At more than one airport security checkpoint, my husband has sat on the sidelines rolling his eyes at me as I have stood my ground in discussions with TSA about my needs for bottles of water, milk or formula.  As long as we have the time, he seems to understand my deep seated need for “defending the rights of mothers everywhere”.  Well, that’s how he puts it.  Nobody likes the TSA rules and nobody feels any safer because they are in place.  They are arbitrarily followed and until recently I haven’t seen anything that addresses the particular needs of traveling with an infant.

Thanks to Maggie Norris, the Phoenix New Moms Examiner, and her great new article on her first trip traveling with an infant, she gave me a link that I had looked for many months ago, but could not find.  I don’t know how recent this update is, but I am happy to have it.  I am grateful to have had the luxury to breast feed Bella because the times that I have tried traveling with formula powder and water were unnecessarily frustrating.  It is considerably easier to travel and breast feed your baby, but that isn’t an option for all parents.

The TSA info allows mothers (curious that they specify mothers) to bring breastmilk, formula and juice in quantites larger than 3 ounces if you:

1. Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
2. Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.

While those 3 rules above are directly copied from TSA’s website, please read the full post for all the important details.  Expect that going through security will take longer than usual as they might test your liquids, but you should be able to do it without much hassle.

So, don’t expect your TSA experience to be quick and enjoyable, but print out a copy of this page and tuck it in your carry-on bag or backpack.  You never know when you are going to need it.