Traveling with baby formula

As a parent who traveled quite a bit with my kids, I can confirm you don’t want to take any shortcuts when prepping. The last you want to do is have to be running around some place you don’t know trying to find what you need. That’s the worst way to start your adventures.

Rule #1 – don’t make the same mistake I did once and bring everything BUT the actual baby formula. I was so focused on ensuring I had all the other essentials with me that I ended up forgetting the most important thing. Classic. 

Traveling with a formula feeding baby is not as hard as it might seem, it just requires some prep work. Even more so when you’re traveling on a plane, rather than just doing a road trip. We can’t do the prep work for you but we’ve mapped out everything you need to consider below to make it easier for you.

If you’re not traveling on a plane, click here to skip to the next section below. 

What you can bring on the plane

First things first, the TSA is quite accommodating when it comes to flying with infants and, surprisingly, they actually do a fairly good job of explaining what you’re allowed to do when it comes to traveling with formula and feeding accessories on their website. So I’ll let you read it straight from them… 

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs (regardless of presence of breast milk). Your child or infant does not need to be present or traveling with you to bring breast milk, formula and/or related supplies.

Inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in excess of 3.4 ounces. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from your other belongings. TSA officers may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items.

Although not required, to expedite the screening process, it is recommended that formula and breast milk be transported in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches. Liquids in plastic bags or pouches may not be able to be screened by Bottle Liquid Scanners, and you may be asked to open them (if feasible) for alternate screening such as Explosive Trace Detection and Vapor Analysis for the presence of liquid explosives. Screening will never include placing anything into the medically necessary liquid.

Another important note that we know some of you will be wondering about is if you can avoid putting your formula and accessories through the X-ray machine. Well luckily, the TSA clearly states this on their website:

TSA X-ray machines do not adversely affect food or medicines. However, if you do not want the formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) to be X-rayed or opened, please inform the TSA officer. Additional steps will be taken to clear the liquid and you or the traveling guardian will undergo additional screening procedures, to include Advanced Imaging Technology screening and additional/enhanced screening of other carry-on property.

The biggest recommendations we have are:

• Try to be somewhat organized when you get up to the front of the security line with all your stuff so that super anxious flyers in line behind you don’t get more antsy than they already are.
• Make it known to the TSA officer when you get up to the front of the line that you’ve got your formula gear with you. They’ll be able to help get you everything out and in the right tray quickly and explain if anything is going to need to go for additional screening. 

Essentials to pack before traveling

For parents who prefer ready-to-feed formula:

• Think about how much formula your baby drinks and pack enough for the trip. But always bring some extra just in case. 
• Put the ready-to-feed formula in a cooler bag with ice packs to maintain temperature.
• Take the ready-to-feed formula out in the cooler bag ahead of feeding time to warm it up a bit to your child’s preferred temperature. Always remember, once opened, use the ready-to-feed formula within the timeframe specified on the bottle. If there’s any leftover, you’ll need to store it in a fridge, which might be a bit challenging on a plane. Consider asking a flight attendant if they can store it for you or plan your formula amounts to minimize leftovers.

For parents who prefers powdered formula:

• Use pre-measured containers for each feed for easier preparation.
• Bring an extra container for back up.
• Carry bottled water. This is the safest and easiest option while traveling because you know it’s clean and safe.
• If you prefer the formula to be warm, you can carry a travel thermos.
• Lastly, if you don’t carry any water for your baby formula, you can ask a flight attendant early on. This will give them time to prepare and will reduce stress for both you and them, especially during meal times when flight attendants are busier. 

Tips for bottle cleaning while traveling

• Disposable cleaning bags are a godsend for sterilizing bottles on the go. Simply add water and a sterilizing tablet, and your bottles will be ready in about 15 minutes. 
• Bottle liners are another great option to minimize cleaning; they act as a clean, one-time-use layer inside the bottle.
• Ziplocks can be handy for storing used bottles until you can clean them properly. 
• Sanitizing Wipes can be a good temporary solution for a quick clean.

For shorter trips, consider bringing bottles that have been cleaned and prepped at home. 

If you’re really organized, you can even keep them in ziplock bags, labeled with feeding times. 

Strategies may change based on how long you’re traveling and when you leave

For brief trips, it’s convenient to bring prepared formula in a cooler bag with ice packs to keep it at the right temperature. 

On longer trips, carrying formula powder and water separately allows for easy mixing as needed. Portable formula containers are practical for pre-measuring the right amounts.

But, most importantly, no matter how long your travel time is, there can always be unforeseen delays or cancellations. So make sure you have enough formula for an extended period of time in case something happens. This is even more true if you’re taking a late night flight or a red-eye because if you were to run out of formula, that makes it a bit harder to get in an emergency. 

Additional tips for effortless baby formula travel

• Don’t forget to pack a bottle brush and some mild soap to ensure bottles can be cleaned properly. 
• Multi-use sterilizing bags are handy for keeping everything sanitary, no matter where you need to clean bottles. 
• If you’re concerned about water quality at your destination, carrying a bottle for boiling water is a smart move or a travel thermos.
• A portable bottle warmer can warm bottles to the ideal temperature anywhere, offering comfort during meal times.
• For an advanced sterilization option, consider a UV travel sterilizer. Compact and efficient, these devices use UV light to sanitize bottles, nipples, and small toys, eliminating germs without chemicals or heat, making them perfect for ensuring your baby’s items are sterile no matter where you are.
• Each airline has its own set of rules regarding travel with infants, so checking their policies beforehand can help avoid any surprises. 

Wrapping Up

Traveling with a baby who needs formula can seem hard, but with the right setup, it can actually go pretty smoothly. Knowing the rules for bringing baby formula and feeding items on a plane is key. 

Tell the security officer about your baby’s things to make the security check quicker. Remember to pack important items like a cooler bag for ready-to-drink formula or containers with pre-measured powder formula, and think about how you’ll clean bottles while traveling. 

Also, it’s smart to bring extra supplies in case of any delays. With these tips, a bit of planning, and some patience, you can manage traveling with your baby well. This way, trips become more enjoyable for the whole family.