Roberta Aguirre
Travelling with a baby can be a stressful experience, but being prepared can help you breeze through security and have a smooth flight. There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to airport security, such as making sure you have the necessary travel documents, and knowing what you can and cannot bring on board. It's also important to be aware of the procedures for screening strollers and liquids, and to be prepared for additional inspection. In addition to the practical considerations, it can be helpful to prepare your baby or toddler for the experience of flying, and to bring along some familiar items to keep them entertained and comfortable during the flight.
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What You'll Learn
Strollers, car seats, and other equipment
You do not need to remove your baby from a stroller or carrier until you pass through the metal detector. Then, you must carry your baby through the detector. If your child can walk unaided, they may walk through separately. Children under 12 can keep their shoes, light jackets, and headwear on during screening. If you are using a stroller, you will need to remove your baby and carry them through the scanner. You may then be directed to leave the stroller, or you may need to place it on the conveyor belt to go through the X-ray machine. A stroller that can fold and is lightweight will make this process easier.
If you are travelling with a car seat, you may want to consider a product that combines a stroller and car seat, such as the Doona Infant Car Seat/Stroller or the Britax Willow Grove SC Baby Travel System. This will reduce the amount of equipment you need to carry. If you are travelling with an infant car seat, you can gate-check the stroller and leave the car seat at home.
It is also worth noting that most airports have nursing rooms and stations available for your convenience.
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Food and drink
When travelling with a baby, it is important to plan ahead and pack properly to ensure you have enough food and drink for your baby. While some food and drink options are available at the airport or on the flight, they may be limited, and it is always good to be prepared.
Baby Food
Most airports and airlines advise that you can bring a "reasonable quantity" or enough baby food for your journey. This includes baby food pouches or jars, which are usually allowed if they are unopened. If your baby is under two, you can bring pureed baby food, and for older babies, you can bring solid baby food. It is important to note that some countries have strict customs laws regarding the importation of food, so always check the regulations for your destination country. For example, fresh food is not allowed into Australia or New Zealand.
Some airlines provide baby meals, but these are usually only available for infants up to two years old, and you may need to request them in advance. These meals typically consist of pureed food jars. If your baby is over two, you can request a child's meal, which is often pasta or chicken nuggets. However, it is always a good idea to bring your own food and snacks for your baby, as options may be limited, and you may prefer to bring your own brand of baby formula or milk.
Baby Drinks
You are allowed to bring enough baby milk, sterilised water, and juice for your baby during the journey. Breast milk is allowed in hand luggage, even if you are not travelling with your baby, but it must be screened separately, and individual containers must not hold more than 2000ml. Frozen breast milk is not allowed in hand luggage, and cooling packs/ice packs may not be permitted through security in some countries. However, you can bring Ziploc bags and refill them with ice from home or at the airport to keep food and drinks cool.
Some airlines provide a limited amount of baby milk powder and spare bottles on long-haul flights, but it is always a good idea to bring your own, especially if your baby has specific preferences or dietary needs.
Overall, while some food and drink options are available at airports and on flights, it is essential to plan and pack your own supplies to ensure you have enough for your baby's needs during the journey.
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Screening and security
When it comes to liquids, formula, breast milk, baby food, and toddler drinks are allowed in carry-on baggage and are exempt from the standard liquid restrictions. However, it is advisable to inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process and remove these items from your carry-on bag for separate screening. To facilitate this process, it is helpful to have these liquids in clear, translucent bottles, as liquids in plastic bags or pouches may require alternate screening methods.
If you are travelling with an infant or toddler, consider signing up for TSA PreCheck, which allows you to keep your shoes, belt, and jacket on, and leave liquids and electronics inside your bag. While adults require TSA PreCheck to use the dedicated lanes, children 12 and under can accompany you without their own Trusted Traveler Number. However, you will still need to remove baby liquids/pouches over 3.4 oz for separate screening.
For international travel, the rules may vary, but jars of baby food and bottles are often subject to screening. It is advisable to contact TSA Cares or seek information on their website to clarify the screening policies and procedures for your specific situation.
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Seating and boarding
When booking, it is also worth noting that infants under 2 years old can usually be seated on the lap of a ticketed adult. However, only one infant is allowed per adult, and the infant must be included in the reservation. If there is more than one infant travelling, additional infants under 2 years old must be ticketed and occupy an infant safety seat or a separate aircraft seat. Infants under 2 years old can also request to board early at the gate, which can be helpful when travelling with babies.
To make the process of seating and boarding less stressful, it is recommended to prepare your baby in advance. This includes familiarising yourself with the travel system, such as a stroller that collapses into a car seat, to ensure swift movement through the airport and plane. Additionally, you can act out the process of sitting down and buckling up on a plane with your baby at home. Line up some dining chairs to mimic airplane seats and practise how to sit down and fasten the seatbelt. This can help your baby feel more comfortable and familiar with the process when it's time to board the plane.
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Entertainment and comfort
When travelling with a baby, it is important to keep them entertained and comfortable. Here are some tips to achieve this:
At the airport
Bring along some small "comfort" items, such as a security blanket, a favourite pillow, or a stuffed toy. These familiar items can help soothe and comfort the baby during the journey. Small toys, colouring books, and small electronic devices, such as portable DVD players with headphones, can also help keep them entertained while waiting at the airport. If you are travelling with a toddler or an older child, it is a good idea to prepare them ahead of time by talking about the trip and flight, focusing on the new and potentially concerning aspects. Reading stories about flying, such as "Airplanes" by Byron Barton or "Ready to Soar" by Cori Doerrfeld, can help familiarise them with the experience. Acting out how to sit down and buckle up on a plane using dining chairs lined up as airplane seats can also help them know what to expect.
During security checks
Having a stroller at the airport can be a lifesaver, providing a familiar and comfortable space for the baby. However, navigating security checks with a stroller can be stressful. It is recommended to have the baby liquids/pouches that are more than 3.4 oz easily accessible at the top of your bag for inspection. You will need to remove the baby from the stroller and carry them through the scanner, while the stroller will be inspected separately. All carry-on items, such as toys, bags, and blankets, must be placed on the X-ray belt for screening. Strollers, car seats, and baby carriers must also undergo X-ray screening or a visual/physical inspection if they do not fit through the X-ray machine. It is important to note that formula, breast milk, and related supplies are allowed in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. These items are considered medically necessary liquids.
On the plane
For infants, each ticketed adult can typically have one infant on their lap, but additional infants under 2 years old must occupy an infant safety seat or a separate aircraft seat. It is important to book an infant seat during the reservation process. Some airlines offer early boarding for families with children under 2 years old, allowing more time to settle in. Most airlines also provide a luggage allotment for infants, even if they don't occupy a seat. Check with your airline for specific policies. To help babies and young children sleep on the plane, consider bringing a sound machine, such as the Dohm, which can help them fall and stay asleep in new environments.
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Frequently asked questions
You must bring along paperwork that proves your baby's country of citizenship and birth date, such as a birth certificate. If your baby is under 2 years old, they must be included in the reservation and seated on the lap of a ticketed accompanying adult. If your baby is under 7 days old, you will also need a doctor's letter stating that they are medically cleared to travel.
Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage. You can also bring breast milk cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs. You may want to bring small "comfort" items, such as a security blanket, a favourite pillow, and small toys. If your baby has their own seat, you can bring a stroller and car seat combination device.
You will need to remove your baby from their stroller and carry them through the walk-through metal detector. You will also need to place all carry-on baggage, including children's toys, bags, and blankets, on the X-ray belt for screening. TSA officers may need to test liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items, so it is helpful to have these items easily accessible.
