Can you take baby food pouches on a plane? Yes, Yes You Can!
Okay, so you're wondering if you can take baby food pouches on a plane? If your kids are anything like mine, they almost always want a snack, especially when we are traveling. With how often we travel, squeezable baby food pouches have been a real lifesaver! Thankfully you CAN take baby food pouches on a plane!
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They are small, they are in a resealable container, and if you have a toddler they can hold them on their own so you won’t need to bring any utensils. This makes them the perfect snack for traveling, especially when you are flying.
An added bonus – they even help with popping their ears!
I like to give my kiddos a pouch when we are taking off and another when we start the descent to help ease the pressure in their ears. With TSA’s liquid and food policies, it can be tricky to decide what to bring and what not to bring, but the good news is that you can bring these handy little baby food pouches with you onto your flight.
TSA policies regarding flying with squeezable baby food purees
We all know that TSA has very strict policies regarding what you can and cannot bring on a plane. I always get a little paranoid before a trip and start googling every single thing that is in my bag to make sure that it is allowed!
Here is the good news – TSA DOES allow squeezable baby food purees in both your carry-on bag and in your checked bag. I always like to have mine in my carry-on so that nothing happens to it when it is checked (no one wants a busted baby food pouch in their suitcase).
TSA’s official website states, “Baby food is allowed in reasonable quantities in carry-on bags. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.” You just have to tell security beforehand that you are traveling with food, and they will ask you to remove it from your bag and they will scan it separately. Be prepared for them to open your baby food – they will often do this to make sure that it contains what the package says that it does. You can technically refuse this, but then they’ll make you go through several hoops before approving it for the flight.
Note that they do say it must be a “reasonable amount”. This amount should just be enough for the baby/child to eat during the flight. Any extras can go in your checked bag.
Do baby food pouches count as a liquid when flying?
Baby food pouches are actually an exception to the liquids rule when you are flying. This means that you can bring them in containers that are larger than the typical liquid container size of 3.4 ounces. Baby food, in general, is the exception, meaning that you can take it in pouches, jars, or even cans. You can even bring breast milk, if needed, for your infant. Because the pouches are resealable and you don’t need any utensils, they are the easiest to bring on a flight.
If your kiddos will only eat their food when it’s cold, you can even take ice packs with you to keep the pouches cool. It is important to note that if you are not traveling with your child, your baby food pouches will not be considered baby food and will have to adhere to the liquid item guidelines, meaning they have to be in smaller containers and follow the liquid limits.
Do airports sell baby food?
Not all airports sell baby food. In some gift shops, usually near the dried fruit and snack mixes, you may be able to find a few pouches. You can also sometimes find some at the Starbucks counter. Several airports that I’ve seen have baby stations with vending machines where you can purchase baby food and they have lounges where you can feed your c
hild. Some flights also offer baby food as an in-flight purchase, but be prepared to spend more than you’re used to if you opt for this route. This also depends on the airline and the length of the flight. I like to live by, “better safe than sorry” and always bring some with me, just in case.
Can baby food pouches go through airport security?
Yes, you can take these pouches through airport security. They will want to know in advance that you have food in your bag and will instruct you to take it out so that they can screen it separately. They may even open it to make sure that it is actually baby food in the container.
You can refuse this, but that may lead to extra security measures, such as a pat-down. The good thing is that most of these pouches have twist-off lids that can be put back on, so even though they have been opened, they can be closed again. Try to have it out by the time you get to security so that they will know that you have it and will be prepared to scan it.
Can you take baby food pouches in your suitcase?
Yes, you can also take baby food pouches in your suitcase. This is especially helpful because of the “reasonable amount” statement from TSA. You can’t have more baby food in your carry-on bag than a child could reasonably eat on the flight, but there is not a limit for how much you can have in checked bags. If you want to have food on hand for your destination, you’ll want to put it in your checked suitcase. Keep in mind that these pouches can be heavy and if you have too many you may have to pay extra for your luggage if it is over the airline's weight limit.
Do Baby Food Pouches Explode in Checked Luggage?
While I have never had a baby food pouch explode in my luggage, I’m sure that it is possible! To be safe, I always either leave them in the box so that they won’t get squashed, or I put them in a sealed gallon bag so that, if they do pop open and leak, the food won’t get all over my items.
One brand of baby food posts that their pouches are tough, but that it is still a good idea to wrap them up in case someone is rough with your luggage. This is probably the best idea to ensure that they don’t explode all over your clothing.
Can I still take baby food pouches on an international flight?
Yes, you can still take these pouches on a flight, even if it is international, as long as the baby is present. You will have to check them through customs along with everything else in your
bags. Because baby food options vary by country, if your child will only eat a specific kind of food, you will want to be sure that you have some with you. This is when you will want to have extras in your checked bag for your destination.
Can you take baby food puree on the plane in your carry-on?
Yes, you can also take baby food puree in your carry-on. You will want to make sure that you do not overdo it – TSA will only allow as much as the child can reasonably eat on the flight. You will also want to be prepared to take this out when you are at security.
I like to keep mine in a separate, clear, sealed bag so that they are easy to access. If your child is not traveling with you, the baby food will either need to be in your carry-on or will need to be in a container smaller than 3.4 ounces, per the liquid rules.
Do baby food pouches explode in carry-ons?
Because you are the one carrying your carry-on bag, you can make sure that you are not rough with it to keep the pouches from exploding. However, because sometimes you have to do a little shoving and maneuvering in order to get a carry-on bag into the overhead bin, I would still recommend keeping them in a plastic, sealed bag in case they happen to burst or leak.
How much baby food can you take on a plane?
The TSA website says that you can bring a “reasonable amount” of baby food on a plane (in your carry-on). While there is no exact amount specified, this is as much food as your child (or children) would be expected to eat on a flight. If you have more children, that means that you can bring more pouches. You’ll also be able to have more if you have a long flight. If you need to bring any extras for your destination, these can be stored in your checked bag.
To sum things up, you can bring baby food pouches on a plane with you, as long as they are in moderation, and as long as your child is with you.
