Baby milk, formula and food through UK airport security

Airport security is the part of flying with a baby most parents worry about, mostly because of the liquid rules. The short version: milk and food for the baby are allowed through, and you can carry more than 100ml of them, but the rules for each type are slightly different, and airports can vary in how they check. This page is a checklist of what to pack and what to expect. Rules change, so check your airport and airline before you travel.

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The things people forget most. Everything else can be bought, borrowed or worked around.

Enough feeds for the whole journey, with spare
Baby milk and food in one easy-to-reach bag
Passports for every child
Medication, with doses
A comfort toy

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Allowed in hand luggage when the baby is travelling with you

Official UK guidance lists these as allowed in hand luggage when the baby is with you, with no set limit on the amount. Take what you need for the journey, plus a little spare for delays.

Formula milk, powder or made up
Cow’s milk and baby soya milk
Sterilised water for the baby’s feeds
Baby food in jars or pouches
Cooling gel packs for keeping milk cold

Breast milk

Breast milk can go in hand luggage, even without your baby. Frozen breast milk can’t be carried in hand luggage. Containers are screened and staff may ask to open them.

Fresh breast milk in clean, sealed containers
A small cool bag with a gel pack
A spare bag in case a container leaks

At the security lane

Say at the start that you have baby milk or food. Staff will direct you to the right place and may ask you to taste or test it.

Milk, water and food in one clear bag you can lift out quickly
Bottles that are easy to open and re-seal
A sterilised dummy or spare teat in a clean bag
Your own hands free: a carrier or sling can be easier than a pushchair here
Boarding passes and passports ready

On the plane

You can ask cabin crew to warm a bottle. They can’t always heat it to the right temperature, so check it before you give it.

Enough feeds for the flight, with spare for delays
Empty bottles, and a way to clean them
Muslins and spare clothes in case of spills
A dummy, sucking or feeding for take-off and landing

Tips

Prepare feeds in the right amounts before you leave, and keep formula powder in a pre-measured container.
Pack baby milk and food in a separate, easy-to-reach bag, not at the bottom of your hand luggage.
Check your departure and arrival airport pages: some have updated scanners and different rules for liquids, and non-UK airports differ.
If you are told something different at the airport, stay calm and ask for a supervisor. Printing the official guidance on your phone can help.

Common questions

Can I take baby formula through security in the UK?

Yes, when the baby is travelling with you. Formula, baby milk, sterilised water and baby food are allowed in hand luggage above the usual 100ml limit. Tell the officer at the start so they can screen it.

Can I take breast milk through UK airport security?

Yes. Fresh breast milk is allowed in hand luggage, even if you are not travelling with your baby. Frozen breast milk is not. Containers may be opened and screened.

How much baby milk can I take?

There is no set limit, but take a sensible amount for the journey plus a little spare. Check with your airport if you are carrying a lot.

Do the same rules apply at airports abroad?

Not always. Rules differ by country and airport, so check where you are flying from and where you are changing planes.

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This is general guidance. Check your airline, destination and your child’s own needs before you travel. Privacy · Terms