USA members - does the brand Apitmal exist in America?

[eldar]

I'm flying to the USA in August and our little one is fed Aptimal - can you tell me if the brand is sold in America?

Also, does anyone know if I can pack powered formula or cartons in my main flight luggage - the suitcase for the hold. I know I can take on board the milk and food she needs for the flight but I can't take this into the US past immigration - so I will need milk and food in my main suitcase for her for the other side (and in powdered form for possibly the whole holiday)

just trying to get myself prepared!

 

[dragondrums]

Hi, I have never seen nor heard of this brand of formula in the USA. I searched around a bit and found that you are allowed to take "enough baby food for the flight" and that you have to show it to security staff along with your baby. Here is one of the sites I found (https://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/flying-with-baby-food-and-milk.html). Hope this helps and that you have a wonderful trip

 

[eldar]

thanks for the reply, most helpful.

hmmmm I do hope I am allowed to pack her formula in my check in suitcase then if I can't buy it in the states. Enough for the flight is fine but what to feed her while on the holiday? I don't want to switch to an unknown brand just for the two weeks I'm there!

What are the main formula brands in the USA?

 

[Vickie]

When we went to the States we packed powdered formula in her carry on and in our suitcase with no problems.

 

[eldar]

thats good news, although it's a shame that most of my luggage weight will be boxes of formula! We are going for two weeks and she will only be 7 months old and not fully weaned at all (I'm planning BLW )

I was really hoping Aptimel was sold in the states, would make life easier!

 

[mommy2baby2]

We don't sell that brand here but there are many formulas that are probably very similar (if not the same, just different packaging & marketing).

You are allowed to bring formula on the plane. As much as you want actually. The only issue is when you go through the screening area. I've gone through with 2 full mixed bottles before and nothing was said. And I always carry a can of powder with me in my carry on. The only time I had an issue was when I had just plain water in the bottle. I had to mix it in order for that water to be cleared.

Depending on how you make your formula (hot or cold), you can get water just about anywhere inside the terminals. Don't get hot water from inside the actual airplane though. Was told that water is usually nasty unless it's gone through the coffee pot.

I usually get our hot water at a Starbucks or Cafe and mix it with some cold to make it nice and warm for her.

I was able to bring our formula & food when we travelled internationally. The US immigration prob won't be too strict either since it's for a baby

 

[eldar]

cheers for the advice

I'm all fine for the flight out as I can bring all I need from home - it's the 14 day holiday and the flight home that will be a nightmare, as I am going to have to pack and take enough formula to last all this time! Each powder carton weighs almost a kilo and we will need up to 4 maybe of them? Thats before we think about packing some ready made cartons as well.

Just a shame that aptimal isn't sold in the states so I can't buy it over there, I will have to take all the formula she needs for two weeks with us!

What brands are sold over there? It may be worth seeing if she will do a switch to a brand we can buy over there rather than take it all with us?

 

[vegasbaby]

If you are staying with family in the states perhaps you could ship the formula ahead of time so you won't have pack it in your luggage. If you are staying at a hotel and you let them know you are sending a package then you could send the formula to the hotel. Much easier to store it in your hotel room than to pack it in your luggage. Of course you will still need some formula for the flight, but a lot less than if you pack all for the holiday. Just a thought.

 

[eldar]

yeah I thought of that too, I even found a website that delivers British food abroad including baby food. My fear is that it wouldn't be there when we got to the hotel!

Although I flagged the website as a possible emergency measure should we be in a situation where we loose our luggage or something - for an emergency order delivered overnight to one of our hotels on the trip!

Looks like I'm packing a few tubs, not a problem - I just would have preferred to use the pre-made cartons while away as they are so much easier when out and about. I'll take a flask too so I can measure out the power and take boiled water out with us each day.

 

[Clarissa]

Hello, I have never seen that brand sold here. We have Enfamil and Similac which are the two most popular and also Good Start by Gerber.

 

[eldar]

Thanks Clarissa, that really helps to know the brand names, for furture research if companies and simular brands to aptimal - just incase we end up needing to buy formula while we are in America.

I think that we are going to pack more than enough for the whole trip in the powdered form and make it up as we go along each day. It's just a shame that it means that I can't get ready made cartons as this would have been much easier! - the biggest problem to being on holiday in a hotel room is that I can't make up a days worth and store them in the fridge, I think by this point I will be taking out boiled water in bottles and adding the powder when we need to feed her, rather than making them up and storing them cool.

Cheers all for the replies!