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Baby Food and Baby Milk Restrictions

Airline travel regulations on baby milk and baby food quantities are less strict in the United Kingdom. Check what amounts you can carry in hand luggage on plane flights.

FLIGHT ALLOWANCE FOR BABY FOODS: Are you traveling with a baby on an airplane?

If so, you can take enough baby food, baby milk, and sterilized water for the entire journey. The amount may be over the normal 100ml liquid limit in some cases.

Airport staff at the security point may need to open the food and milk containers to screen the liquids.

Note: You do not need to travel with a baby to carry breast milk in hand luggage. But, UK airport security regulations change on a regular basis.

All the following items can go inside carry-on hand luggage with some restrictions. You can also store them inside your hold luggage providing the baby is present:

  • Breast milk used by breastfeeding mothers (inside 2,000ml containers for hand luggage).
  • Frozen breast milk (excluding hand luggage).
  • Formula milk or cow’s milk.
  • Soya milk for babies.
  • Baby food (including finger foods).
  • Cooling gel packs.
  • Sterilized or boiled water to make a feed for the baby (water must be in a baby bottle).

Note: You may face restrictions of 100ml for products like baby lotion or nappy cream (carried in a clear bag).

Taking Baby Milk and Food on Planes

UK Department of Transport restrict the quantity of most liquids taken through airport security control to 100ml. But, this rule does not apply to baby milk and baby food. Thus, when you take a flight with a baby you are usually allowed to take baby milk and food in much higher quantities.

As a rule, you may take as much baby foods that your infant needs for the flight. Even so, it is wise to prepare for some delays due to longer customs checks.

You may also need to verify the liquids by tasting them yourself. So, you might need to open sealed cartons and jars. The foods will usually end up as airport confiscated items if you refuse to taste them.

Often, you can buy baby food and milk after you get through security. The stock on the shelves are pre-screened so you will not have to verify these yourself.

Note: Some airports operate a reserve-and-collect service for formula milk. So, you can book your chosen brand of formula with your airline and collect it at the departure lounge.

Baby Food Allowance and Baby Milk Restrictions in the United Kingdom