Can You Take Baby Formula on a Plane? A UK Guide for Parents
Flying with a baby can feel like a military operation. Between nappies, bottles, spare clothes and trying to keep your little one settled, the last thing you need is uncertainty about whether you can take enough formula through airport security.
The good news is that baby milk, formula, sterilised water and baby food are exempt from the usual liquid restrictions when travelling with a baby from a UK airport. You can take enough for your journey in your hand luggage, although it's always worth checking the specific requirements of your departure airport before you travel.
Here's what you need to know before heading to the airport, plus some practical tips for making feeding your baby easier while you're in the air.
Can you take baby formula through UK airport security?
Yes. When you're travelling with a baby, you can take baby milk, formula and sterilised water through security in your hand luggage.
Unlike the standard liquid rules, baby milk and baby food can be carried in containers larger than 100ml. GOV.UK currently states that containers of baby milk or baby food can be up to 2 litres when passing through security. You are also allowed to carry enough baby food, milk and sterilised water for your journey, with no specific legal quantity limit.
This can include:
- Powdered infant formula
- Prepared formula
- Sterilised water for making formula
- Breast milk
- Baby food and purées
- Cooling gel packs
- Ice packs
Breast milk can also be carried in hand luggage even if you're not travelling with your baby, although frozen breast milk cannot normally be carried in hand luggage.
Does the 100ml rule apply to baby formula?
The standard UK liquid rules generally restrict liquids in containers larger than 100ml, although the exact procedures can vary between airports. Baby milk and baby food are specifically exempt, meaning you can take larger quantities through security when travelling with a baby.
However, security staff will still need to screen these items. You may be asked to remove bottles or containers from your hand luggage, and airport staff may need to open them as part of the screening process.
Because airport security procedures can differ, check the latest guidance for the airport you're departing from before you travel.
How much formula can you take on a plane?
There is no specific legal limit on how much baby milk or sterilised water you can take for your journey when travelling with a baby from a UK airport. GOV.UK advises taking enough for the journey, while checking with your airport before travelling.
Think about everything you may need, including:
- Your expected flight time
- Time spent at the airport
- Potential delays
- Connecting flights
- Extra feeds in case your journey takes longer than planned
It's better to have a little more than you expect to need than to find yourself short of formula during a delay.
For longer trips, you may prefer to keep larger quantities in your checked luggage and take what you'll need during the journey in your hand luggage.
How to get through airport security with a baby
A little preparation can make the security process much less stressful.
1. Keep feeding essentials easy to reach
Pack your formula, bottles, sterilised water and other feeding essentials somewhere accessible in your hand luggage.
You may need to take these items out separately, so avoid burying them underneath clothes and nappies.
2. Tell security staff what you're carrying
Let the security team know that you have baby milk, formula or sterilised water with you.
They will tell you what needs to be removed from your bag and how it should be presented for screening.
3. Be prepared for additional screening
Baby milk and food still need to go through security screening. Airport staff may inspect containers or open them as part of the process.
This is completely normal, so allow a little extra time when travelling with your baby.
4. Check your departure airport before you leave
UK airports do not all have identical security procedures. Some airports have introduced newer security scanners, while others still operate different liquid screening processes. GOV.UK recommends checking the rules for the airport you're flying from before travelling.
Also check any airports you'll pass through on a connecting journey, as their requirements may be different.
What's the easiest way to prepare formula while travelling?
If you're using powdered formula, one of the easiest approaches is to keep your formula powder and water separate until you're ready to make a feed.
You can:
- Pre-measure your formula powder into a clean, dry dispenser.
- Carry sterilised water separately.
- Use a clean, sterilised bottle for each feed.
- Prepare the feed when your baby is ready to drink.
For powdered formula, follow the preparation instructions provided by your formula manufacturer and NHS guidance.
If you're travelling with a prepared feed, make sure you follow appropriate storage and temperature guidance rather than keeping formula warm for hours at a time. Our travel warmer range is thoughtfully designed to keep baby’s feeds warm, water ready and parenting a little easier, wherever the day takes you.
Flying with expressed breast milk
Expressed breast milk can also be carried through UK airport security.
GOV.UK states that breast milk can be carried in hand luggage in containers of up to 2 litres each, and each container will need to be screened. Airport staff may need to open the container as part of the security process.
One important point: frozen breast milk cannot normally be carried in hand luggage. If you're travelling with chilled milk, cooling gel packs and ice packs are permitted when travelling with a baby.
If you're planning to travel with expressed milk, it's worth checking your airline and departure airport's latest guidance before you fly.
What should you pack in your hand luggage?
Having a dedicated feeding section in your cabin bag can make life much easier.
Consider packing:
- Pre-measured formula powder
- Sterilised bottles
- Sterilised water
- Breast milk, if required
- Cooling or ice packs for chilled milk
- A portable bottle warmer
- Bottle cleaning supplies
- Baby food or purées if your baby has started solids
- Reusable food pouches
- Bibs and muslin cloths
- Plenty of nappies and wipes
- A spare outfit for your baby
- A spare top for yourself — because accidents always seem to happen at the worst possible moment!
Can you take a bottle warmer on a plane?
A portable bottle warmer can be useful when travelling with a baby, particularly once you've passed through security or when you're at your destination.
Whether you can use it during the flight depends on the specific device and airline. Some airlines may have restrictions on using electrical or battery-powered devices during certain parts of the flight.
If you plan to use a bottle warmer onboard, check with your airline before travelling rather than assuming it will be permitted.
What happens on your return flight?
This is an important one for international travel.
The rules described above apply to UK airports. If you're flying home from another country, you'll need to check that country's airport security requirements.
The same applies if you're travelling through another airport during a connecting flight. Liquid restrictions and procedures can vary between countries and airports.
Checking before you leave can save you a lot of stress when you're travelling with a hungry baby.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take baby formula through airport security in the UK?
Yes. When travelling with a baby, you can take enough baby milk and formula for your journey through UK airport security. Baby milk is exempt from the standard 100ml liquid restriction, although it will still need to be screened.
How much formula can I take on a plane?
There is no specific legal quantity limit for baby milk when travelling from a UK airport with a baby. You can take enough for your journey, but check your departure airport's requirements before travelling.
Can I take bottles larger than 100ml?
Yes. Baby milk and baby food can be carried in containers of up to 2 litres through UK airport security.
Can I take sterilised water through airport security?
Yes. Sterilised water for your baby is permitted in hand luggage when travelling with a baby.
Can I take expressed breast milk on a plane?
Yes. Breast milk can be carried in hand luggage, including when you're not travelling with your baby. Individual containers can hold up to 2 litres, although frozen breast milk cannot normally be carried in hand luggage.
Can I take baby food through security?
Yes. Baby food is exempt from the standard liquid restrictions when you're travelling with a baby.
Will airport security open my baby's bottles?
They may. Baby milk and other liquids may need additional screening, and airport staff may open containers to inspect them.
Do the same rules apply at every UK airport?
Not necessarily. Liquid screening procedures can vary between airports, so always check the latest guidance for your departure airport before travelling.
Make travelling with your baby a little easier
Flying with a baby will probably never be completely stress-free, but having your feeding essentials organised can make a big difference.
Keep your formula, bottles, water and other feeding supplies easy to reach, allow extra time at security and check the airport's latest requirements before you leave.
With a little preparation, you can spend less time worrying about airport security and more time focusing on getting your little one settled and enjoying the journey.
Planning your next trip? Explore our range of travel-friendly feeding essentials, including portable bottle warmers, flasks and reusable food pouches, designed to make feeding on the go a little easier.
