PSA - If traveling with Baby

Hi all,

Just wanted to give you a heads up if you plan on traveling with your baby any time soon. We went July 4th to JFK and after doing my research i got the 8oz RTF formula for the boys, put them in a plastic bag with baby food and brought them to the security check in point. Well, the TSA agent told me i could not bring on anymore then 3.5oz of any liquid and that he had to confiscate my formula. I stated that from what i read formula was excused from this liquid restriction and he said "no mam". Well i just about lost it right there.....I had no other formula and I asked him if i could purchase it inside the gate and he said no. So I did what any stressed out traveling mother of two would do and started bawling crying (you don't understand what we had to do to get to that point). The guy was nice enough stating he had to follow federal regulations and I just kept saying how am i going to fly on a plane for 3 hours and not feed my baby anything. He told me I could bring the food on and I had to let him know that these boys still need there formula. Well the supervisor (a woman) came over and took a look at me and the formula and then the boys and said I think we can make an exception here. She has twins and 3.5 ozs aint gonna cut it here. I kept thanking her and we were on our way. On the way back I brought a can of powder formula and that was not an issue. The guy told us that JFK is very strict and that probably at other airports we might have gotten away with it.

So i just wanted to give you guys a head up. Bring powder forumla for your babies and buy the water once you are inside. We almost had to cancel our flight out.

Also, after we got in and I went to the newstand they did have powder formula there as well.

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

That's awful I only have used the powdered so I wouldn't even think of that!

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

I called TSA before I left and they said I could bring as much as I needed but not to bring "a week's worth". That is so strange! Sorry that happened to you - I would have flipped out!

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

Ugh that is awful! I am so sorry.

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

Their website states you can bring as much formula as you need on board. I would defininately shoot off a complaint letter. They weren't doing you a "favor" they were being difficult, and made you practically beg to be able to feed your baby, which I think is totally uncalled for.

"If you are traveling with a baby or toddler baby formula, breast milk, and juice are allowed in your carry-on baggage or personal items. You can take these through the security checkpoints and aboard your plane. If you're not traveling with a baby or toddler, any formula, breast milk, or juice you're carrying must meet the requirements for carrying liquids, gels and aerosols (3-1-1). Click here to learn more about 3-1-1.


When carrying formula, breast milk, or juice through the checkpoint, they will be inspected, however, you or your baby or toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk, formula, or juice. Our Security Officers will not test or taste formula, breast milk, or juice.

When traveling with a child, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of baby formula, breast milk, or juice are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary, if you perform the following:

Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.
You are encouraged to travel with only as much formula, breast milk, or juice in your carry-on needed to reach your destination.

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.

For information on creams, medicines, or other essential items for your child, please read our guidance on these items. Click here for the list of permitted and prohibited items.

Liquids and gels, including baby formula, breast milk, or juice, may be packed in your luggage and checked with your airline.

After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.

For more details on navigating the screening process with your children, please read our information on traveling with children."

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

I am sorry you went through that!

Its so odd because I travelled Delta through JFK and I bought RTF formula (the kind that comes in juice boxes) and the guy wasn't interested at all. I think they follow the rules as they see fit!

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

Thanks for the info. I knew I had done my research. I had no idea where this 3.5 oz thing he came up with and I knew formula and breast milk was excused.

I could almost understand if i put it into the bottle already, but this was in sealed cans.

I was so angry and upset at the guy, I kept saying how do you expect these two 22 pound boys to drink 3.5 ozs each only of formula? It made no sense......it was only a 3 hour flight....what do all the other moms do when they have those really long ones.

I am sure it had a lot to do with the fact it was on July 4th and at JFK but still.....I am traveling with two infants...even terrorists are not crazy enough to do that.

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

I flew last weekend out of Newark. I brought 2 bottles (8 oz each) and a can of RTF (8oz) and I took them all out of the diaper bag and put them on a separate tray to go through the machine...nobody said a word.

I'm sorry they gave you a hard time. I was glad that I brought extra formual, because my flight was delayed 3 hours

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

Wow that is crazy! They are supposed to let you on with formula.

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

You need to complain to TSA. That is unacceptable. Formula (powdered or not) is an exception and they should have not given you a hard time about it. You declared it and you have babies with you.

I'm going on my 5th plane trip with DD this weekend . I'm going to bring a printed copy of the rules just in case I run into this guy.

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

I flew to Florida with 4 8 oz bottles of milk and had no issues. We flew out of Macarthur, but I even flew back and they were strict in Orlando. I can't believe they would only allow you 3.5. How come your DH could not have 3.5 also. I love how people make up the rules as they go.

Re: PSA - If traveling with Baby

We didn't have any problems last month. Sounds like people need to print out the TSA rules before traveling.

It was quoted above, but here's the TSA link for formula

It's a shame that people in positions of power (or at least with the ability to make people's time easy or impossible) are not forced to memorize the few rules they are supposed to enforce.

I'm sorry they put you through that. There was no reason for it, and you knew more about the rules than the TSA employees. That was totally uncalled for.