Questions re: flying with a toddler

We're flying out of JFK to San Diego soon. Since it's a long flight, I'd like to be able to take whole milk with me for DS. I'm not sure if I can buy whole milk at the airport or if Jet Blue even carries whole milk. Has anyone been able to bring a sippy cup of milk with them to the airport? What about water? Do you have to just buy bottled water at the airport?

Can I take a cooler with an ice pack in my carry on bag in order to keep milk cool? My mom mentioned that my grandmother had an issue with bringing an ice pack onto the plane. I'm not sure if they'll be more lenient with a toddler.

What kind of snacks did you bring? Did you take small individually packaged snacks, sealed boxes of snacks or snack cups?

If you brought your car seat onto the plane, how much of a PITA was it to lug around the airport? I'm getting nervous about the amount of stuff we're bringing and how to manage everything along with DS.

TIA for your help.

Re: Questions re: flying with a toddler

we just came back from FL on saturday and yes you can bring whatever you need for your child - milk, juice, food, etc. They did test DD's milk in the airport in FL (not in JFK though) - they ask you to open the bottle/cup, etc....and they have an istrument that detects the vapors coming from the liquid. No big deal.

As fasr as food goes - we brought a banana, yogurt, and some crackers.

Did not bring a carseat, so I am no help there...

you can go to tsa.org to see what you are allowed to birng on the plane - as far as kids go, they are allowed whatever they need.

Re: Questions re: flying with a toddler

They have never given us a problem with stuff for Kaydyn. We've had full bottles, empty bottles, cups of water, milk juice. The only time they gave us a problem was when I had a poland spring bottle of water and they asked us to throw it out and we had to buy another one once we were passed security.

We always bring her car seat. We usually put the shade down on her stroller and put the car seat on top of it. Or we hold it by the straps on our shoulder.

We've never brought an ice pack so I'm not sure about that. We usually bring sandwich bags of snacks (goldfish, crackers, puffs) and then maybe 100 calorie snack packs and granola bars.

When she was little we would put them in the little take and toss cups so stuff wouldn't get crushed.

Re: Questions re: flying with a toddler

I have flown with DS a few times and I find the airlines to be very accomodating with toddlers...we were able to bring bottles and a sippy on the plane, and any food we wanted as well.

Re: Questions re: flying with a toddler

We had no problem bringing milk/formula/food onto the plane. As a previous poster noted, they have a testing device they can hold over the liquid in the cup to make sure there are no vapors coming off of it....though we NEVER had that in JFK - only on the way home!! (so just leave yourselves a little extra time)

As for the car seat, DD flew at 5 months and 10 months, and13 months we did NOT bring it. When we flew at 18 months and at 26 months, we took it on board...I'll be honest, it was a PITA dragging it through the airport, along with the stroller, my carry on, etc.....Now, as DD has gotten older, we don't bring it....and it's much easier....but DD PREFERS to have her "own seat" anyway.....so I guess it's up to you and what your DC will be happier with....

Message edited 7/6/2010 2:20:22 PM.

Re: Questions re: flying with a toddler

im going to California in august with DS who will be almost 2 and i had a lot of the same questions as you. We are also taking Jet blue. we got him a seat but im going back and forth about having him sit in his car seat or not. I wonder which will be more comfortable for him. If you go before august..let me know how your trip is