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Air travel is anxiety-inducing enough on its own.
There are crowds of people, long lines at security checkpoints, and plenty of people who are worried they're somehow going to inadvertently break a rule.
The last thing you want to do is throw extra steps into the process.
But, sometimes, you don't have a choice.
We had our first big trip with our toddlers planned. We were very organized and had lists of everything we'd need to pack and have ready ahead of time.
And then, when everything was lining up perfectly, one of our toddlers woke up five days before the trip with a swollen eye.
We saw the pediatrician a few hours later and were prescribed a course of antibiotics that would take care of this sudden ailment.
After about 1.5 days of medication, things were looking pretty much back to normal, but we had to complete the full seven days of antibiotics for the course to be effective and ensure the issue was fully knocked out.
That meant that we'd be traveling with medication. Okay, no big deal, people do it all the time. But this medication had to be refrigerated (and not frozen) in order to ensure it maintained its prescribed potency.
Again, no big deal, people travel with stuff that needs to be refrigerated. But we've never had to.
This was all new territory.
We suddenly had to do a ton of research to ensure we had all of the supplies we needed while following airport regulations and screening measures to keep our child's medication at the appropriate temperature for over 12 hours of travel time—plus getting to and from the airports, totaling over 16 hours for the medication to be out of the fridge.
If we failed, the medication might not knock out the infection, and we'd run the risk of it coming back while we were abroad.
With all of this in mind, here are some tips for traveling with toddlers and prescription medicine.
Get a doctor's note for security
It only takes about two minutes for the doctor to type up, but it could save you delays and a major headache at the airport. Have it easily ready to grab, if needed, when you go through security.
Call your pediatrician's office before your departure date and ask them to send you an official doctor's note on their clinic's letterhead.
Ask them to include the patient's name, the name of the medication they've been prescribed, the reason they're taking it (what condition it's treating), and that the medication must be kept refrigerated.
The medication may require extra screening or testing, but at least you'll have an official doctor's note to back up what you're saying when you show up at security with liquid medication and methods to keep it cold.
Get instant cold packs to keep medication cold
Use a Ziploc bag filled with ice cubes or frozen ice packs to keep the medication cold in a thermal bag for the beginning of your journey.
Declare these items when you reach the security checkpoint and explain they're to keep your medication at the appropriate temperature.
If the ice packs thaw while you're waiting to board your initial or connecting flight, you don't have to throw the freezer packs out, as long as you declare them at the security checkpoint and explain they're medically necessary to keep your medication at a safe cool temperature.
They're still supposed to be allowed through, even if they're thawed, BUT if they're thawed by that point, then they're not keeping your medication cold anymore, which can affect the effectiveness of your medication.
As we all know, there can be delays when it comes to flying, so your handy-dandy freezer packs may not last all the way to your final destination.
While you can't plan for everything (as nice as that would be), it's best to try to prepare for the unknown as much as you can, especially if you find yourself having to travel with medication that requires refrigeration, so your travel experience goes as smoothly as it can.
This is an instance where you can plan ahead. If your freezer packs tap out, you'll be ready to switch to instant cold packs when you need to.
Note, you also need to declare these cold packs as medically necessary at the security checkpoint, so they can be screened and tested or swabbed, if needed.
Most instant cold packs contain ammonium nitrate (a hazardous material) and water. These two ingredients, when mixed together by squeezing the package as directed, undergo an endothermic reaction and immediately lower the temperature of the pack, which makes them a handy option when you need them without warning.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, while these cold packs, which are activated by force (such as squeezing), have liquid inside of them, they are supposed to be exempt from the liquid rule if they're required for medical or first aid purposes, and they can be packed in either your checked or carry-on baggage.
Having said that, there are still quantity limits, depending on how and where you pack them.
The FAA site says the packs would be "included in, not in addition to, the quantity limits for medicinal and toiletry articles. The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed two kilograms (70 ounces) or two liters (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kilograms (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces)."
Further limitations stipulate that when the packs are included in carry-on baggage, "any liquid / ice gel products are further limited to 100-milliliter (3.4-ounce) containers" at the security checkpoint, if they're not already frozen solid. Normal ice packs (the ones that have to be put into a freezer to be useful) do not include hazardous materials and have no quantity limits in checked baggage.
Of course, the final decision on what is allowed through the checkpoint lies with the specific security agent you encounter, but the Transportation Security Administration's site indicates that instant hot and cold packs are permitted in both carry-on and checked luggage.
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Instant Cold Packs, 24-Pack, by Affordtex
Instant Cold Packs for Traveling
This is a 24-pack of instant cold packs by Affordtex. They don't require prior freezing and can be easily activated in seconds when needed. At just 7.5 inches by 4.5 inches, they're great for traveling, hiking, or having on-hand at sporting events to reduce pain and swelling.
For us, taking these instant cold packs through security wasn't an issue; they just asked us what the cold packs in our lunch kit were and why we had them. We explained we had to keep our son's medication cold until we got to our final destination, which wouldn't be for several hours. They showed our thermal bag and its contents to their manager, it was swabbed and cleared, and we were all set to proceed through security.
TwinsyTwins Shop
Expandable Insulated Lunch Bag by Columbia
Expandable Thermal Bag for Easy Transport
This is an expandable and insulated lunch bag by Columbia. This water-repellent bag also includes an ice pack and a leak-proof, BPA-free, reusable food container.
Pack everything in a medically-essential bag
Pack everything related to the medicine all together in a medically-essential bag. This will likely be a thermally insulated bag to keep your items cold.
Tell the agent when you get to security what the bag is and why you have it, and they'll screen it appropriately.
Ask the flight attendants for assistance
If, while you're traveling and waiting on connecting flights, your ice packs melt and your instant cold packs aren't keeping things cold enough or will run out before you get to your destination, explain your situation to the flight attendant on board the plane.
Tell them about the doctor's note you've got (or offer to show them), and ask if they might have space for your medication in their fridge.
They may not have room or may not be able to accommodate the request, but it's worth asking if you're in a pinch.
If you go this route, do NOT forget to ask for your medication back shortly before arrival or when you deplane because you do not want to leave that behind after all the trouble you went through to get it onto the plane.
Plan ahead for ease of travel
Traveling with toddlers and prescription medicine is doable, as long as you plan ahead.
Request a doctor's note to have on-hand as you go through security.
Bring ice packs and instant cold packs in your medically necessary bag, and be sure to check the bag along your journey to ensure the medication is staying at the correct temperature until you can get it into a fridge when you get where you're going.
Have you ever had to travel with prescription medicine that had to be refrigerated? Did you run into any issues along the way? Do you have any tips? Let us know in the Comments section below.
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