or 3. Yes, this means more washing, but it also means less to pack, carry, and keep track of.
Final thoughts before flying
It took me more flights than I’d like to admit before I learned the official rules about bringing baby bottles and water for a baby when flying, so I wanted to share the intel to make sure all other parents are aware.
The infamous 3-1-1 liquids rule does NOT apply in the same way when a baby is involved. You can bring baby milk, formula, water, juice, purees, and other baby liquids on board for your baby.
Next time, bring the milk, water, or whatever will keep your baby happy and comfortable on the flight. No need to throw it away, or limit yourself to what is sold in the airport.
Don’t fret about being restricted and not having enough for your baby on a long-haul flight. Bring whatever milk and food you need on board for your baby.
