Packing Checklist for Flying With Bottles and Breastmilk or Formula

I have written extensively in the past about breastfeeding or breastmilk pumping when you travel, but I've never written about what to pack if you intend to feed your baby expressed breastmilk or formula on your trip.

By Neeta Lind

Traveling With Expressed Breastmilk
As of this writing, mothers are able to clear security in US airports with expressed breastmilk even if they are not traveling with their baby. You may also bring ice packs to keep the milk cool. The milk must be declared at the security checkpoint. Rules change frequently, and if you are concerned about this issue, it is worth reading the latest guidelines and printing out a copy to bring with you:

Bottles on a Plane or Road Trip
If you plan to feed your baby from a bottle in flight, you will need to bring the following items on board:

Enough clean bottles for your flight (I like Medela Breastmilk Storage and Feeding Set because the bottles are compact and because I can also use them with my Medela Breastpump. A bottle-liner system is also a good option if you don't mind waste. For older babies, Take and Toss Sippy Cups work well because they nest inside one another.
A way to clean your bottles (airplane water is not considered safe). I like Medela Quick Clean Wipes
Ice packs to keep expressed milk or formula cool. If there is space, a flight attendant will sometimes be willing to store your bottles in the galley, but make sure that your milk is clearly labeled and to make sure that it is stored properly. One one flight, a flight attendant stashed my expressed milk on a counter for a minute and another flight attendant "helpfully" heated it up. Baby E was asleep, so she'd just degraded the quality of 12 hard won ounces I'd prepared for the next bottle.
An insulated bag to store expressed breastmilk or prepared formula

Traveling With Formula

Formula It's easiest to travel with powdered formula, it's lighter than liquid formula and you don't need to declare it at the security checkpoint. Pack extra in case your flight is delayed or your checked baggage is lost. I like pre-measured individual formula packets
Water Bring your own water onboard. Airplane tap water is not safe for drinking, and bottled water supplies can be limited. Buy bottled water after security, or bring your own empty bottles and fill them once you've cleared security.

Filed Under: breastfeeding flying-with-kids packing packing-with-babies packing-with-kids

9 comments | Posted on August 11, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

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Comments

Christie Hagerhjelm
August 11, 2009 at 5:29 p.m.

Thank you so much for posting this. We are expecting our second baby, due in the spring, and I feel like I am learning this stuff all over again!
Jennifer
August 15, 2009 at 8:11 p.m.

We travel through London Heathrow frequently. I have been required to taste every bottle of formula/milk that we've had with us, including those that were premixed and factory sealed. The agent did not find it acceptable for me to feed it to the babe, so I had the honor of contaminating 12 hours worth of formula with my germs.
Debbie
August 15, 2009 at 9:26 p.m.

@Jennifer what a terrible policy! It seems like so often it is up to the discretion of the individual agent. I have been waived through at Heathrow with a sippy full of water (that I offered to dump), and I have also had every item in my cosmetics bag tested for traces of explosives.
Alexander
August 16, 2009 at 8:19 p.m.

We fly between Seattle and NYC (JFK and Newark) frequently, totting along our little one for the past 8 months. Luckily, she was born after the lifted ban on carrying on more than a few useless ounces of formula or breast milk, so we never had a problem. But I did want to mention that each time we've successfully brought a 1 liter bottle of pre-boiled water (for dry formula mixing, once she was old enough) along with us through the airport security scrutinization. All they've ever done is pour out a small sample which they test with a chemical strip (testing pH, I'd guess.)
Sarah
http://schrockthehouse.wordpress.com/
April 2, 2010 at 9:35 a.m.

Thanks for this post (and the one on nappy changes). Looking forward to taking my then 4-month old on his first trans-Atlantic flight here soon...
Isabelle
January 30, 2012 at 4:27 a.m.

Hi ! Is there a possibility to warm up a bottle in a plane?my bb is 13 month and only likes her bottle slightly warm...
Debbie
January 30, 2012 at 1:20 p.m.

@Isabelle It really depends on the flight. A long haul flight is likely to have the equipment to warm up food (or a bottle) but not every flight attendant wants to be responsible for a child's bottle. A shorter flight might not have a way to warm up food.
Aditi
February 1, 2012 at 5:53 p.m.

Hi,
I will be taking a 22 hour flight to Inida shortly with my 9 month old. He takes only formula and I am really confused about taking the dry powder ( how will I clean the bottles) or how many extra bottle I should have with me. One of my friend suggested to take the pre-made liquid formula (but not sure if they will allow and it will just add on to my weight). Any suggestions? BTW I loved your website it is very helpful and is filled with useful information.
Thanks,
Aditi
Debbie
February 1, 2012 at 8:36 p.m.

Aditi,

You can bring along liquid formula in "reasonable quantities," but at some airports security will open and test the bottles. It is easier to bring powdered formula and extra bottles.

You can wash the bottles using the hot water used for tea service, but then give them a final rinse using bottled water before you use them again (because the tea water is not necessarily sterile)

I hope thi shelps

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About Me
I'm Debbie, mother of three delicious kids and I write about traveling with little kids. That's my daughter in the backpack and my son in Paris on Halloween.

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