Taking baby food to US - rules?

[Jenbobbbs]

I’m starting to plan an impromptu trip to New York with my baby who will be 7 months when we travel next month. We’ve only just started weaning and though he’s taking to it well, I’m not sure where he’ll be up to. I am assuming I’ll need lots of pouches ans it’ll still need to be puree and I don’t really want to buy these in the USA as I’d rather be more in control and don’t particularly like pouches here! Will I be allowed to take them in my checked bags and will I have to declare them if I do? I’ve looked online but all the guidance is about hand luggage. I don’t want my bags ripped open and searched like on Nothing to Declare 🤣

Also any general advice for NY with a baby gratefully received. He’s pretty chilled so not overly concerned apart from maybe Jet lag!

Yes on the baby pouches. I took a case full for a two month holiday with a 6 month old. They are readily available in Whole Foods so you could pick them up there. We brought ours as part of our trip was to Mexico and it was much cheaper to buy them in Asda!

Commercial baby food is sterile and sealed so doesn't present a risk to US agriculture so is allowed in.
I used to take long life UHT milk to make sure my son could have his bedtime and morning milk before we'd tracked down a supermarket.
I would however always declare it on the customs form. They will confirm it is baby food and stamp the form.

We took DS to NY at well under a year. I remember finding lots of little playgrounds with swings which he loved.
I carried him in a sling to save dealing with a pushchair while sight seeing.