Traveling With Your Breastfed Baby

One of the great things about breastfeeding is that you typically don’t need lots of stuff in order to do it. Your baby and your own body – that’s all you really need. No bottles, formula, looking for water, mixing, warming, cleaning. Breastmilk is sterile, always ready and at just the right temperature. This makes breastfed babies very portable, and makes traveling with one pretty simple (at least the feeding part).

No matter how you’re traveling, be sure to wear comfortable clothes. Two-piece outfits – so you can easily lift your top to nurse – are essential. You might even want to invest in a couple of nursing tops to help you feel comfortable. A cardigan or other layering, like a scarf, can give you some added privacy if you’re shy about nursing in public.

If you’re flying:

  • Pack extra clothes and diapers in your carryon just in case your luggage is delayed (this is true whether your baby is breastfed or not!)
  • Pack extra water for yourself – airplanes can be pretty dry and you don’t want to get dehydrated.
  • Nursing your baby as your plane is taking off and as it’s landing can help relieve some of the discomfort your baby may feel with the pressure change.
  • Carrying baby in a sling or wrap is helpful in crowded airports (though you’ll need a car seat for on the plane).
  • Window seats may give a little more privacy and bulkhead seats offer more legroom – so you may want to consider that when booking your flight.
  • You may want to talk to the flight attendants as you’re boarding – just to let them know you plan of feeding your baby in flight – and check the airline’s policies ahead of your trip.

If you’re traveling by car:

  • Plan for plenty of stops to feed and change baby.
  • Find a place to safely stop before removing him from his car seat. As much as you may want to try maneuvering yourself to nurse him while your partner continues driving, it’s essential to take the extra time to stop.
  • You might consider planning long stretches of driving during the night or during baby’s regular nap times.
  • The motion of the car may lull baby to sleep – if your baby is very young, you may need to stop to wake baby to nurse.

It’s not unusual for baby’s schedule to change when traveling. All the excitement, overstimulation, and schedule disruption may take some adaptation on your part. Don’t forget babies get jet lagged, too. Allow extra time for adjustments.

Pay attention to your own hunger and thirst cues, as well as your need for rest. Allow plenty of time to get from one place to another – traveling with children always takes more time than you think it will.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Baby on Board: Advice for Traveling With Your Infant

Maybe you’re taking your baby to visit family for the holidays or planning your first vacation with your new addition. Either way, the thought of hitting the road (or skies) with your baby for the first time may make you a bit nervous.

It’s true; gone are the days when you could pack an overnight bag and hop a train or flight on a moment’s notice. Although traveling with your baby takes a little more planning and a lot more stuff, it can also be fun to introduce your baby to the world around him.

Plan Ahead

Whether you’re driving, flying or taking another mode of transportation to your destination, there are several things to keep in mind when traveling with your little one.

One of the best things you can do is give yourself extra time to get where you’re going. Getting through security with a baby and extra stuff can take a little while. Even if you’re traveling by car, unexpected stops to change a diaper or soothe a crying baby may occur. Don’t add stress to your travels by feeling rushed.

You may also want to consider traveling overnight. Taking a red-eye flight or driving in the evening may be the perfect way to increase the chances your baby will sleep during the trip.

Traveling by air may be especially stressful with a baby. You’re locked into an aircraft without a lot of space to move around. Add to that the unhappy glances from your fellow passengers when your baby cries and you may have a long flight.

It may help to feed your baby on take-off and landing. All that swallowing may help decrease ear pressure that’s common when you’re changing altitude. Also, consider dressing your baby for easy diaper changes. Those tights and dress may look adorable, but they may not make for a quick diaper change.

However you travel, make sure you bring a few essentials, such as toys, books, diapers and a change of clothes. If you’re modest, a cover up for nursing is also a good idea. You never know when you’ll have a delay, so make sure you bring enough of everything.

Keeping a Loose Routine

Once you get to your destination, try to keep your baby on his normal routine as much as possible. Of course, sticking to an exact routine during the holidays or while traveling can be a little tricky. For instance, if you’re crossing time zones, or family and friends want to hold your little bundle, it may delay your normal activities. But sticking to your baby’s regular schedule may prevent fussiness due to being sleepy or hungry.

Don’t worry if things don’t go completely as planned. Flights get delayed, babies get sick, and travel plans are not foolproof. For example, try not to stress if your seatmate on your flight is not exactly a baby person or if your little one is fussier than normal. Instead, focus on enjoying your holiday or vacation and making new memories with your baby.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady 34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.