Baby Products You Can Take On a Plane

Items You Can Take On a Plane with Baby

Going through airport security can be stressful for anyone. But going through airport security with a baby in tow can be downright chaotic. (Does my baby have to chug the rest of his bottle while we wait in the security line? Will I have to toss out my breast milk?

Luckily, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) makes plenty of allowances for parents and young kids — and as it turns out, you can probably pack more than you think in that carry-on. Here’s a guide to some unexpected baby gear you can (and should) bring with you on an airplane.

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Breast Milk

Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags

Items You Can Take On a Plane with Baby - Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags
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Good news for breastfeeding mamas: The TSA's 3.4-ounce-limit, which applies to most liquids stashed in your carry-on, doesn’t apply to breast milk. (That said, if you’re bringing more than 3.4 ounces, let a TSA agent know in advance; it’ll likely need to be screened separately.)

These breast milk storage bags from Lansinoh can lay flat or be stored upright, which will save space — and spare yourself from having to wash too many bottles on the go. The bags also come pre-sterilized and reinforced with a double seal to prevent leakage. Breast milk can also be stashed in your checked bags.

Ice Packs for Breast Milk

Medela Breastmilk Cooler Set

Items You Can Take On a Plane with Baby - Medela Breast Milk Cooler and Transport Set
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The TSA allows you to bring ice packs, freezer packs and frozen gel packs in your carry-on bag and luggage to keep breast milk fresh. We like the Medela Breastmilk Cooler Set, which can hold four 5-ounce breast milk bottles and comes with a contoured ice pack.

Keep in mind that frozen liquid items and gel packs are allowed, but they must be frozen solid. If they're "partially melted, slushy or have any liquid at the bottom of the container," you have to adhere to the 3-1-1 liquids requirements.

Baby Formula

Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula

Items You Can Take On a Plane with Baby - Similac Pro Advance Baby Formula
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Amazon
Amazon
$134 for 1-month supply
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You can pack more than 3.4 ounces of formula — and more than 3.4 ounces of water for babies, such as for mixing formulas powders — in your checked luggage and carry-on. (If you’re bringing it with you on the plane, however, the TSA requires you to separate these items from the rest of your gear to be screened.)

We’re fans of Similac — the brand has nabbed numerous What to Expect Awards — and their Pro-Advance formula is designed to be closer to breast milk than ever.

Bottled Water

Poland Spring Origin 100% Natural Spring Water

Baby Products You Can Take On a Plane - Poland Spring Bottles
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Amazon
Amazon
$28 for 12 30.4-fluid ounce bottles
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As we mentioned, extra water for babies is allowed per the TSA. Just make sure to bring "reasonable quantities" of it in your carry-on and have it ready to be screened separately. Depending on how long your flight is, one or two of these 30.4 fluid-ounce bottles from Poland Spring should be enough to get you through the trip. 

Baby Food Pouches

Gerber Organic 2nd Foods Fruit and Veggie Variety Pack

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The TSA allows passengers to pack canned, jarred and processed baby food in both checked luggage and carry-on bags (if you take it with you on the plane, it’ll need to be screened separately from the rest of your travel gear, however). These pureed fruit and vegetable pouches from Gerber are easy to pack — and eat — on the go. No spoon required.

Baby Food Jars

Gerber 2nd Foods Natural Apple Prune Baby Meals

Items You Can Take On a Plane with Baby - Gerber 2nd Food Natural Baby Meals
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Target
Target
$1 for one 4-ounce jar
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Just like with the pouches, you can also take glass baby food jars on board. Again, let your TSA officer know that you have those in your carry-on before your screening. These Gerber jars are one of our favorites.

Wet Wipes

Babyganics Baby Wipes

Items You Can Take On a Plane with Baby - Babyganics Baby Wipes
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Amazon
Amazon
$16 for 3 packs of 80 wipes
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Target
$15 for 400 count
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Wet wipes are a must for moms on the move. Luckily, they’re also approved to store in your carry-on and checked luggage. These wet wipes from Babyganics are formulated with plant-based ingredients, and free of fragrances and artificial dyes.

Diaper Lotion

Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment

Items You Can Take On a Plane with Baby - Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
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Amazon
Amazon
$6 for two 0.35-ounce tubes
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Why We Love It

Diaper cream isn't allowed in your carry on luggage in larger-than-3.4-ounce containers — and you'll probably want to keep a tube with you during the flight. These 0.35-ounce tubes from Aquaphor are small enough to take with you on the plane can soothe irritated skin and help prevent diaper rash.

Travel Stroller

Gb Pockit Stroller

Items You Can Take On a Plane with Baby - GB All City Pockit Stroller
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You’re allowed to bring strollers on an airplane, but many of them are too bulky for the overhead compartment and will need to be gate-checked. That’s not the case with the Gb Pockit, however. When folded down, this stroller measures a mere 12 inches by 7 inches by 20 inches — small enough to fit in the overhead bin or even in a roomier carry-on bag. Bonus: Despite weighing only 9.5 pounds, it’s strong enough to tote around babies who weigh up to 55 pounds.

Infant Nail Clippers

Fridababy NailFrida the SnipperClipper

Items You Can Take On a Plane with Baby - Fridababy NailFrida
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Even though they're a sharp object, which typically isn't allowed on planes, you can bring your little one's nail clippers or scissors in your carry-on. These ones from Fridababy are a must-have.

If you choose to check a sharp object, make sure it's sheathed or wrapped to avoid injuries during inspection.

Teethers With Liquid

Green Sprouts Cool Fruit Teether

Items You Can Take On a Plane with Baby - Green Sprouts Fruit Cool Soothing Teether
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Despite their inner contents, you can carry teethers on a plane — thank goodness! This apple-shaped teether from Green Sprouts is filled with distilled water, which can provide cooling relief when you refrigerate it.