Your One-Stop Shop for Airplane and Road Trip Breastfeeding Planning

Sucking and nursing While on the road, you may feel anxious about: Babies vary in their ability to adapt to changes in routine; some babies are more flexible than others. Whether you want to or need to spend time away from your breastfeeding baby, we have some suggestions to make your trip go smoothly.

Do you have any other helpful tips for breastfeeding while on the road Input is welcome below.

How to Breastfeed While Traveling

• Diapers, a travel changing pad, a wet bag, plastic shopping bags (for the dirtiest diapers), wipes, spare clothing, and hand sanitizer should all be kept in one easily accessible location (your "command center"). Don't forget to pack nursing pads; your breasts might not be used to the sudden schedule shift, and the last thing you want to do is sit in wet clothing for hours. Don't forget to bring some nutritious breastfeeding munchies!

• When traveling with a breast pump, it's a good idea to pack some spare bottles and parts in case you use your equipment frequently. Whether you're using a battery or an AC/DC converter/car adapter, you'll need power to operate your electric pump. A hand pump is also useful if there are no nearby power outlets.

  Having a tank top or bra designed for pumping and nursing without the need to use your hands is a huge help. Feel free to bring a nursing cover if that will help you relax.

  Remember to pack some ice and someplace to put the pumped milk. Breast pump wipes can be used to quickly clean the pump after use, and the parts can be tossed into a Ziploc bag and stored in a cooler until they can be washed.

• When it comes to the timing of a car trip, some parents swear by doing it at night, giving their babies a full bottle right before bedtime and putting them in the car seat, where they can relax to the car's lulling motion. Most parents agree that, like using the restroom, nursing the baby is a must before getting in the car.
• Intentional Pausing: Schedule Several Breaks It's unsafe to breastfeed a baby in a moving vehicle, and some infants may be resistant to taking bottles if they're used to being fed directly from you. Your baby may wake up screaming for food, but you can try gently rousing them for a top-up or dream feed at predetermined intervals.
• Connecting:  If you can, take a back seat while someone else drives. Don't put your nursing baby back into the car seat too soon. After nursing, it's important to spend some quality time cuddling and burping the baby. Remember to bring your baby's favorite comfort items, such as a blanket, lovey, or pacifier, and bring extras just in case.

Travel Nursing Advice

• Booking: Flying through an airport with a nursing room or pod is an option to think about. In other words, you can get the Mamava app to find facilities for nursing mothers in public places like airports It's also worth looking at Nursing Mothers, Please Pump Here
• Seating:  Babies under two years of age can sit on your lap; babywearing is convenient for this situation because it facilitates hands-free nursing. It's not uncommon for mothers to spring for an additional seat so they can accommodate a child. car seat providing a comfortable spot for the infant to rest  
  
  
  In order to have some peace and quiet while they nurse, many mothers choose a window seat. If you like to take your time with your carry-on and use the restroom frequently, you might like to sit in the plane's rear. Nonetheless, if there are people waiting to use the restroom, you may feel like you don't have enough privacy in the back.
• Timing: 
  Baby's ears will feel more comfortable during takeoff and landing if you breastfeed. If your baby is having trouble latching, try offering a small snack (if they are solid eaters) or a pacifier.
• Clothing:   Adaptive clothing for nursing mothers are an excellent plan for air travel It's a good idea to bring an open-front sweater, such as Cardigan that we use in the nursing profession
  to facilitate breastfeeding Extra clothing, including two changes of clothing for both you and the baby, should be packed as well.
• Privacy:  You should use whichever method of baby feeding is most convenient for you. Some mothers use a blanket or nursing cover for discretion during feedings. A good  and a bra and top designed for nursing aids in addition

How to Breastfeed While Flying

• Packing: 
  As many parents have said before you, it's best to have everything you need for pumping in one carry-on bag. Pack your double electric breast pump, parts, bottles, spare parts and bottles, milk storage containers, adapter, batteries, overseas power converter (if necessary), cooler, frozen ice packs, snacks, ID, and boarding passes in a bag with lots of pockets and compartments. It is not worth the potential for loss, damage, or delay to bring your pump in a checked bag, even if you don't intend to use it while in flight.
• Screening:
  You should check the TSA's regulations on transporting breast milk. Pumps are allowed on planes; however, you may need to declare your milk, pump, and bottles at the airport security checkpoint and pack them in a separate bag. Baby food and juice are exempt from the three-ounce rule for beverages. Cold compresses such as ice, frozen gel packs, and freezer packs are permitted. TSA agents may request that you empty your containers during the screening process. Although you have the right to refuse having your breast milk x-rayed or opened, you may still be subject to additional screening procedures. If additional screening is necessary, be sure to factor that in.
• Legal Requirements Abroad: Local ordinances regarding transporting breast milk could differ. To give just one example: if you Taking to the Skies over the UK
  you may bring as much fresh breast milk as you like, but no more than two liters in any one container. Verify the regulations of the airport(s) you plan to use before booking your international flight.
• Portable Pumps:
  The best pumps to bring on the road are typically compact, cordless, and double electric. A hand pump can be useful in emergency situations. Be sure you know how the pump operates before you hop on.
• Filling the Seats:
  Breastfeeding mothers report that planes have so much background noise that they can hardly hear the pump. Even though you have the right to pump whenever you like, some mothers like to let their seatmates know in advance that they will be doing so.
• Toilet Water Pressure:
  If you need to pump while flying, the best times to do so are before or after a meal or a drink service, or while watching a movie. It's a good idea to let the flight attendant know ahead of time if you'd like more privacy because worrying about being disturbed can interfere with sleep. Pumps should not be cleaned using water from airplane lavatories. Wipes for disinfecting surfaces are more secure.
• Air Terminal Fueling: Some flights allow you to avoid pumping by doing so in the car before entering the airport, in the nursing room or bathroom of the airport shortly before boarding, or in a quiet area of the baggage claim area after landing. Even if your airport doesn't have a designated area for nursing or pumping, you may be able to find some peace and quiet at an empty gate. Please observe the following: Breast pump that doesn't require your hands  or  liquid storage and transfer tank
• Storing: A cup of ice can be requested from the flight attendant if you plan on pumping on a lengthy flight. Packing for milk
  into Even though some parents have asked, you shouldn't expect the airline to provide a refrigerator so that you can keep your milk cold during the flight.
  If you expect to spend a lot of time in the airport between flights, pack a cooler. One convenient way to transport breast milk back home is to freeze it and store it in a portable cooler.

