"baby" food on plane?

[GiraffeObsessedBaby]

Need a bit of advice about flying with an 18 month old. We are looking to book for next summer when our son will be 18 months old. We cannot book a meal on the flight for him - to egypt so 9 hours - they have advised us to bring our own food. I know that you can take baby food on a plane but is this purees etc? as at that age he will be eating normal food and worried if i pack food it will be confiscated!

I know this is really early to be worrying but i like to plan in advance lol

You can pack any food just like you would for yourselves in case you're delayed etc. Only liquids are restricted.

Out of consideration I would never take nuts or strong smelling food like tuna/eggs into a confined space.

Bear in mind a lot of aircraft don't have microwaves or facilities to heat things for you do options such as sandwiches/finger food might be easiest.

Ive never seen anyone be allowed to take food through security? My Mum has a number of allergies and she was told to bring her own food for the flight but it was confiscated at security. Is this not right?

Could you go to boots and pick him up a sandwich/packed lunch there? Then just take it on the plane.
Alternatively, I know you can order from Boots click and collect and pick up once you’ve passed through security.

Foods aren’t confiscated by security.

Atm he has a dairy allergy, obviously i am hoping by this time next year to be at least a decent way through the milk ladder which would make it easier. I'm just concerned if he isn't its not going to be so easy to pick something up for him on the other side of security =(

Of course you can take food on the plane. In my experience at 9 months they're pretty open (or pretty fussy depending on personality!) - mine were mostly fed on finger food but happily sucked down puree pouches on planes, they save a lot of mess and hassle. It's only 9 hours, I'd prioritise convenience over a fully balanced diet, so things like rusks or cheesy muffins are easier than carefully made veggie frittata slices that get ground into seats (I speak from painful experience).

Here's the official guidance www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/baby-food-and-baby-milk

As another poster said, you will be able to get food pouches airside of the airport.

I have seen the cabin crew heat up baby food the best they can in hot water. Not sure though it would get hot enough to avoid an upset tummy?

Thanks @namechange128 ive read those guidelines i just wasnt sure as it kept saying "baby" food and obviously at 18 months hes not going to be wanting purees i dont think! I am prepared to sacrifice healthy eating to get us through the flight my main concern is he currently has a dairy allergy which the dietician is hopeful he is going to outgrow but obviously i can't guarantee when so buying in the airport is tricky!

When you took food through security did they ask if it was for the little one? I'm just wondering why my mum and other people i know have had theirs confiscated now!

I’ve taken food through for myself and my daughter no problem at all.

I've flown with food (for me, not kids) loads. As long as there are no liquids you'll be fine. Just avoid yogurt / houmous as it's a bit iffy as to whether that counts as a solid or a liquid. But crisps / sandwiches / fruit etc is absolutely fine.

Some countries won't allow you to take the food in (I'm looking at you , Australia 🇦🇺 ) so if it doesn't get eaten during the flight, you might have to dump it in special amnesty bins on arrival. No idea if this applies where you're going.

Never! Full on snacks and lunch and my kids are much older so no confusion that it could be for a baby.

I just took salami, cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, mango pieces and cheese biscuits through Heathrow security. They pulled it for secondary processing but then were happy for me to keep it. It was all packed in clear plastic resealable bags so was easy to tell what it was.

I would not take yogurt, apple sauce, pureed food or juice as it would almost certainly be taken away. You can buy some bits once you are through security from Boots etc.

The only other tricky thing is cold packs as the gel ones have been confiscated off me before. I would take frozen peas next time as a cool pack and then just bin them after the trip.

If he’s still dairy free then I would order yourself the dairy free meal and give DC that - and bring yourself something purchased from the airport once you’re through security :)

This is so weird, i am really confused as to why people's have been confiscated =/

Thank you for your help everyone! Its really reassured me!

Hi OP, are you in the UK? We flew this morning with a 13month old and an almost 4 year old from Gatwick. We had no problems and were carrying a carrier bag worth of various food as DS1 is being investigated for possible diabetes and DS2 has a lactose and cows milk allergy. We had Sainsbury’s puree pouches, rice cakes, blueberries and baby biscotti. We also had 1bottle of formula we had made at home and a couple of aptamil milks. They asked if we were willing to have the milk tested but were really friendly and helpful.

If it helps, flights to Egypt are less than six hours, so less time to worry about.

Unless you're going indirect, in which case you need to think about the airport you're travelling through too.

Hi, yeah its manchester i know people have repeatedly had food taken off them - none of which were travelling with kids but all had allergies so needed their own food. I know formula is definitely allowed but i was just a bit cautious as it kept saying "baby" food and its hard enough getting him to eat anything puree like now at 7.5 months!

I few a few weeks ago to Italy, you can take food definitely, I took a baby pouch which was just tested... but my mum had a banana and was fine with that... I have seen people taking it as well... I think it's just liquids but with a baby you're fine with taking milk again they just test it

If they will warm up 'baby food' have you looked at either Hipp toddler meals or Kirsty's minis? Both do dairy free options, are aimed at older children but because they are sealed and pre packed are maybe less likely to be confiscated.

We fly from Manchester several times a year for many years and almost always take sandwiches with us. We have never had food taken off us or even been questioned about it so I find it strange that you know so many people who have. I know there was a period when you couldn't quite a few years ago (possibly foot and mouth related?) but that was short lived

I was a cabin crew for almost 10 years and in my current job I travel through Manchester airport on a monthly basis at least. I have NEVER had food taken off me, and I ALWAYS take my own food as I would never eat aircraft food voluntarily.

Things I'd usually take include veggie sticks, fruit, crisps, homemade baked goods, pasta/rice salads, sandwiches. I also usually carry cheese, pâté, potato cakes, chocolate croissants/crepes, bread, olives, olive oil amongst many other things for friends in my old home country when I visit and for us when I return.

Most of my close relatives are diabetic and accordingly would always have food with them in case of delayed flights and sometimes simply because food on board might be served at a later time than they need. No one has ever had this challenged and honestly it's simply good sense to take something in case it's needed or you don't like the available options on board as contrary to some people's beliefs an aircraft is not a source of never ending culinary options!

Not sure why people you know would have had food taken off them at the airport, it seems very unusual.

My mum went to St Lucia two years ago. She took bread, cheese and a few other gluten free snacks. Nothing which could be construed as "liquid". They had the print out from the airline an email saying she could bring it on board as they were not able to cater for her needs but the security guard told her in no way could she take it through. He was really horrible to her. My cousin is also diabetic and she was stopped from taking snacks through. Sealed cereal bars. There's a few others but I can't remember them all off the top of my head!

Good to know that it's not supposed to be happening!

Ooh @HippyChickMama thank you I had forgotten about them! Will have a look

Are you sure it’s 9 hours OP 😳 He could eat beforehand, then have milk/banana/biscuits on the plane.

I’ve taken packed lunches when I’ve on airlines that don’t provide food for free! Wrapped sandwiches/fruit etc

The food thing you recount is totally counter to anything I've ever experienced. It is liquids that are prohibited (inc. wet baby foods in jars), not cereal bars. If you trying to take raw meat or something, then yes, that would be confiscated, as would opened alcohol and, to some destinations like Australia, fruit and veg. But gluten free bread and biscuits? I've taken entire picnics on board for four people on many, many occasions and never had an issue. Just buy food in the airport if you're worried, but you'll be fine.