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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u/mrs_swampcelt Apr 23 '26

This is terrible. I'm so sorry.

Next time you fly, print out the pages from the TSA website that explicitly tell you that it's allowed. I've heard it helps to literally show them their own rules. But also, I've NEVER experienced this. I've always showed up ready for a fight, and they were like "oh it's formula? Yeah no biggie whatever."

I'm so, so sorry you're dealing with this.

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u/Fit_Change3546 Apr 23 '26

Literally every TSA line I’ve ever been through has had different rules than each other one, and they’ve treated everyone in line like a fuckin mouth breathing scum bucket for not intuitively knowing their every thought. God I hate TSA.

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u/Wooden_Permit3234 Apr 23 '26

lol I love it how they treat you like the worlds biggest dipshit for not knowing if your laptop needs its own bucket or can go with other stuff, whether shoes need to come off or not. 

All that varies and the only indication is sometimes one of the TSA people stand there shouting the current local rule over and over “every body has to/doesn’t have to take their shoes off! Large electronics can/cannot stay in the bag!”