In a flap about making bottles abroad!

[Bunny2607]

Hi all
hoping someone can help me!
my baby is almost 4 months and we are going abroad next week. She has cows milk allergy so is on prescription formula. I can’t therefore make bottles in advance (once made a bottle only stays fresh for 20mins then goes off) and I can’t buy it ready made in boots in the airport for example.
the airline have told me I can’t take any water through security, at home we boil fresh water each morning then let it cool and use this to top her bottles up as she needs them so they are always at perfect temperature and ready to drink. she’s on 5oz bottles so
would take a while to cool down if i made it all fresh with boiling water in the airport. I’m hoping we have enough time so that after security i can get some boiling water and let it cool down but if we are rushing would i be ok to use bottled water as a one off? I know you’re not meant to but I don’t understand how else i can do it. Its just complicated because she is on prescription formula.
also when we are abroad how do i make
bottles? Do i buy bottled water and then boil it the same way we do at
home? Will this
make her poorly because of the sodium content?
any advice or experiences greatly appreciated as my head is spinning right now 🤪🤪thank you!

I think an exception can be made at security for baby bottles but you will have to open each one and taste it to prove it’s nothing dangerous. I had to do this for my twins years ago for a long haul flight. Took ages!

Yes you'd make it up with boiled bottled water when abroad. Use one with the lowest sodium content you can find.

www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding#:~:text=if%20travelling%20with%20your%20baby,the%20airport%20before%20you%20travel

From that link:

bottled water may contain too much salt (sodium) or sulphate. If using bottled water to make up a feed, check the label to make sure the sodium (also written as Na) level is less than 200 milligrams (mg) per litre, and the sulphate (also written as SO or SO4) content is not higher than 250mg per litre

My son had prescription milk. We used bottled water on holiday abroad, just make sure it's a low sodium one, there are plenty (evian is one) just look for the little symbol on the bottle.

We also used disposable sterilised bottles. Our airline gave us extra luggage allowance for his milk too as it was medical need.

You should be able to take enough for your journey through airport security: www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/baby-food-and-baby-milk

I recently travelled with breast milk and they didn’t need to open it. They have a machine they put it in to test without opening it, I’ve no idea how it works.

I’m not sure about making bottles abroad. I’d have thought boiled water from the kettle should be ok. Maybe call your health visitor to check?

I used nutrigen for my first baby. We took two flasks on flights - one boiling water, one cooled boiling and used a mix to make bottles. I think the formula must have required boiling water or maybe my little one liked warm bottles but it was 4 years ago so my memory is hazy. Anyway, no issue with security in any airport, they just swabbed across the top of the flask. Bring lots of extra bottles/formula in case of delays.

i used bottled water at the destination and you can also get distilled water which I think is more like cool boiled from memory.

Great thank you everyone!
i didn’t know they could check what was in the flask with their technology to make sure its not dodgy. We fly on Monday next week So i think i’m going to take boiling water and cooled boiled in two flasks and see if they take it off me. I might also make a bottle up right before we go through security so i have one, it will only last 20 mins but it might bridge the gap if she starts kicking off for milk 🤣

I went through security last week with formula bottles and also had cold boiled water in my babies sippy cup. They put in all in their machine to test it and there was no issues. Just have it out of your luggage on the tray going through security.

@shivawn ah thank you! When you say they put it in their machine did they literally put the flask and the sippy cup in or did they pour the water into something? Sorry if i’m being dumb 🤣

No problem! They just put everything in the machine as it was. I had a sippy cup of water and 4 of those small ready to drink aptimal formula bottles. They didn't open anything.

Absolutely fine to take through.
Security just asked me to clarify it was for the baby and didn't put in the machine 🙈

oh thats good then, think i’m just gunna risk it and try take it through and hope it will be ok as it will make life alot easier!

I know you’re using prescription formula but most companies make cartons of pre made that you can just pour in when needed- I used to use that when on holiday abroad.

on another note, several midwives recommended pre made whenever constipation was an issue as there is an ingredient used to preserve it that counteracts constipation apparently.

@Jamboree01 i know and they are so easy, we used to use the cartons of ready made before she went on prescription formula just because it was easy. She has a cows milk allergy now though so its abit more tricky, sods law as i thought it would be fairly easy going abroad with a baby 😂

Just an update for anyone who may find this thread in the future. I took a flask of boiling water and a flask of cooled boiled, they did additional checks at security But i was able to bring it through.

And to make your bottles whilst away, you can just boil the water as you would at home

How do you think people in foreign countries make bottles for their kids? 😂What country are you going to? Maybe someone on here can suggest a brand. Internationally Evian is a good one for baby bottles.

I have no idea thats why i’m asking 🤷🏻‍♀️ it doesn’t help that my baby has a cows milk protein allergy so she can’t have normal formula nor can it be made in advance. I’ve actually found a brand since we got here with a baby bottle logo on to show that its safe for use with babies.