Usually our trips to the airport are pretty standard. I have my ziplock bag of liquids under 3 oz. and we just make our way through the security checkpoint without anything interesting happening. I usually bring an empty sippy cup and Tang to mix with water from a drinking fountain inside the terminal so that my toddler has something to drink while the plane takes off to prevent his ears from popping. I breastfed my son when he was a baby, so I never had to worry about bringing formula.

On our way home from San Diego, I happened to have some juice in a sippy cup when we went through the security checkpoint. I had totally forgotten about it in the crazy trip to the airport. So, when the security officer picked up the sippy cup and asked if I had any liquids he should know about, I told him I had forgotten about the juice and he could just dump it out if he wanted. Well, he looked at me like I was totally crazy for thinking they would just dump something I might be trying to make a bomb with.

So after we got our shoes back on and all that, we were whisked away to the side, where they performed all sorts of crazy tests on this little yellow sippy cup half full of apple juice. I couldn’t help finding it a bit humorous, although I don’t mind all the security procedures since they help keep us safe. The juice came back clean and off we went. It only took a few extra minutes, but make sure you don’t have any extra liquids if you’re running late!

If you do want to take some formula, milk or juice for your children, here’s what you need to know:

•  You can bring over 3 oz. of baby formula, breast milk or juice through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities.

• Breastfeeding mothers can bring breast milk even if traveling without their child.

• Separate these exceptions from the liquids in your quart-size ziplock.

• Look for the family/medical liquids lane. We always use this lane anyway, since no one behind us gets all anxious while I’m folding up the stroller and all that. It actually seems to go just as fast as the other lanes anyway.

• Declare to the security officer at the checkpoint that you have the item(s).

• Your extra liquids will undergo special screening, which should only take a few minutes.

• You or your child will not have to taste the liquid to prove it’s safe.

For more information, visit the TSA webpage about traveling with kids.