Breastfeeding is an amazing part of motherhood. Being able to provide my daughter with nutrients and antibodies is so reassuring as we travel often, exposing her to plenty of germs. Not all moms are able to breast feed and that is okay too! This post is specially for nursing mamas who need a few tips of navigating breastfeeding while traveling. Nursing can be challenging for moms who are always on the go. Here are some travel tips that can make breastfeeding easier and make you more comfortable:
- Invest in a good quality nursing bra that is comfortable and provides easy access for breastfeeding. Along with the bra, wear comfortable loose tops for ease of access as well. I love my nursing bras; they are reasonably priced and have held up well for 8 months so far! Check them out below:
- This one is totally your preference, but I personally feel more comfortable in public when I have a nursing cover. Having a light weight blanket or a nursing shawl can be helpful when in a public place, especially when baby is fussy and drawing attention to us.
- As best as you can, try to plan your travel itinerary around your baby’s feeding schedule. Try to schedule your flights or travel during your baby’s nap time or feeding time. This obviously is not always the case when it comes to navigating the best price and finding direct flights, but it’s something you can keep in mind!
- If you are traveling by car, plan regular breaks to breastfeed your baby and stretch your legs. This will also allow baby time to stretch out of their car seat.
- Carry a cooler bag with ice packs to store expressed breast milk if you need to travel without your baby or if bringing frozen milk from home. I found this amazing compact size cooler pouch that fits 4-5 frozen milk bags! It stayed frozen for about 5 hours before it started to defrost.
- Keep an eye out for nursing rooms, family rooms, etc on your travels! Some airports have private spaces for you to pump, nurse, and change baby. I was recently at BWI airport, and they had a room nursing room with a rocking chair, large sink and counter-space, table, etc. I was so impressed!
- Stay hydrated and eat well to maintain a good milk supply for your baby. I always drink less on a day that I am flying or taking a road trip because I don’t want to have to constantly go to the bathroom. I love to take electrolytes on these days to help keep me hydrated. I am much more conscious of drinking water while traveling now that I am nursing and want to keep my supply up! My favorite electrolyte powder that I found is linked below. They come in individual packs that can easily be thrown into your purse or diaper bag. I tried to find the cleanest option, but be sure to do your own research!
- Finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Traveling with a baby can be exhausting, so make sure you rest when you can and ask for help when you need it.
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