Breastfeeding and Traveling with a Baby

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Breastfeeding and Traveling with a Baby

Traveling with a newborn is not an easy task, especially when your baby is relying on your breast milk to be fed. Breastfeeding and pumping at the airport, on the plane, or any cramped mode of transport can seem overwhelming, but you’ll be good to go with some appropriate planning and preparation.

Continuing to breastfeed or pump breast milk while traveling can provide a source of comfort for you and your little one, especially when their normal routine is interrupted. Both methods come with their own perks, but choosing to breastfeed, pump, or both, is up to your baby’s needs and your family’s travel plans. This post will talk about both breastfeeding and pumping while traveling with a baby.

Breastfeeding While Traveling

Breastfeeding is more convenient than you think when you are on the go. You are not required to bring as many tools as you may need if you are pumping, you are free from carrying a cooler with you, and on top of that, the closeness you provide through breastfeeding can help soothe your baby from any discomfort. 

Planning ahead can help make it easier for you to continue breastfeeding. Creating a breastfeeding travel plan and being well-informed about all your options can help you make the best decisions for your baby! Here are some quick tips to help make breastfeeding while traveling, a breeze:

1. Plan your schedule or itinerary.
   Dedicate time in your schedule to nurse your child. Newborns (up to about 2 months old) should be fed every 2-3 hours. Make sure not to spread your feeding too far and keep them nourished on a schedule like you would at home! Budget out extra time at the airport or roadside rest areas to feed your baby.
   
   
2. Breastfeed on demand when possible.
   Pay extra attention to hunger cues, but avoid stretching the feedings for more than 3-4 hours, especially if your baby is a newborn. Feeding on the go can be tricky – your little one may react to a change in routine and may take time to adjust to different time zones. Expect your baby to want to be fed, sleep, or wake up at unusual times, so learn to be attentive to your baby’s needs!
   
   
3. Know your rights (but respect other cultures).
   Never feel apologetic about breastfeeding. Most airlines allow mothers to nurse their children without a “cover up”, and passengers who do not feel comfortable seeing a nursing mother are offered a different seat. However, you may want to keep in mind where you are visiting to understand your destination country or city’s local standards and cultural norms. Some countries may be more conservative than others. For example, in some predominantly Muslim countries such as Malaysia, many locals are seen feeding under a hijab. It is important to respect your destination’s culture and be informed to avoid any issues and discomfort from the locals!

Other Options Besides Breastfeeding: Pumping and Hand Expression

If you choose to pump and provide breast milk in a bottle, you can use an electric pump, a wearable hands-free pump, or a manual hand pump. If you’re unsure what breast pump to choose, speak with a lactation consultant to figure out which pump best fits your supply needs and lifestyle.

Electric pumps have a built-in motor that does the pumping for you. They are typically the more efficient option compared to manual pumps. Many electric pumps are also wireless and can be battery-operated.

Wearable hands-free pumps are a type of electric pump and also require no manual work. Hands-free pumps are discrete and rechargeable, perfect for bringing to work, on the go, and traveling! However, they are typically less powerful and not recommended for use as the main method for removing milk especially if you have trouble keeping up your milk supply. The Willow® Wearable Breast Pump and Elvie are popular options for pumping moms on the go.

Lastly, hand pumps are the most affordable out of the three, they are quiet and require you to pump the handle to generate a vacuum. Hand pumps are recommended for occasional use as they can be quite labor-intensive for long-term use or for pumping a huge supply. Again, probably not recommended to use as the main method for milk removal, but it can still get the job done if you are out on vacation.

If you have chosen not to pump or travel with a pump, it might be helpful to learn how to hand express. As an alternative to pumping, you can learn to hand express your milk to relieve engorged breasts, maintain milk supply, and most importantly, provide a reserve of milk for your baby when they need it. 

Tips If You Plan To Pump

Packing all the equipment and pump parts on the go can be overwhelming. To pump and travel with ease, here are some helpful tips to help you plan your travel:

1. Determine how many bottles of breast milk you can store and how much your baby needs in a day.
   Keep track of how much your baby drinks a day and how much you can store. Typically, breast milk cooler bags can hold a maximum of six 8-ounce bottles. Keep in mind that breast milk should only be kept at room temperature (77F or colder) for no more than about 4-6 hours. If you are traveling for more than 4 hours, carry a cooler bag with you packed with an ice pack to keep your breast milk safe. Read more here: Breastmilk Storage Guidelines & FAQ’s: How Long Does Breast Milk Last?
   
