Parents of young children can now travel with greater confidence after President Barack Obama signed the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act into law last month.
The legislation directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to accommodate parents and caregivers carrying breast milk, infant formula, bottles and related feeding equipment. Before this change, parents sometimes were forced to discard more than three ounces of breast milk at security checkpoints, despite existing TSA guidance that allowed such items.
Introduced by U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) and Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), the law aims to standardize and clarify TSA screening procedures so families experience consistent, respectful treatment while traveling.
“Too many parents have dealt with the TSA’s harassment-like treatment for carrying infant food and breast milk through airport security — even though this is allowed under TSA’s own guidelines. With the president signing my bill into law today, we will make it easier for families to travel with the supplies and food they need,” Beutler said in a statement. “The BABES Act will ensure that TSA agents are trained to provide families traveling with breast milk with reasonable, consistent treatment, and that the agency maintains this priority in the future for new hires and retraining activities.”
Under the new law, TSA officers must receive specific training on how to screen breast milk, formula and infant feeding equipment. The requirement is intended to reduce confusion at checkpoints and prevent unnecessary disposal of essential feeding supplies. By codifying training and procedural expectations, the law seeks to create a more predictable and supportive travel experience for parents and caregivers.
For families, the change means clearer guidelines and protections when passing through security. Parents can pack an adequate supply of milk and formula without fear of automatic disposal, and can expect officers to follow consistent screening practices. The law also emphasizes the importance of ongoing training so that new and existing TSA personnel remain up to date on appropriate screening methods.
Overall, the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act represents a practical step toward making air travel more manageable for families with infants and young children, reinforcing that essential feeding supplies should be treated with care and common sense during security screening.