Can You Take Baby Food On A Plane?

Vacations can be stressful, especially when you’ve got a little one coming for the adventure! Along with packing, understanding the rules about what you can and can’t take on a plane is important to know, especially when it comes to baby essentials. 

No matter the length of time that your flight is going to be, you’ll want to make sure that you are stocked up on all of your baby’s snacks and meals for the duration of the flight.

Besides giving you peace of mind, this will also make sure that your child doesn’t go hungry while in the air. But the main question is, can you take baby food on a plane?

So, whether you’ve got the yearly family vacation planned or you’re planning to go on your very first vacation with your baby – in this article, we will be taking a closer look at whether you can take baby food on a plane or not. 

Just keep on reading!

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Can You Take Baby Food On A Plane?

Can You Take Baby Food On A Plane?

So, now for the all-important question – is it possible to take baby food on a plane? The good news is that, yes – it is possible for you to take baby food on a plane!

Although, you will need to remember that while it is universally possible to take baby food on a plane, the rules and regulations can differ from airline to airline and country to country.

That being said, you’ll need to make sure that you are double-checking with the airline before the flight, as this will help to ensure that you are following any specific requirements that your particular airline calls for. 

As we have already mentioned, all airlines typically allow full-size baby food to come onto the plane. Still, some airlines require you to declare this before the flight day, and some airlines specify that all baby food needs to be brought in a clear bag.

For this reason, while it is certainly possible for you to bring baby food on the plane, we strongly recommend that you make sure to double-check for any specific regulations, as we have already mentioned above.

Airline Rules for Flying with Baby Food

Most airlines will typically have rules and regulations about bringing baby food on the plane, usually due to safety reasons.

That being said, if you do find that there are specific regulations outlined by the airline that you are planning to fly with, you are going to need to make sure that you are adhering to them so that you will then be able to bring your baby’s food on the plane without any problems.

More often than not, all the information you’ll need will typically be on the airline’s website.

However, if you are struggling with locating carry-on rules, you can also reach out to your airline’s customer service helpline.

There is an agent who will be more than happy to answer any questions about bringing baby food on your flight with you.

Can You Take Baby Food On A Plane?

Guidelines for Flying with Baby Food

Here are some general guidelines for traveling with baby food:

  • Baby food pouches can be brought on in carry-on baggage but may need to be placed in a clear plastic bag.
  • Formula and breast milk greater than 100 milliliters can be brought on the flight inside a carry-on and typically do not need to be placed inside a quart-sized bag.
  • All baby items required to help prepare baby food are also allowed inside a carry-on bag. This includes ice packs, freezer gel packs, containers, bottled water, and more.

As we have already mentioned above, the rules and regulations for bringing baby food on your flight can vary from airline to airline, as well as airport to airport!

For this reason, you will need to make sure that you are researching the specific requirements of your airline/airport.

However, as a general rule, you should expect your baby’s food to be screened during security checks.

When flying in the USA, use these TSA guidelines when traveling by plane. TSA states that Baby food is allowed in reasonable quantities in carry-on bags. You must remove baby food items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. 

In our article about Navigating Airport Security with Children, we discuss how to handle TSA and security screening with children, including the 3-1-1 liquid rule.

Do Airlines Provide Complimentary Baby Meals?

Now that we have learned that it is possible to bring baby food on a flight, you might now be wondering whether or not your airline will be able to provide you with baby meals.

Besides making traveling a little easier, opting for airline baby food meals can also provide plenty of conveniences as you won’t have to worry about preparing them yourself.

That being said, there are a few things that you will need to consider here. For starters, not all airlines provide meals for babies, and those that do will often only do so upon request and sometimes for an extra fee.

Along with this, you will also need to consider the age of your child, too.

Baby food provided by airlines is often suitable for older children, which means that if your little one is still being breastfed or given formula, you will still need to make sure you are making your own baby food arrangements. 

The Bottom Line

Just to sum up everything that we have talked you through above, it is possible to take baby food on the plane.

And the best part? You won’t even need to worry about adhering to size limits as you would need to do with other liquids such as makeup.

Still, even though you can take baby food on the plane in your carry-on (or a similar type of appropriate bag), we recommend you double-check with your airline before setting off for the flight.

That way, you will be able to ensure that you are adhering to any particular rules or regulations that your particular airline might have for bringing baby food onto the plane. 

For more about family travel, check out these posts:
How to Travel with a Baby
Navigating Airport Security with Children
Surviving Jet Lag with your Baby or Toddler
Complete guide to getting your baby or child a U.S. passport
How To Pack Formula For Air Travel
How To Travel With Frozen Breast Milk

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The BE Family Travel Team writes articles to help parents travel with children.