   
2. Bring cleaning items, like brushes and soap, to clean your pump parts.
   Unless you don’t mind traveling around with a bag of pumping equipment with remnants of solidified milk, you’ll want to have what you need to clean your pump parts. But on a more serious note, it is important to keep your pump parts clean to not risk infection for you or your baby.
   
   
3. Look out for areas where you can safely and privately pump.
   Large or medium-sized airports are now required to have private spaces or lactation rooms equipped with chairs, tables, and electrical outlets for the expression of breast milk. Make sure to check the airport’s website to find where these spaces are located! If you are traveling on a train or other modes of transport, you can also check their websites for areas you can comfortably pump. Alternatively, depending on your comfort level, you can use a nursing cover or top and pump at any location you deem safe!
   
   
4. Make your itinerary for your plans and maintain a pumping schedule to keep up your supply and avoid engorgement.
   There is no worse feeling than traveling with engorged breasts! It is easy to pop a bottle of milk out to feed your baby wherever you are, but also remember that you need to empty out your breasts regularly to avoid discomfort.
   
   
5. Be prepared when traveling with breast milk by plane.
   If you are traveling within the U.S., the TSA website has not set out a limit for the amount of breastmilk you can carry on, but states that you can bring a “reasonable amount”. To be safe, print out the TSA guidelines in case your screener is not familiar with the guidelines associated with breast milk. Make sure to take your breast milk out along with your electronics, and report to your screener you are traveling with breast milk and a pump. Typically, they will screen the milk and your equipment through an x-ray. Make sure to give yourself extra time when traveling through airport security checkpoints!

General Tips For Feeding and Traveling With A Baby

1. Make a list of what to bring.
   A week or a few days before departure, make a list of equipment you need to bring. This can help you avoid any last-minute anxiety that comes with packing and reduces the chance of you forgetting anything essential! Making a list is of all the equipment and cleaning tools you need is extra handy especially if you plan to pump.
   
   
2. Look after your nips.
   Being on the road and traveling around with sore and painful nipples does not sound fun! If you are experiencing chapped nipples, an easy-on-the-go remedy is breast milk. Apply breast milk to the problem area and allow it to air dry. If you are pumping, lubricate your breast or your pump flange with some vegetable oil or breast milk to avoid irritating your nipples. You might want to read up on this post on What To Do With Leftover Breast Milk.
   
   
3. Be informed about lactation rooms and safe spaces.
   Just like the advice given above, make sure to check airport websites, or if you are traveling by car, gather research about rest stops suitable for your breastfeeding needs. With other modes of transport, you can try to request information from customer service through email or by phone ahead of time!
   
   
4. If you are breastfeeding and pumping to feed by bottle:
   You may choose to breastfeed and pump on your trip. Just remember that whichever way you decide to feed your baby throughout your travel, you still need to empty your breasts regularly! You may be breastfeeding or bottle feeding every 2-3 hours, but also remember to pump every few hours to maintain your milk supply and avoid having your breasts feel too full and uncomfortable.

You might be interested in this post:
Introducing Breastfed Baby’s First Bottle And How To Bottle Feed With Paced Bottle Feeding

Other Tips For Different Types of Travel

By Car
Traveling by car might be the most flexible option for travel since you have control over your schedule and pit stops. You might have to schedule regular stops to feed or comfort your baby or stop more often than you had originally planned. Expect that you might have to work around a longer travel time to take care of your baby on the road.

By Bus or Train
You might want to get a comfortable seat (if possible) if you are boarding a bus or train. You can try contacting customer service to see what accommodations they can make and if there are options for early boarding. Remember to inquire about spaces suitable or dedicated for breastfeeding or pumping, and whether electric outlets are available (if you need them for your pump).

By Plane
Besides knowing where breastfeeding spaces are in the airport and knowing the airport screening requirements, plan to get to the airport early! You might need some extra time to get through all the security checkpoints especially if you are bringing pumped breast milk and other equipment. One last tip, put your baby at ease during take-off and landing by breastfeeding them, this can actually help your baby avoid the ear pain that occurs due to pressure changes!

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