Breast milk storage and travel

• Containers:
  Clean, airtight, and transparent containers, such as bottles, glass jars, and milk storage bags (like our new Breast Milk Storage Bags), are ideal for storing expressed milk. Because it can be difficult to transfer milk from pumping bottles to bags or other containers while on the go, you may want to bring along some extra milk bottles.
• Storing: For a number of hours after expression, milk does not need to be refrigerated. Even with the temperature rising, breast milk can stay fresh for up to 24 hours in a cooler bag with ice packs. See this for information on how to use dry ice in a cooler. Check out this blog post for advice on finding a hotel with a refrigerator and freezer. Keep in mind that not all mini-fridges are cold enough to store milk safely. Read our blog to learn more about storing breast milk.
• Cleaning:  Pump parts and bottles can be cleaned efficiently using microwave-safe disinfecting bags in your hotel's microwave. In that case, you can simply use dish soap and a brush to clean the pump components as you would at home.
  
  If you don't have access to a full-size sink, another convenient trick is to seal up all the pumping components after use and keep them in the fridge or cooler until the next time you need them. Without having to wash your privates after each session, bacteria growth is reduced. Once a day, before bed, give the parts a good washing and disinfect.
  
  It should be noted that the CDC Bottles and breast pump parts should be washed and sterilized daily to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria, especially if your baby was born prematurely, is under three months old, or has a compromised immune system. A healthy, older infant may not require daily sterilization, but you may still want to do it once a week. )
  
  
• It may be more practical (albeit more costly) to ship breast milk home to your baby than to constantly carry and store it. Pumped breast milk can be shipped via UPS or FedEx overnight in a cooler with ice packs or dry ice. Take a look at the accompanying video or read the in-depth guidelines for safely transporting breast milk.

  Transport services that are designed specifically for breast milk, such as Milk Stork, come highly recommended. Knowing that skilled professionals are transporting your milk could be a huge relief if you have any concerns about its safety, so consider hiring them if it fits into your budget.

How to Keep Your Milk Supply Up and Avoid Engorgement When You're Away From Baby

• Supply:
  Pumping or hand-expressing your milk will help preserve your supply if you must travel without your baby. Even though it's not ideal, "pump and dumping" may be the best option if you're finding the logistics of storing your pumped milk to be too much of a burden and your baby is getting enough milk at home. ”
• Lodging: 
  Try to find a hotel that has a microwave and mini-fridge so you can make some of your own meals. An ice pack can be kept frozen, pumped milk can be kept cold, and pump components can be sterilized in a microwave disinfecting bag.
• Frequency:  Experts in the field of lactation consulting say IBCLC )  S. Harlin Shantel
  Pump every two to three hours during the day and for four to five hours at night to protect and maintain your milk supply while away from your baby. Pumping on your baby's regular feeding schedule should not affect your supply if your baby is over six months old and your supply is stable.
  Feel free to pump in an extra one or two if you think your supply is running low. If the mother pumps at the recommended intervals and stays away for no more than a week, there is little risk to the breastfeeding relationship.
• If you're experiencing engorgement, nursing is a better option than pumping any day. One of the best ways to prevent engorgement is to pump frequently. One more way to boost milk supply and pumping efficiency is to use both hands while pumping.

  A heated neck wrap, which you can make in your hotel's microwave, may help with letdown and milk production. To unclog a mildly blocked duct, massage any bumps that form. Clearing a blocked milk duct may require multiple pumps.

Breastfeeding mothers face some unique difficulties when traveling, but these can be overcome with proper planning. Know that, despite the challenges, traveling with a baby can result in memories you'll cherish forever.

Ask your mommy friends or the inspiring mothers who follow this blog for more advice, including airport and hotel recommendations. the Facebook page we're using , or you're a member of our Facebook community, KindredMamas Moreover, don't forget to look at Advice from a Group of KB Mothers About Traveling