5 Tips for Flying With Baby Food Pouches on a Plane

When it comes to taking your baby on a plane, her comfort is your priority. Keeping that little tummy fed means a relaxed, peaceful flight for everyone. You might already know that the TSA imposes rules on liquids you can take on a plane, and baby food can seem to be neither a liquid or a solid.

Rest reassured, you can bring processed baby food in cans, jars and pouches onto a plane, and your little one won't go hungry. Like baby formula, breast milk and juice, baby food is an exception to the liquids rule.

The TSA doesn't object to parents bringing a reasonable amount of their baby's favorite meals with them when flying, providing they tell the agent at airport security screening. What's a reasonable amount? About as much as you expect your baby to eat during the flight. If you know you can't buy your baby's regular food at your destination and you'd like to pack more than she can finish during your journey, put the extra in your checked baggage.

When you arrive at the screening point, show your baby food pouches or jars to the TSA officer. Baby food receives extra screening. The agent might want to open the containers or x-ray them to check the contents. If you don't want your baby food to be checked or tested in this way, tell the agent who will instead impose alternative screening. This can include more thorough checks, including pat-downs.

Ice packs or frozen gel packs you're using to keep homemade baby food cool can turn slushy. If this happens, the packs count as liquids and receive the same additional screening.

Like formula and juice for babies, expressed breast milk is allowed on planes. You can pack a reasonable quantity, which is as much as your baby will need during the flight.

Though you might not be able to pour applesauce, the TSA still counts it as a liquid. Applesauce is a tasty snack for a young baby, and you can take it with you on your flight as a baby food. The TSA's liquids rule also covers gels and aerosols. Since you can smear or spread applesauce, it does fall under the liquids rule.

Packing empty baby bottles in your carry-on baggage isn't a problem. Baby bottles full of breast milk, formula or juice are also fine to take with you. As with baby food, take only as much as your baby needs for the flight, and tell the TSA agent at the security screening. The agent might take the full bottles and screen them separately.

No. Any item that is for the need of a child such as strollers, breastfeeding materials, car seats, diaper bags, and baby carriers do not count as a carry-on.