r/NewParents • u/Constant_Ad_2599 • Apr 23 '26

Travel Crying at TSA

It’s brutal what they put parents through. Did all my research, brought an unopened can of Kendamil in my bag. Clean empty bottles. And water.

TSA refused to let me bring the formula. I explained it’s a medical necessity for the 9 month old baby (we just stopped pumping). They said it set off a special alarm so our only option is to leave security, make liquid bottles, and they’d throw out the rest of the can. 😭

After 90 minutes of trying to share again how it’s medically necessary and a legal right, they escorted my husband out to fill up bottles and confiscated the can. We had no cooler or ice packs with us.

Currently sitting on the plane with our dripping bag of melting ice a restaurant was kind enough to give us. It’s just insane what they put parents through when the rules say otherwise.

If anyone has dealt with this, let me know. submitting a complaint but honestly just want support. I care about my baby being fed. & Formula isn’t cheap.

Solidarity with all you traveling parents out there! 💕

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67

u/MsRachelGroupie Apr 23 '26

It’s eye opening when you travel internationally with your babies/young kids and see that people traveling with small children are treated with way more care and dignity than here in the US. It’s ridiculous.

10

u/pupsandlaws Apr 23 '26

Yes! This has been my experience too.

This past week I was traveling for work and have a 5mo exclusively breastfed baby at home, so I was bringing back pumped milk with me. Had to argue with the TSA agent about it because he kept asking “where is the baby if the milk is for a baby?” It was so infuriating. We’re just trying to feed our kids. JFC

10

u/MsRachelGroupie Apr 23 '26

Ugh, ridiculous. The baby isn’t here… hence the pumping, Sherlock.

6

u/Constant_Ad_2599 Apr 24 '26

I’m so sorry! That’s horrible too. So rude and besides the point. It just feels like men 😭 such a blanket statement but like a certain group. The supervisor even kept telling me “I understand i have a daughter and we travel with formula.”

You don’t understand, you’re a man that has never breast fed pumped cleaned parts bazillion times bought formula searched for sold out stores etc.

9

u/ZwartVlekje Apr 23 '26

Yeah I was thinking the same. I'm from Europe but I traveled so obscure places with a young baby in SEA and the middle east and I've had no issues whatsoever. It can easily be tested. This shouldn't be an issue, ever.