Bottles in the Air

I would think unopened cans of premade formula would be allowed. As for cleaning? Hot water always did the trick when I had no other option.

I packed a cooler with enough bottles and water for the plane. They are flexible when you have a baby for obvious reasons.

I just brought along a small bottle of dishsoap and a bottle brush and then washed them at the end of every night and put them on a clean bathroom towel to dry for the morning.

Good luck and happy travels!

I know you've gotten a lot of great advice so far. I just have one more suggestion that was a real life saver when I've travelled with my babies. I've taken my 3 kids to Maui on several occasions when at least one was an infant. The system I used with bottles was the kind with the disposable sterilized bags (like "drop-ins"). Then I could carry one or two holders, a whole box of drop-ins and a ziploc bag of clean nipples and caps. I then had another ziploc that I put the dirty nipples and caps in. (so easy on the plane) It also made washing in a hotel easier. I only needed to clean the nipples and caps since each bottle was made in a fresh bottle bag.

Have a great trip!

I am travelling also this week and my friend told me to buy the pre maid formula in cans and use that. We are allowed to travel with it according to her and she travels alot and her hubby is a pilot so I use her a very valid source. I do know every airport is different so who really knows.....

So i haven't traveled myself with bottles but i did with a sippy cup and they allow you to have liquids for the baby. so if you can just bring the bottles with the liquid in them already. And as for traveling with a britax i have one that we brought for my son that was great and i know at least my model was aircraft approved. And at for the nipples i would just bring a bottle brush with you and a small thing of soap. and if that doesn't work babies'r'us carries these sterilizing bags that you put in a microwave and i think that they are ok for the nipple and all.
Good luck with your trip
J.

Your best bet is to check the website of the airline that you are flying. I'm pretty sure the liquid rule does not apply to formula or water for formula.

As for washing, I just packed (in my check-in backage) a small bottle of dishsoap & a bottle brush and washed them in the hotel room in hot water. If you are concerned about the water not being hot enough, run a cycle through the coffee pot (without the coffee of course) and pour the hot water in the bottle.

Good luck!

HI M. T

As far as bottles go, you can take a bottle past security; its an exception to the rule. If you don't want to hassle with that then do the powder and water option. Also, I've gone thru with the small cans (unopened) of formula. That worked well for me when we travelled. Take your bottle/nipple brush and detergent (and maybe even drainer) for the hotel room. If did that on plenty of occasions and even tho the bottles weren't totally sanitized, the kids never got sick. I don't know anything about Britax.

Good luck and remember to try to time things so that the baby is taking his/her bottle during takeoff and landing.

M.

A year ago we took our first airplane trip with our then 18 month old son. We didn't have to take formula, since he was on milk by then, but you are allowed to bring liquids on if they are for babies (formula and baby food). I would look at the FAA website because they have a list on there of what you can and cannot take on the airplane. If you don't feel like lugging the water thru security, I would look into buying water at a store when you get into the terminal. That's what we did with his milk. I had a tiny cooler that could hold a few containers of milk that we bought at McD's. It worked out great.
As for the car seat. We took his car seat with us. There is the AWESOME product that attaches to your car seat so you can roll it thru the airport with the child in it. (It fits on many different car seat brands and Britax is one of them.) It's kind of like pulling a suitcase! It was a dream! Unfortunately I can't remember who makes it, I actually borrowed it from my sister. It was great because he was able to ride in his seat through the airport and we didn't have to lug a stroller with us too. (Grandma had a stroller for us when we got to our destination.) You don't have to remove the wheels from the car seat on the plane or the rental car either. The handle pushes in and you can't even tell the wheels are on the seat. We kept it on the entire trip. The one thing you will need to know is that with this attached to the car seat, the seat will not fit thru the x-ray at the security checkpoint. So, tell the security people to hand wand it so you don't have to take it off and put it back on. The less you need to do at the security checkpoint the better! =)

When my son was an infant we flew several times and tried a couple of different things. Once we bought bottled water and brought a sealed smaller cannister of formula to mix with it. The other times we bought the similac premixed formula (not the type we normally used but our son didn't have any problems switching back on forth), the similac jug was allowed by several different airports even though it was larger than the "allowed" fluid size, resealable so it didn't leak and it was easier for us to not to have to mix powder midflight. There was also enough in the jug that if he required several bottles during the airport-plane travel we were okay.

