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Flying with Infant Formula: TSA Rules & Tips
Read time: 4 minutes
Flying usually takes a fair amount of planning and packing – add a baby into the mix, and you’ve entered a whole new level of organization and questions! Especially if your little one is formula fed.
As registered dietitian nutritionists specializing in infant and toddler nutrition, parents ask us all the time: Can you take baby formula through airport security? What about water for the formula?
As you feel more comfortable bringing your little one out into the world, we're here to help you feel confident about traveling with your formula-fed baby.
Read on to learn more about TSA (Transportation Security Administration) rules and guidelines when it comes to traveling by plane. We’re also including bonus tips on how to navigate short and long road trips with formula.
Can you bring baby formula on a plane?
Yes! Both baby formula and breast milk are considered ‘medically necessary’ liquids.
You can bring them in amounts larger than 3.4 ounces, they do not need to fit in a quart-sized bag, and you can even bring ice packs, freezer packs, and frozen gel packs.
TSA screening for baby formula: Step-by-step
There are a lot of rules when it comes to what can and can’t go through the TSA checkpoint, but at least they’ve streamlined the process of bringing formula with you while traveling.
Before you hit the road, know that it’s easier for TSA officers to screen liquids when they are in clear bottles and not plastic bags or pouches. If you bring liquids in a plastic bag or pouch, the TSA may ask you to open it to be screened.1
Let the TSA agent know you’re traveling with more than 3.4 ounces of baby formula (or breast milk), or if you are traveling with powdered baby formula.
Remove the prepared baby formula, breast milk, or powdered formula from your carry-on bag so that it can be screened separately.
TSA officers may test these for explosives or prohibited items. If you do not want the formula bottle to be opened, let the TSA know and additional screening procedures may be needed.
You are allowed to bring ice packs or frozen gel packs, and a cooler or insulated bag. The ice packs may need additional screening if they are partially frozen or slushy.1
Even though new TSA guidance passed in 2025 allows full-sized containers of specific liquids, these still must be removed from your carry on to be scanned separately until further notice.3
That said, smaller liquids that are under 3.4 ounces may be left in your carry-on if the airport uses a CT (computed tomography) scanner.2 If you are unsure, check with the TSA officer at the airport.
We know bringing your little one out and about can be intimidating; chat now for free with one of our Happy Experts, who are registered dietitian nutritionists and infant feeding experts. They’re here to help on our live chat from Monday - Friday 8am-6pm (ET). Chat Now!
How much formula should you pack – and where?
So now that you know you can bring prepared or powdered baby formula with you when flying, the next question is: How much should I actually bring?
What to bring in your carry on
Prepare as many bottles, or bring as much powdered formula, as you’ll need from the time you leave your house until your estimated time of arrival at your final destination.
Consider packing a little extra. Just in case a bottle spills or if your little one seems extra hungry, having extra formula powder or an extra prepared bottle or two on hand may be important.
If you’re packing prepared formula, be sure to store it in a cooler bag with lots of ice packs or frozen gel packs.
If you’re mixing on the plane, bring enough sterilized bottles to cover each feed
After going through security, purchase bottled water if you’re mixing powdered formula or liquid concentrate on the plane.
Burp cloths and an extra change of cloths
Plastic bag for soiled burp cloths or soiled clothing
What to bring in your checked luggage
Unopened containers of baby formula, whether powdered, liquid concentrate, or ready-to-feed.
Cleaning supplies / sterilization equipment
Expert Tip: Plan ahead by locating stores at your destination that carry your brand of formula, just in case.
Read about: Everything You Need to Know About How to Prepare and Store Baby Formula
Powdered, Read-to-Feed, or Liquid Concentrate: Choosing the best formula format for travel
The type of formula you bring may depend on how long you’ll be traveling for, and how easy it might be for you to prep it while on-the-go!
