formula on long flights

[Liddsie]

My son is 6 months old and has a lactose intolerance. Due to this he is on perscription milk from the docs. We are travelling to Florida next week and airline are refusing to store any milk in fridge on board plane for us. What should I do?? Also is it acceptable to use boiled water available from the airport to make up formula. Help

take powder
the cabin crew will give you water to make up the bottles

Hmmm we flew 8 hours when dd2 was about 7 months old and had lactose intolerance, just trying to remember what we did. I think we just made up the bottles as we went, eg travelled with dry formula and made up the bottles on the plane. I think we just used normal bottled water. The cabin staff will heat it up for you but be careful because they often over-heat it. I seem to remember we just gave it to her cold.

I am slightly confused - is the perscription millk already made or do you have dry formula?

We do have dry formula but have been told not to use water off the plane as it is continually boiled. Have rang SMA who supply milk and they have said that the powder won't mix correctly in temperatures under 80 degrees

Using water that has been "continally boiled" once or twice on a flight won't be a problem - it's only if you use it all the time that it might be an issue (and even then I haven't seen any evidence of this!). I honestly wouldn't worry for one day - we just used mineral water from a bottle and shook it up, cold. She was fine. We got diverted, ended up in a hotel room in Dubai for 12 hours with no money or facilities and just did what we could. I understand your concerns but people fly with babies all the time. If you are really concerned, speak directly to the airline and outline your worries.

The other thing I have done is use made-up formula from cartons on a flight - but not sure if you can get this for lactose intolerance?

do you always mix it with boiling water then?

Yep fresh water in the kettle and then boil and leave for 20 mins before making up the bottle. Was told should do this to kill bacteria in the powder. Am I just being over protective?

I think these are the "guidelines". I don't think most people do it (we used to make it up with cold water and then pop it into the microwave to heat it up). I wouldn't worry about doing it differently for the flight, honestly.

yes the guidelines are to use water above 70 degrees

however the risks aren't that great and your baby isn't a tiny newborn anymore

The probability of infection is small. The risk, however, is very big as the consequences of infection are severe.

If the powder won't mix below 80 I'd definitely be concerned about that. Can cabin crew give you hot water on the plane (rebooked wouldn't be a huge problem once or twice) and you use the half/half method? So you get half the volume of water hot, mix the powder and then bring down to drinkable temp with preferably cooled boiled (so still syerile) water but in your situation bottled would probably be the best compromise.

Reboiled even.

Can you buy this bag?

Think problem is solved am just going to make up all bot6tles in advance then store in cool bag. Letter about milk from GP will allow it through customs.Am going to buy freeze gel packs to snap and add to bag throughout flight to maintain cold temperature. What do you think?

Check with airline they will allow gel freezer bags onboard.....

Hi It sounds like your prescription milk from dr. is not available in powder form. If that is the case you must bring a cooler insert bag for your baby bag. The airline will let you take as much liquid for baby as you need as long as it LOOKS like the right amount for the trip to the security. I was also able to bring food jars but your child only requires milk. Therefore I would look into a cooler. This is how it is here in the states you will need to check with your airline. Have a nice trip.

double check about the gel packs
they might make you taste the milk - otherwise you should be good

good luck