Recently when we were on vacation and in a hotel I packed a bottle brush and a little container of dish soap and just washed out our bottles continuously. Hope you have a good trip!!

they do let you travel w/ bottles of water for a baby so long as they are actual baby bottles. you will likely have to buy water after the security points for refills. just make sure to tell the security folks that you have it and what it's for. they understand and, again, it's allowed.

as to cleaning, medela makes these amazing sterlizing bags (you can get them at target or any like place. a box of 5 of them will run you $5.00 and each bag is good for 20 uses!) that you can put your washed stuff in w/ 3 oz of water for 3 min in the microwave and it will sterilize it! great for pacis, bottles, nipples, etc. and you'd only need to bring one!

good luck and have fun!

We adopted out little girl and we just took formula and bottles with us and bought bottled water to mix with them. We did't travel with a car seat (our airline had bassinets for the babies, but we did have to wash the bottles and nipples in the hotel bathroom. I packed small bottles of dish detergent and a bottle and nipple brush and heated water in the sink as hot as it would go and soaked the bottles/nipples until I could stand the water and then cleaned them as best I could. I also packed a bottle drying rack. We were in the hotel for two and a half weeks and Sienna did fine with that. Hope this helps!!

You can bring bottles with milk or any liquid for your baby. Also, we just washed the bottles with very hot water in the hotel room. They will be happy to give you dish soap or other supplies too (most hotels). Check ahead of time if you need to.
I have heard the Britax is good for travel.

Washing baby bottel nipples in the hotel room: Buy a travel size 3oz plastic bottle and put dish soap in it.(my Walmart caries them for 50 cents) Use the coffee pot in the hotel room to heat the water to a high temperature.
I do not know about the Britax.
For the plane ride. Measure out the formula into individaul servings into the 3 oz plastic bottles suggested above. Purchase a botle of water in the terminal after baggae check and then mix the formula on the plane before take off.

I would buy the water after you pass through security because they won't let you take it through. In regards to the carseat , Britax will fit just fine and are safe. We have Britax Marathons for our twins and they fit perfectly. I would wash the bottles in the sink in extra hot water. Your baby is getting past the age where you have to sterilize bottles anyway. I would make sure to put Huggies overnights on the baby and bring a change of clothes for you and baby. No matter what it seems they go through their clothes because they drink more on the flight. Change your baby before you get on the plane . If you need to change on the flight do it in your seat because the bathroom is too small. just do it fast !You can check your stroller right at the gate .Have a great trip!

Oh, they make you take the baby out of the stroller when going through security . And take off baby's shoes . It's pretty annoying and you will be juggling bags , carseat etc. So be prepared for it.Good Luck!

Hi! I'm in the same boat as you, traveling with a 9 months old next month. I don't quite remember with my 3 year old about the liquid. I THINK as long as it is unopened you can take it, like a water bottle. As for the car seat, here's my advice...take a cheaper seat if you have one! We took our Britax and they lost it. I assume you would be putting your baby in it but if you are not, carry it with you-don't check it! Carry it until you get to the plane and tell them you want it on with the strollers. That way it will go onlast and come out first. And finally, as for cleaning bottles and nipples, you may consider steam bags for the micro. Medela makes some for breat pump accessories. If you prefer not to put your bottles in the micro, may try getting hot water, like for coffee or hot tea and using that. I hope this helps a little. i would love to hear anything you have to help me if you are traveling before the last week in sept. Good Luck!
L.

Just got back from a trip! I made one bottle with water from home after checking in (before going through security) because you can bring already mixed bottles through. Then bought bottled water in the airport after going through security (asked for a room temp one). Good luck!

I have travelled with breast milk and baby food. You can travel with pre-made bottles but can only bring enough for the flight in your carry on. They should be in a separate cooler or container and make sure that they go through security like your toiletries...as for the water, I've heard that they'll let you bring it (just enough for the flight) if it's nursery water ONLY. Maybe you're better off just buying water after you get through security. I will say that I have flown to FL and back and to AZ and back and have not once been questioned about the milk or food.
Good luck!

As far as the bottle washing, they sell disposible dish like clothes that are easy to travel with and have the soap in them once you wet them. I've had the same pack and used it for several different trip to wash sippy cups/bottles.

