Traveling with a newborn can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be a struggle. The key to making your air travel hassle-free is to pack everything a toddler may need. Are you traveling with your formula-fed baby for the first time?
Wondering what to stash in your bag to ensure your and your baby’s comfort?
Though there are several things you may need, baby formula is one of the most essential things you should have on the top of your checklist.
Looking for ideas on how to pack formula for air travel?
Well, you’ve reached the right spot for the right info.
Here, we have put together some critical tips that you may consider for packing baby formula for traveling on an airplane.
Hopefully, the details in this article on how to pack formula for air travel will help you make your journey as a formula-feeding parent seamless and rewarding.
Now let’s work out the formula for how to pack formula for air travel!
Table of Contents
- 5 Tips on How to Pack Formula for Air Travel
- 1. Carry Your Own Powdered Formula
- 2. Store Some Formula in Diaper Bag
- 3. Choose the Right Water
- 4. Carry Enough Powdered Formula
- 5. Pack Sterilizing Equipment
- Must-Have Items to Travel with Baby Formula
- 1. Bottles
- 2. Powder Formula Dispensers
- 3. Bottle Liners
- 4. Bottle Warmer
- 5. Bottle Soap and Brush
- 6. Burp Cloth
- 7. Backpack
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 1. Can I take baby formula through airport security?
- 2. What water to use for formula when traveling?
- 3. How can I warm baby formula on a plane?
- 4. How to pack formula for air travel?
- 5. How much powdered formula can I pack with me on a plane?
- 6. Do I need to sterilize my baby’s bottle on the plane?
- 7. Can I make the formula in advance?
- 8. How long is stored powdered formula good for?
- 9. Can I use boiled water to prepare the formula?
- 10. Can I make my baby drink cold formula?
- How to Pack Formula for Air Travel: Final Thoughts
5 Tips on How to Pack Formula for Air Travel
Being the parent of a bottle-fed baby shouldn’t put you off exploring the world. It’s possible to plan a vacation to any of your favorite destinations with your kid(s) and feed them on the go.
All you need right now is a few handy tips on how to pack formula for air travel, especially when traveling with your newly born for the first time.
In this section, we will mention some quick and essential tips on how to pack baby formula for air travel. Take a look and try to keep them in your mind as a formula-feeding parent to ensure convenience.
1. Carry Your Own Powdered Formula
Whether you’re flying to another state or another country, it is highly recommended to take your own formula while traveling. The primary reason behind this is that changing your little one’s formula all of a sudden can potentially give them tummy troubles.
It also eliminates the risk of not finding the right formula brand when you get to your destination.
In addition, powdered formula is generally lighter than liquid, and packing dry formula can make your journey effortless and stress-free when moving through TSA.
With powdered formula, you don’t have to worry about liquid restrictions.
2. Store Some Formula in Diaper Bag
One of the best tips we have is to always best to pack enough formula in your carry-on or diaper bag. Doing so might be helpful in case of loss or delay of luggage, especially when you take connecting flights.
Wondering how to pack formula in a diaper bag? No worries! Simply measure the amount in an empty, clean travel formula container and put it into the diaper bag to keep the powder handy.
Honestly, keeping formula in the diaper bag, flying or not, is a dang good idea!
3. Choose the Right Water
The water quality changes from region to region, and it might not be safe to use just any tap water to prepare the baby formula. The sudden water change can negatively impact your toddler’s health, even when boiled. In such cases, using bottled water is the best option.
Do check the label on the water bottles to see the sulfate and sodium content. Ensure the sulfate is less than 250 mg/liter and the sodium is less than 200 mg/liter. Wanna know a li’l secret?
Consider buying water bottles with the picture of a baby on them, as they are suitable for infants (e.g. Evian).
Bottled water makes the safest bet for air travel.
4. Carry Enough Powdered Formula
No matter how long your trip, carrying enough powdered formula should be one of your priorities when traveling with a baby. It’s never the right decision to change your baby’s formula brand, especially when you’re on vacation.
