We have done a lot of blog posts and podcast episodes about flying with a baby. But today we are going to be talking about how to get through security/TSA with a baby. There are so many things you have to do and a few things that are different when you’re with a baby. So we are going to be sharing some of our best tips and tricks to help make a stressful part of traveling much easier!

What to Expect:

When you are going through the security line at the airport, there are a few things that you should expect if you’re going through with a baby.

Expect it to take Longer

Going through security with a baby just takes longer than if you’re going through by yourself or with older kids. There are more things to send through the x-ray and there are more things you need to pull out of your bags. Then at the end of security, it takes more time to get your stuff back together. So just plan on it taking longer than usual, especially the first time you’re going through.

Stroller and Car Seats

Be prepared to send you stroller and car seat (if you’re not checking it) through the X-Ray machine. If they are too big to fit, they will need to be hand checked and it can take more time.

Walking THrough Security

If you’re traveling with a baby (or even if you’re a family traveling with young children), you will not need to go through the regular full body scanners. Instead TSA will have you go through a metal detector. In our experience, they will have the whole family go through the metal detector one at a time. We like to send one of the adults through first, followed by the kids, and then the other adult at the end to make sure everyone gets through. You will just need to carry your baby in your arms or in a baby carrier (that doesn’t have metal) as you go through.

Shoes Off For Parents

As you’re going through security (unless you have TSA Precheck), adults will need to remove their shoes. Usually younger children do not need to remove their shoes and babies do not.

Tips for TSA With a Baby:

Separate Milk and Food From Your Bags

Something that makes getting through TSA a little easier is to make sure you pull out any breastmilk, bottles, formula, snacks, or other food and put it all in its own separate bin. TSA will need to check it and it makes it easier to just check the food items in a bin instead of having them check the entire diaper bag when all they actually need to check is the formula.

We have never had any trouble bringing through bottles filled with water or an insulated water bottle with warm water for bottles. TSA just will check each individual bottle or water bottle that has liquid in it. They also often check our formula, especially if we are bringing an entire canister of it instead of just our formula dispensers.

Wear the Baby

Wearing your baby as you go through security is a great idea if you have a baby carrier and your baby is used to it. By wearing your baby, you have two hands to get yourselves through security. It also allows the stroller (If you’re bringing one) to be used as a luggage carrier or for older children. I have also been able to wear my baby in the carrier as our family goes through the metal detector which also makes it easier when you’re trying to quickly get to your stuff at the end of the conveyor belt.

Nice People

People are usually nice and pretty understanding. In all of our travels with babies, I don’t think we have ever had a completely terrible experience getting through security. Yes, there are going to be people who hare happier and nicer than others, but generally I would say when people (both passengers and TSA agents) see us with our kids coming through, they are very understanding that it takes more time for people like us to get through. And most likely they will try to help you as much as they can.