Hi!!
I just went on vacation with my little one a few weeks ago. You can bring on empty bottles, baby formula, and medicine. If you want to bring pre-made formula, it has to be either 3 or 4 ounces at the most. Otherwise, I also thought about buying a box of the ready to feed formula. It is very handy on the airplane!! I called many airlines before leaving to get their procedures. I'm not sure who you are flying with, but I flew with United Airlines, and their website has very detailed information about traveling with a baby, carry on requirements, what you can bring with, etc. As for cleaning the bottles, I just brought my bottle/nipple brush with & bought a small bottle of liquid dish soap & washed them that way.
Good luck!!!
J.

Don't know about the other stuff but just buy dish soap once you get to your destination. Pack a bottle scrub brush thingy in your suitcase and just wash the bottles in the sink at your hotel. A little inconvient for a few days but it's about the only solution.
NJ

It looks like you have gotten some good info about the car seat and washing bottles (I would go with a microwave sterilizer). You can bring liquid (juice, formula, breastmilk, and pureed baby food) through security. Make sure to put it all together in a zip lock bag. take it out of your carry on and put it on the scanner by itself, tell the securtity people that it is for the baby. I haven't traveled with baby through Ohare, but have never had any trouble at Midway taking food, juice or breastmilk. Here is a link to the TSA information http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm so that you can read more about it.

I have flown many times with my children, most recently in July with my then 4 mo old. We flew AA and there was different rules for baby items. I brought the bottles on prefilled with baby water in a ziploc bag. Every airline is different, though.

We have traveled with Britax (Marathon & Roundabout) before and it is airplane safe. I have not flown on a plane that has the latch system. We use the plane seatbelt to buckle it in. Your baby will be on the window seat so expect that it will be a little tough to get the seatbelt adjusted.

You can just wash the bottles/nipples with hot soapy water if your baby has no special concerns. Otherwise, pick up a sterilization bag that is used with the nursing pump. Medela has one. You add a tablespoon of water and microwave the items for ~3 minutes. If there is not one in the hotel room, there is often one available in the breakfast area.

Have a wonderful trip!

I recently traveled with my infant and had no problems at the airport. Formula - liquid or otherwise - is allowed through security as an exception to the liquid rule. As for washing the nipples/bottles, I just brought dish soap and washed them in hot water while I was away.

I have traveled with a Britax in the past (mine is a Roundabout model) and it was great on the airplane. I have talked to friends who have traveled with the larger models though, and have said it was pretty tight.

Good luck with your trip.

I have flown many times with my baby, and if your baby is with you, you can take milk/formula through security. You just have to put it in one of the bins and it will go through. If you take jarred baby food in your bags through security, be sure to pull those out and have them in the quart Ziplock bag. Those count as a liquid, too, as I found out once by not doing so and then had to have the whole bag searched while waiting with an inpatient little one:-)

Never traveled on plane with baby, so I'm not sure about feeding on plane. But, we did travel to GA with 5 month old and you can either 1) bring enough bottles so you don't have to wash any or 2) wash in the hotel sink (bring your own dish soap and bottle washing stuff) and then sterilize using Medela's sterilizing bags. You can buy from Babies R Us and they are awesome. I use them even at home. One bag lasts for 20 sterilizations so you can reuse.

good luck!

I've traveled with my Britax Marathon with a child at that age..no problem installing on the plane rearfacing (and it will increase the chance that baby will sleep!)...the carseat must go in the window seat so as to not block the aisle in an emergency...and yes the person in front will not be able to recline...but your child's seat must be installed how it is in the car and seeing as baby's so young she rides rearfacing...I've always offered to buy the person in front a drink (of course it's an early flight they might thinky you're a lush....)

For the hotel I always brought my folding bottle rack and bottle brush with a small bottle of dish soap and set up a little bottle station on the counter...

In the airport I pulled my seat in a carseat bag with wheels with my DD in the stroller...when I got to the gate, got a gate pass for the stroller, wheeled the stroller right to gate, had a Flight attendant hold baby while I installed the seat...never a problem...I flew with two kids on my own, once with my newborn on oxygen and a 3 year old...I've always found flight attendants helpful as well as business travellers (dad's who are missing kids at home!!!)

Bring lots of little snacks if baby is eating cheerios etc... and some new toys...and change baby right before you board...I learned how to do lap changes for peepee..for poop you'll have to sit on the floor in the galley area...the bathrooms do not work-there are changing table but let's say from experience I don't recommend them!

Happy flying...and when you're buying a drink for the passenger in front, get one for yourself if you're so inclined!

B.