It might upset the baby’s stomach and eventually end up with you worrying about the kid than actually enjoying your holidays.
To avoid such hassles and make your trip successful, it is wise to pack an adequate amount of formula with you. In fact, it’s good practice to pack more than you think you will need.
This is about feeding your kid after all – it is only going to be better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!
5. Pack Sterilizing Equipment
Another important tip we have on how to travel with ready-to-feed formula is to keep all the items sterilized.
For example, as per this United Kingdom’s National Health Service report, it is recommended to sanitize and sterilize all feeding products of kids under 12 months.
It is also best to always carry sterilizing wipes to keep your seating area clean on the plane. Moreover, you definitely don’t want to contaminate clean bottles by mixing them with dirty ones. So, be sure to have extra bags to keep clean and dirty bottles separated.
Hopefully, you consider these helpful hints while figuring out how to pack formula for air travel! Remember, if you’re using ready-to-use baby formula, make sure to take it from a freshly opened baby formula container.
Also, consider discarding any leftover formula that has been in the refrigerator for over two days.
See Related: Best Travel Water Purifiers
Must-Have Items to Travel with Baby Formula
To wisely follow the above tips on how to pack formula for air travel, it is essential to have all the items you may need to bottle feed your baby.
We have listed a few infant feeding products parents can consider purchasing for vacations with bottle-fed infants.
These are some items bottle-feeding parents swear by to have to ensure a seamless journey.
You might not need to buy everything, but it’s essential to have the right items with you, and here are some of them:
1. Bottles
Kids are often fussy when it comes to their feeding bottles. Therefore, it is always best to stick with the bottles they use at home.
You also have the choice to go with single-use disposable bottles, but that can be expensive and the quality can vary.
Furthermore, a multipack of single-use bottles occupies more space in your luggage.
2. Powder Formula Dispensers
Formula dispensers are perfect for parents traveling with kids and are extra helpful for feeding babies. A baby formula container makes it easy for parents to store the powder and use it whenever needed while on the go.
Travel formula dispensers also help pre-measure the formula to mix it up in bottles whenever needed.
3. Bottle Liners
Many parents prefer using pre-sterilized disposable bottle liners while traveling. They usually do so to avoid bottle sterilization. However, we do suggest sterilizing the bottle nipple to ensure hygiene.
4. Bottle Warmer
A bottle warmer is a thermal flask designed to keep water hot. You can use it to warm your baby’s bottle. It features a baby formula container where you put your infant’s bottle, along with the hot water.
This method of warming baby feed is much safer and faster than placing the bottle under warm tap water. It also preserves nutrients. Plus, warm tap water is something of a hot rare commodity on an airplane.
5. Bottle Soap and Brush
After use, a baby’s bottle needs to be cleaned thoroughly to ensure hygiene and health. Regardless of your bottle system, you will inevitably be doing some cleaning and washing at the end of a feeding.
Therefore, remember to pack a bottle brush and dish detergent with you. This is the best way to keep bottles, and nipples (and seats) clean and germ-free.
6. Burp Cloth
As we all know, there’s always the risk that babies will burp and spit up whatever they’ve just gulped down, especially when on a plane.
Trust me; it’s common.
So, never forget to pack a burp cloth. We’ve found that using cotton chenille burp cloth is the best choice as they soak up much more than any other burp clothes on the market.
7. Backpack
Even if you have bought a baby bag or preferred luggage for air travel, you may find it simpler to use a backpack for traveling.
When you have a suitcase in one hand and a stroller in the other, carrying a backpack seems way easier than a shoulder bag.
If you do decide to take the backpack route, be sure to purchase a bag with lots of compartments so that you can keep all the needed items (above-mentioned) handy.
Wide, padded shoulder straps will make the load-carrying more comfortable.
See Related: Top Travel Hacks
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A lot of questions or doubts come to mind when traveling with formula-fed babies. In this post on how to pack formula for air travel, we have mentioned parents’ most frequently asked questions.
