Baby Food | Transportation Security Administration (2024)

FAQs

Baby Food | Transportation Security Administration? ›

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.

Solid baby food can also be carried in either your hand or hold luggage. Please give any food or baby milk to staff when you go through airport security, as it'll need to be screened separately.

Luckily, in most cases, you can wear your baby in a carrier through airport security as long as it's a soft body carrier with no metal buckles or pieces. A few types of baby carriers that can be worn through airport security include Tushbaby Carrier, Ergobaby Omni 360, and Tula.

Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier through the walk-through metal detector. Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian. Parents/guardians who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck® may bring their children with them through a TSA PreCheck® lane.

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.

Avoid baby earache on take-off

And – hurrah! – you are allowed to take breast and cow's milk and baby formula in your hand luggage, even if it's over 100ml (just be aware that sterilised water for your tot must be kept in a baby bottle).

Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible. Passengers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland cannot take most fresh fruits and vegetables due to the risk of spreading invasive plant pests.

A carrier is not a restraint device and cannot securely hold a child during an issue with take-off or landing. In the case of a crash, the child would become the “airbag” of the wearer.

You can check one car seat and one stroller or folding wagon per child you're traveling with, for free. This can be done at the gate or ticket counter. Large or non-collapsible strollers, and non-folding wagons must be checked at the ticket counter. However, they're also free.

If you are asked to you to remove your child and carry them in arms, expect that you will need to fully remove your carrier for it to go through x-ray screening. Once you have been screened and had your hands swabbed, feel free to use your carrier again.

Does TSA allow baby water? ›

Water for babies is allowed in reasonable quantities in carry-on bags. Remove this item from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.

A valid passport is usually the only identification your baby will need to fly on a domestic flight, unless you need to show proof of age for a discounted child fare. Check with your airline before you leave. Note: Children under age 18 will not be required to get a Real ID.

Applesauce pouches are a convenient option for air travel. Their compact size and sealed nature make them ideal for slipping into your carry-on luggage. Most pouches fall within the TSA's 3.4-ounce limit, making them compliant with the 3–1–1 liquids rule.

Personal items

These don't count as your personal item or carry-on: Diaper bags (1 per child) Breast pump. Small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk.

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

You can bring open food through security so long as it abides by the 3-1-1 and other TSA food rules. Following the same logic and limitations, you can also bring unopened, prepackaged or sealed food through TSA.

Nappies and wet wipes are permitted in your Hand Baggage. Creams, pastes, lotions and gels are allowed in your Hand Baggage, but remember, the restrictions for liquids apply. Jars of food and formula milk can be packed in your Hold Baggage.