Pros and cons of traveling with different types of formula
Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
Powdered Baby Formula | Easiest at security if not mixed with water Can pre-measure powder into formula dispensers | Must be mixed with safe water Must measure the correct amount of water and powder Can be bulky if bringing all prepared bottles |
Liquid Concentrate | Easier to mix than powdered | Higher cost Must be mixed with safe water Must measure the correct amount of water and concentrate Canister must be refrigerated after opening |
Ready-to-Feed | Easiest to prepare No measuring required Unopened bottles do not require refrigeration | Higher cost Can be bulky and heavy |
In-flight feeding hacks
Here are a few tips to help make feeding your baby while on a plane a little easier.
Consider pre-measuring each serving of powdered baby formula into formula dispensers
Consider pre-filling sterile bottles with the correct amount of safe water for your baby, then mixing with pre-measured formula on the plane.
Place your formula and everything you need in a separate bag in your carry on so you can access it easily
If your baby is upset at take-off and landing, try feeding a bottle during these times to help them settle. Just remember that if they don’t drink everything in the bottle, it must be finished within 2 hours or thrown out.7
Rinse out bottles when baby is finished to help make them easier to sterilize once you are at your destination. Do not use these bottles again unless you’ve cleaned them thoroughly with hot soapy water.
Cleaning bottles on the go
Cleaning bottles and nipples remains a top priority even while traveling! Aim to pack a bottle brush, small bottle of dish soap, and maybe even a portable drying rack if you have room.
Don’t forget that cleaning your hands and table before mixing formula is also important. For this, consider bringing hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and maybe even a clean mat so that you can safely mix your formula no matter where you are.
For easy bottle sanitizing, consider microwave steam bags. Keep in mind that you still need to wash the bottles before sterilizing them.
Road trip tips for traveling with formula by car
Traveling by car may not be quite as stressful, but it certainly takes just as much organization and preparation!
For short trips: Prepare bottles and keep in a cooler bag with ice packs
If it’s a short trip, pack your prepared formula in a cooler or insulated bag with lots of ice packs. This can be done with prepared powdered, concentrate, or ready-to-feed formulas.
Prepared formula can be stored within a cooler bag with ice packs for as long as the temperature inside remains cold enough. Usually this is no longer than about 2 hours.45
For longer trips: Bring infant formula and water separately
If you will be traveling for longer than 2 hours, consider bringing safe water and formula powder or liquid concentrate separately and preparing feeds as you need them. This will help keep the formula safe for your baby.4
Many parents purchase formula dispensers with sections that you can pre-measure the correct number of scoops needed per bottle. If you don’t have access to a formula dispenser, feel free to use any container that is clean and sanitized.
For convenience, pre-measure the formula or concentrate you need. Pair this with a few bottles of pre-measured, safe water, and you are ready for your outing.
Traveling with formula by car: Tips and Safe Storage
Plan stops every 2 to 3 hours to feed (and change, if needed!) your baby. Try to keep as much in line with your little one’s feeding schedule as possible.
Bring a supply of safe bottled water for your baby
If you are preparing formula ahead of time, pack them in a cooler with plenty of ice packs or frozen gel packs
Bring extra formula and water in case your little one is extra hungry or to make up for any spills
Pack a small brush and dish soap to wash bottles while on your journey
Don’t forget hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and other items needed to keep a clean space before preparing formula6
Let's Chat!
We know parenting often means sleepless nights, stressful days, and countless questions and confusion, and we want to support you in your feeding journey and beyond.
Our Happy Experts are a team of lactation consultants and registered dietitian nutritionists certified in infant and maternal nutrition – and they’re all moms, too! They’re here to offer personalized support on our free, one-on-one, live chat platform Monday - Friday 8am-6pm (ET).No appointment needed, no email or sign-up required. Chat Now!
Read more about the experts who help write our content!
For more on this topic, check out the following articles:
Should I Formula Feed On Demand or on a Schedule?
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