Hopefully, our answers will help you take the stress out and plan a successful trip.
1. Can I take baby formula through airport security?
The answer is – Yes. The formula for infants or toddlers is allowed in a reasonable quantity through airport security. In addition, you can inform the security officer at the beginning of the screening that you’re carrying formula packs with you in your carry-on bag.
Be warned, there’s always the risk you’ll have to verify it is baby formula, particularly if it is in liquid form.
2. What water to use for formula when traveling?
You can use bottled or tap water to prepare powdered formula. Just make sure that the water is clean. If you’re concerned about water purity, you can always consider going with bottled water.
However, as mentioned earlier, check the water bottle’s label to buy the water with less sodium and sulfate.
3. How can I warm baby formula on a plane?
As discussed above, you can consider carrying a bottle warmer (a flask) filled with hot water to warm your baby’s formula.
Or you can ask the crew to use the galley to make up your bottle, most commercial airlines will be more than happy to accommodate you!
4. How to pack formula for air travel?
Whether you have formula containers, tins, or cartons, you can put them in your carry-on or suitable. It is usually recommended to carry the travel formula container in zip-lock bags and pad it up with something soft to minimize breakages.
To avoid particularly nasty breakages and save on weight, avoid glass containers where possible.
5. How much powdered formula can I pack with me on a plane?
Well, you can certainly carry more than 3.4 ounces of powdered formula on a plane. That said, you can only bring 3.4 ounces of bottled water with your carry-on to prepare the formula on the go.
Moreover, it is worth keeping some amount of baby formula in a diaper bag or handbag if you’re concerned about your baggage being delayed or stolen.
6. Do I need to sterilize my baby’s bottle on the plane?
Washing bottles with dish soap helps remove germs, but exposing them to heat is the best way to protect your baby against infections. That’s why it is advised to sterilize bottles and teats properly before using them.
7. Can I make the formula in advance?
You can, but it’s best to prepare the formula right before giving it to your kid. I won’t lie though, this can be troublesome on a long flight.
In such a case, it is more convenient to prepare the formula in advance and store it in a cool place to minimize the chance of it spoiling and to shed some of the hassles.
8. How long is stored powdered formula good for?
The powdered formula still protected by its original seal is good until the expiration date listed on its ready-to-feed bottle or container.
Once you open it, the formula lasts just for a month. After that, you should start with a fresh container to ensure nutrition.
9. Can I use boiled water to prepare the formula?
You do not need to use boiled water for preparing formula as long as your baby is healthy.
It’s not what we’d generally recommend, but, if it gives you satisfaction, or you want to reassure yourself that the water is completely safe, then go for it (just remember this is a little harder to do on a plane).
If you do boil the water, first make sure the water has reached a rolling boil for at least 1 minute, otherwise, you’re not killing any germs and just wasting everyone’s time.
Next, remember to let the water cool completely before using it to make up your bottle, in order to eliminate the chances of burning the baby. It will take at least 20 minutes for boiling water to cool to a drinkable temperature without assistance (i.e. running the hot bottle under a cold tap).
Another reason to reconsider using boiling water for formula is that using such hot water for preparing the formula can break down some nutrients, making the formula, lessening the nutritional value of your baby’s meal.
10. Can I make my baby drink cold formula?
Yes, absolutely. It’s OK to give room temperature or even cold formula to your baby. The liquid should feel lukewarm, not hot.
How to Pack Formula for Air Travel: Final Thoughts
Overall, bottle-feeding can be challenging for new parents. This is one of the many skills they need to learn for a smooth travel experience.
But, within no time, and with the right tools and tips, they can become pros in it in no time.
Hopefully, the information in this post will help you understand how to pack formula for air travel and keep your little one nourished and healthy.
Related Resources:
- Best Travel Accessories
- How to Travel Full Time
- How to Plan a Family Getaway
- Scott’s Cheap Flights Reviews
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