Milk for Toddlers on Long Haul Flights?

[MindUtopia]

For those of you who've flown with your toddlers long haul (or long enough for them to need some milk before bed), did you bring it on with you or could you ask for it?

We're flying long haul (11 hours and overnight) in a few months and my daughter still has a cup of milk before bed. She can obviously survive without it, but it definitely settles her and keeps her full through the night, which is definitely what we all need on a long flight. She doesn't drink toddler milks (formula), in fact, she doesn't like it and usually won't drink it if offered, just normal milk. When we travel and need milk on the go (like camping), I usually get these 500 ml UHT milks that don't need refrigeration and use those. I'm assuming though that might be a lot to ask to get through security and onto the plane! We're flying Virgin Atlantic and it says that 'baby milks' are allowed either in powder or cartons and they can be over 100ml and that's no problem. But I just need normal full fat milk and she's not a baby anymore.

Has anyone brought regular milk onto a long haul flight (specifically, Virgin?) or did you just ask them to fill up and heat a cup of milk for you on the plane? I'm happy to ask for it, just seems more of a hassle to call someone over, give them the cup, ask them to microwave it (do they even have microwaves?) so it isn't ice cold, when I could just pour it out of the carton at room temp myself and that would be fine!

 

[loeylo]

Call the airline, they are usually accommodating but I don't think they would let you take it on if it isn't formula as it is available on-board. They don't have microwaves that they could put a cup into I don't think, but they have hot water and could heat it in a water bath.

 

[LoveMyBaby786]

Last time i went long haul i didnt inform them that i would need full fat milk and i was told they only had enough on board for the teas and coffees not extra! So on the way back to the uk i brought the uht cartons and used that. No1 questioned me though but i purchased small cartons and only had 2 or 3 on me

 

[.Mrs.B.]

It depended on the airport for us. Heathrow and Gatwick let us take as much water and milk for the kids as we wanted through security and Luton made me pour it all out.

Once you are through security I believe you can take on what you want and you should be able to buy some milk before boarding.

 

[fxmummyduck]

We flew to Australia when ds was 22 months so we needed lots of milk to keep him settled...we bought some in Boots after we passed through security and then when we ran out on the plane the air stewards would fill it up for me whenever I needed. No idea if it was formula or just full fat milk though, he didn't really care!

 

[SarahBear]

You could probably find some to buy after security and before boarding. Don't know if you can get it through security though - probably not.

 

[broodymrs]

If I remember right we got some in boots after security and used that, then they gave us some on the plane too. I'd call the airline but tbh as it's a completely different routine to normal with being on a plane she'll most likely cat nap and not miss it. We had a night time flight coming home from the US and ds slept better than we did, but I don't think he slept through. Think he actually had a snack when he woke up thinking about it

 

[MindUtopia]

Thanks! I think I'll try bringing a few uht milks through. If they take them, they take them. They cost like 50p so not a big deal. If they do I'll look for milk at Boots. It wouldn't be the worst thing if she didn't have any, but she isn't a big drinker and I want to keep her well hydrated as it's a long flight. Milk is pretty much the one thing I know she'll always drink.

 

[noon_child]

IN large airports there are usually loads of places after security where you can stock up on drinks and other confiscated liquids. It's a fantastic opportunity to make more money after all so I guess they try to stock as much as possible!

 

[zorak]

Buy it after security that's what we did.

 

[sunnydee]

I brought a thermos bottle with me and after security I just went to Starbucks and got a cup of hot milk and poured it into the thermos. It was still nice and warm by the time he drank it on the flight.

 

[MindUtopia]

I think we decided I'll try to bring one carton of UHT milk through security and if they take it, well, it's no big deal. And then I'll also bring an insulated flask and fill it up from one of the shops if I need to (Starbucks is a great idea! Then I don't even need to heat it up!). The problem really with buying it is keeping it a safe temperature. I doubt they have UHT milk in the airport, though maybe I'm wrong. But for an 11 hour flight, I'll probably need it to last about 5+ hours at room temperature. I'm not comfortable just buying milk and leaving it out for 5 hours. Last thing I need is a tummy bug when we're all the way on the other side of the world! But I have a hot/cold flask that I use for coffee and tea for work anyway, so I'll just bring that and top it up with milk I buy in the airport if I need to. That keeps cold liquids cold for 24 hours and hot liquids hot for 12. A bit of an extra hassle to lug so much stuff, but if it saves me chasing down a flight attendant to beg for milk in the middle of the flight, then that's enough for me! Thanks all.

 

[noon_child]

I'll probably need it to last about 5+ hours at room temperature. I'm not comfortable just buying milk and leaving it out for 5 hours. Last thing I need is a tummy bug when we're all the way on the other side of the world! .

Totally understand this (especially when it comes to kids and holidays) but we have milk at work which is left out for 8hrs at room temperature and no-one has ever got sick from it. In a really, really hot summer it can turn by the afternoon, but while this might make you immediately be sick, pasteurised milk which has only just started to spoil is unlikely to contain the type of bacteria/virus that would cause a proper tummy upset. The aeroplane toilet and recycled air is probably more of a concern!! The flask is a great idea though This must be about the only time we can feel grateful that there is a Starbucks every few yards!!