Flying with your baby for the first time is exciting – and a little nerve-racking. One of the most common questions from new parents is: how do I take baby food on a plane properly, what is allowed at security and how do I warm the bottle above the clouds? In this guide you will find a relaxed step-by-step checklist so that mealtime on the go goes just as smoothly as at home.
By Lena Sommer, travel and mum blogger
What you need to know about airport security
The good news first: at security, baby food is treated as an exception to the 100 ml liquids rule. You may carry breast milk, expressed milk, ready-made infant formula and purée in a quantity that is "reasonable" for the journey – in other words, as much as your baby is likely to need during the flight and the waiting times.
- Separate the baby food from the rest of your hand luggage at the checkpoint and place it on the belt separately.
- Actively tell the security staff that you have baby food with you.
- Containers may be opened or briefly tested – this is normal.
- Boiled water for preparing first infant formula is usually allowed too, but check this with your airline beforehand.
Always plan a little more than you calculate you need – delays on the ground are part of travelling.
How much baby food is allowed?
In the EU there is generally no fixed upper limit in millilitres for baby food, as long as the quantity matches the needs of the journey. In practice, this means:
- Short haul (1–2 hrs): 1–2 prepared meals plus a reserve.
- Medium haul (3–5 hrs): 2–3 meals plus a buffer for delays.
- Long haul: pre-portioning powder and preparing it fresh with boiled water is often more practical than many ready-made bottles.
When travelling to Austria or within the EU, the same generous rules for baby food apply. Still, take a quick look at the guidance of your specific airline, as there may be small differences.
Warming the bottle during the flight
On board, you can ask the crew to give you warm water for a water bath. That works, but it is unreliable: the temperature varies, warming takes time, and during turbulent phases the crew is busy. As everyone knows, babies are sensitive to waiting while hungry.
A battery-powered bottle warmer that works without a power socket is much more relaxed. It warms breast milk or ready-made formula evenly to the recommended 37 °C in around 2 minutes – regardless of whether you are sitting at the gate, on the plane or in the car to the hotel. Important: baby food should never be heated above 40 °C so that valuable ingredients are preserved, and it should only be warmed once.
Our cordless bottle warmer PRO3 was developed precisely for situations like these: compact, with a battery for several meals and precise 37 °C control. This way your baby's routine stays familiar even above the clouds.
How to do it on board
- Prepare the bottle and store it cool in an insulated bag.
- Start the battery warmer about 5 minutes before the feed.
- Before feeding, put a few drops on your wrist – it should be lukewarm, not hot.
- Throw away any leftovers that have not been drunk after the meal.
A practical emergency bag
A well-packed changing bag saves every flight. These things belong within easy reach in your hand luggage:
- Prepared bottles or pre-portioned milk powder in dispensing containers
- Boiled, cooled water in a leak-proof bottle
- Battery-powered bottle warmer (fully charge before the flight)
- Several clean teats and a spare bottle
- Bibs, wet wipes and a small rubbish bag
- A change of clothes for baby – and a top for you
Battery warmer without a socket on the plane
On a plane there is rarely an accessible power socket at your seat, and 12 V connections like in the car are missing entirely. That is exactly why a battery-operated warmer is the most reliable solution: you do not depend on the crew and can also feed during a layover, on the train to the airport or in the waiting area. Fully charge the device the evening before and it will last for several meals throughout the whole journey.
Tip for equalising pressure: let your baby drink or suck on a dummy during take-off and landing – swallowing helps against the pressure on those little ears. A warm bottle at the right moment makes the flight calmer for everyone.
Planning a relaxed flight with your baby
Besides food, a few preparations make the flight calmer for everyone. If possible, reserve a seat or a bassinet with the airline early, pack a compact snack for yourself too and allow enough buffer time for security. A calm, familiar routine helps your baby get used to the unfamiliar surroundings. If meals go just like at home – with the same bottle and the same temperature of 37 °C – a lot stays familiar for your baby, even when everything around is new. This is exactly where a reliable, cordless warmer pays off, delivering the same warmth from the living room to the seat on the plane.
FAQ
Can I take breast milk and baby food on the plane?
Yes. Breast milk, expressed milk, ready-made infant formula and purée are exempt from the 100 ml liquids rule, as long as the quantity matches the needs of the journey. Actively declare the baby food at security and place it on the belt separately.
How much baby food can I take with me?
There is generally no fixed millilitre limit, as long as the quantity corresponds to the needs of the journey. It is better to plan a little more than you calculate you need, to cushion delays.
How do I warm the bottle during the flight?
You can ask the crew for warm water for a water bath, but the temperature there varies. A battery-powered bottle warmer is more reliable, warming evenly to 37 °C in around 2 minutes without a socket. Never heat baby food above 40 °C and only warm it once.
Does a battery-powered bottle warmer work on a plane without a socket?
Yes, that is exactly what it is designed for. Since there is usually no socket available at your seat, fully charge the warmer before the flight. One charge is enough for several meals throughout the whole journey.
What helps my baby with the pressure on their ears?
Let your baby drink or suck on a dummy during take-off and landing. Swallowing equalises the pressure and makes the flight more comfortable.