S/O flying with baby...

MrsHollywood1023

E is now a formula baby so when I fly home next month with her I'll obviously need to take water to mix it with.  I read online that airport security allows you to travel with medications, baby formula or food, breast milk, and juice in reasonable quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces and are not required to be in the zip top bag.  Usually when we're out and about I just grab a bottle of water that we keep at room temperature but I'm not sure if they would let me go through with an entire bottle of water. I also don't want to fill a bunch of bottle with water just to take up a ton of space and possibly leak in the diaper bag. I would just buy a bottle of water after I get through security but I'm flying out of a very tiny airport and there are no machines or restaurants past security.  What has been your experience?  Would you try to take the bottle of water or make room for a bunch of bottles?  The first flight is an hour and the second flight is 2 hours, plus a lay over. 

Second question- I had to give them E's name and age when purchasing the ticket but I can't find anywhere online what kind of identification I would need for her, if any.  Do they usually request ID for infants?   If they do would I just need her birth certificate and social security card?  I'm really not comfortable traveling with both of them since I have a habit of losing everything.

mommyjenny257

I don't know what to suggest about your first issue.  However, we just purchased airline tickets for June to go to Phoenix.  Because LO is less than 2 years old, we didn't have to provide his name or any info regarding him. He does not even need a ticket to fly.  If you're using an airline that charges for infants, you may want to look into other options as there are those out there that do not charge. We are just taking the Moby wrap to carry him in during the flight so that we can have our hands free during the trip.

MrsHollywood1023

MommyJenny257:

I don't know what to suggest about your first issue.  However, we just purchased airline tickets for June to go to Phoenix.  Because LO is less than 2 years old, we didn't have to provide his name or any info regarding him. He does not even need a ticket to fly.  If you're using an airline that charges for infants, you may want to look into other options as there are those out there that do not charge. We are just taking the Moby wrap to carry him in during the flight so that we can have our hands free during the trip.

They aren't  charging us for her at all, we could even reserve a seat for no charge if we wanted.  I'm taking my Moby as well so my arms don't fall off

thatsmary

MommyJenny257:

I don't know what to suggest about your first issue.  However, we just purchased airline tickets for June to go to Phoenix.  Because LO is less than 2 years old, we didn't have to provide his name or any info regarding him. He does not even need a ticket to fly.  If you're using an airline that charges for infants, you may want to look into other options as there are those out there that do not charge. We are just taking the Moby wrap to carry him in during the flight so that we can have our hands free during the trip.

You're actually not allowed (although they may not say anything) to use the wrap during take off and landing, but it is still helpful.  Under 2 does not need a ticket as long as they are a lap child, but some people prefer to buy a ticket and have lo sit in a car seat.

We are flying United tomorrow and I bought the ticket before DD was born. I called up and added her as a lap child with her name . They even incl her name on my reservation online.  You can do it at the gate, though, my sister who is a flight attendant (not United) said.  I asked re ID and they said either will work, though I'm going with birth certificate because it has our names on it too and I don't want there to be a problem.

As far as the formula goes I didn't look into it b/c I EBF, but if I were you I would take one pre-made bottle plus a sealed water bottle explaining what it is for.  That way you are covered either way.  &/or check with the airline and see if they have water bottles in flight. Your destination or lay over places are bound to have shops.

 

JenniferMatos

MommyJenny257:

I would take one pre-made bottle

This might not be a good idea only because once you mix formula it has to be used within an hour or you have to toss it. So if you take a pre-made bottle and its not used you are just wasting formula(which is expensive). I would bring a sealed (unopened) water bottle and just declare it at security with the formula. TSAs website states for items larger than the 3.4oz requirement you just have to declare it at security and they will inspect it.

The bottles I use have a little disk you put under the cap to prevent leaks. My cousins bottles have a separete cap that screws on that just seals the bottle instead of allowing a nipple to be placed on. If you don't want to worry about the bottle of water you might be able to pick up something like that so your bottle is already filled with the water. HTH

cougarlicious

Can you bring a couple of ready-to-eat bottles to make due until you get to your destination? You don't have to unseal them until your LO is hungry, and they should go through security fine.

aktemple

cougarlicious:

Can you bring a couple of ready-to-eat bottles to make due until you get to your destination? You don't have to unseal them until your LO is hungry, and they should go through security fine.

This is what I would recommend. Much easier. Re: ID, you have to bring a birth cert so you can show proof of age.  At least that's what I was told.  Re: Moby wrap, you can't use it going through security, but it will be helpful after that.

Good luck!  

MrsHollywood1023

Thanks so much ladies!! I read that when I go through security, whatever carrier I use will have to go through the x-ray machine and I have to hold her out from my body so I'm prepared for that part.  We don't have to worry about a car seat because my best friends LO just started using a front facing car seat this month so she's lending us his infant seat and my mom is just going to get the base installed in her car for when she picks us up (it's only E and I going).  I didn't even think of the already made formula!  I'll have to get some and see if E likes it, if so, we might go that rout! Thanks again!

flhokie

I would take the birth certificate or a copy--airlines say they can ask for proof of age (to make sure they are under 2 if a lap child), but you shouldn't need anything more than that for id. 

As for formula, I plan to take some of the Enfamil cans that you can open (pop top) and pour in to a bottle and/or some of the pre-mixed bottles. I'll also take some pre-measured powder as a back up and buy some water once we get through security. We use the drop-ins so I'll take 1 or 2 bottles and several liners & nipples so that I don't have to carry a bunch of bottles.

The wrap will be helpful through the airport and once in the air, but as another person said you cannot use it during takeoff and landing (FAA regulation).