July 2025

Easiest Way to Get Through TSA Security with Baby Formula

Before our first flight, I did all the research to make sure we had the smoothest experience going through TSA security with all our baby items – including baby formula. So when I was asked to toss the baby formula on our first try, I was pretty upset.

I had brought a few bottles of water, individual portions of powder formula, and a few bottles that had formula mixed and ready to go to get us through the flight. The mixed formula bottles were a problem and a problem that should not have been a problem according to the TSA rules. I explained that I am allowed to bring these items in excess of 3 ounces but the mixed formula set off an alert when tested and it was marked as no fly. They wanted to throw the entire bottle away – after panicking that I needed that bottle, an agent escorted me out of security, I tragically dumped the formula, and had to go through security again with my empty baby bottle.

What went wrong?

Honestly, I still do not know. I put through a formal complaint with TSA asking what I did wrong and how to prevent it in the future. Here is the correspondence below:

So that all being said, I was determined to have a better experience with our next flight and reevaluate how to pack formula. I started with a few truths and observations:

• I am allowed to bring food for my baby and the volume can exceed 3 ounces / 100 mL
• Any container of fluid that is permitted by TSA and exceeds the 3 ounces / 100 mL must undergo testing
• If testing is being done on a bottle, the cap has to be removed – you can ask the TSA agent to put new gloves on

I honestly really hated the baby bottles that would be going into my baby’s mouth getting tested without the caps on and I am not a germaphobe. I just know airports are full of them and I really want to do everything in my power to prevent something nasty getting onto the bottle top that is going into the baby’s mouth. And since it seemed to be the premixed formula that caused the issues and not water by itself, I had a new plan.

1. Pack empty bottles
2. Pack individual pre-scooped formula (we love these containers!)
3. Pack sealed, unopened bottles of water

Then the only thing that would need to be tested are the bottled of water. I packed double what I needed in the event I spilled or there was some other catastrophe. My plan was that once I was through security, I would then make the bottles I wanted for the plan ride by pouring the water I needed to each bottle and then adding the formula when it was ready to feed.

Security was much smoother with the packing strategy. All they needed to do was test the sealed bottles of water. This greatly reduced the germ exposure since the bottles did not have to be opened. And so far, the bottles of water themselves have not flagged an alarm. Once at the gate, I poured the amount of water I needed into the bottles and had the containers of formula ready to pour when needed in flight.

After six rounds through TSA security to date, this has been the easiest and most consistent way to get baby formula through without too much hassle. I hope this helps someone in the future while traveling with their baby and requires formula.

Check out all my packing tips and tricks here!

Read more blogs posts on Travel with a Baby here!