Hi! I never flew w/ a car seat (took advantage of the infant in lap allowance until my daughter turned 2) but there is a new FAA approved harness that creates a 5-point harness system on airplane seats - http://www.kidsflysafe.com/. I believe the harness is for children age 1 and up but it's something worth checking out for future trips - that way you don't have to lug a big car seat and can check it through instead.

As for a quick way to sterilize bottles and nipples, in addition to the suggestions by the other Moms, Medela sells a microwaveable sterilizer bag. It seems most hotel rooms these days have microwaves but if they don't, there's usually a common area kitchen that you could use (call ahead and ask if you would have access to a microwave and a refrigerator). Anyway, while this bag is meant for breast pump parts, I used it to sterilize bottles and nipples as well. Just a few tablespoons of water and microwave for 3 mins. and everything is sterilized. Very convenient!

Good luck!

I dont know the answer to the last 2 questions, but you are allowed liquids through security if it is for your baby. I have travelled to Ireland with my son 5 times and we have always been allowed his formula etc. Have a safe journey

I've had my water (already in a baby bottle) tossed at security. I think they would have let me keep it if I'd have mixed in the formula right then. I just bought bottled water after. And I just traveled with some dish soap (make sure it's a very small amount so sercurity doesn't toss it!)

I try to know the rules before I go. However, not all the security agents know all the rules... When in doubt, have a plan B just in case.

You can take one bottle past security, so I would mix one bottle when dropped off at the airport (which is good for 2 hours), so if he got hungry while waiting, I could feed him. Then, buy a bottle of water past security. You can ask the cashiers if they have room temp water, and they'll get you one, so you don't need to worry about giving a refrigerator cold bottle. Whatever you do - -DO NOT GIVE YOUR CHILD AIRPLANE WATER!!! I've seen lots of reports that they use the tap water, which is just gross! Even if it's a myth, it is not worth the risk, when you can happily buy your $3 bottle of water from the airport! :)

**note -- try to plan feeding around takeoff! You'll have a happy baby with nicely popped ears! Of course, feeding for us has never been around takeoff, but a little diluted apple juice did the trick for us!****

Never travelled w/ a carseat - -can't help you there!

Pack the smallest thing of dawn you can find (or buy when you get there!) and a bottle brush & scrub the nipples & bottles in the hotel sink. Won't be sterilized, but will get them washed for a couple days anyway!

Hi! Actually they will let you travel w/ liquids as long as your baby is with you. The thing that I learned was that the formula & water have to be pre-mixed. So on the next flight I took w/ my son, I got an insulated bag & put an ice pack in it to keep the formula from going bad.

As far as the bottles & nipples, what do you mean? Do you mean as far as sterilizing them? When my son was FIRST born, we washed all of his bottles & nipples in hot water at the hospital w/ dish soap. The nurse said that was perfectly fine.

Hope you have a safe & enjoyable trip!

From what I understand, infant formula or breastmilk is allowed through security. Maybe you could prefill the bottles you need with water and take the formula in one of those little dispensers. You could show both to security and worst-case, you could purchase bottled water inside the terminal.
I have traveled with a Britaz car seat (Roundabout) several times and it works great. If you can get a seatbelt extender from the flight attendant, that makes it even easier to install but otherwise you'll need to install it front-facing with the seat belt through the back. I have known several people to travel with the Marathon as well but it is harder to work with due to its size.
Finally, when washing bottles/nipples in the hotel, I would just pack a mini-bottle of dish washing liquid, a bottle brush and you could use a towel to set up an area for drying.
Good luck!

I traveled to FL in March with a 9 month old. I recall filling bottles up with plain water. We put them in the baggy through security. Even though the max amt is 3 oz - I had a 10 oz bottle filled. They saw we were traveling with a baby, stroller and they let the water through. They asked me to confirm it was to mix with formula and I said yes. We had no troubles at OHare and hopefully you will not either!!
I did not travel w/a car seat so I cannot help you there.
As for the hotel I would suggest using scalding hot water to clean them or perhaps ask room service to send you hot water to clean the nipples.
Good luck!
M.

I have not yet flown with my baby (unless you count being pregnant) but I can add to the advice. To save cost, you can bring EMPTY water bottle(s). Ask one of the restaurant people to fill them for you once you're on the other side of security. The water they have at their stations is all potable and fine. Of course you can buy bottled water, but the prices are crazy.
good luck!