Solutions for Breastfeeding Concerns While Traveling
I’ve mentioned before that traveling with a breastfeeding baby is easiest. If only because you don’t have to figure out how to sterilize bottles in a hotel room. I also fully acknowledge that I waited to travel with my first child until we were done nursing, because of many personal concerns I had about travel and nursing, and breastfeeding while traveling. My mission here is to inspire, motivate, and help families travel with babies, toddlers, and young children. So I was delighted when Bravado Designs got in touch so we could talk about breastfeeding and travel.
Sharing Concerns About Breastfeeding While Traveling…
In their ongoing effort to support nursing mothers, Bravado Designs conducted a survey of over 500 mothers. The goal was to better understand the challenges of traveling with a nursing baby. The data was very interesting – and inspiring! 71% of respondents said that they were definitely planning on traveling with a breastfeeding baby. There were concerns though – about milk storage, possible personal restrictions, as well as regarding nursing in public.
With regard to expressed breast milk, there was concern that stored milk may be taken at airport security. Or, that stored milk may go bad…
TSA modified the rules associated with carrying breast milk through security checkpoints. Breast milk is in the same category as liquid medication and mothers parents flying with, and without, their child are permitted to bring breast milk in quantities greater than three ounces as long as it is declared for inspection at the security checkpoint. Additionally, empty bottles and ice packs are permitted under these conditions.
When carrying formula, breast milk, or juice through the checkpoint, they will be inspected, however, you or your infant or toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk, formula, or juice. Our Security Officers may test liquid exemptions (exempt items more than 3 ounces) these items for explosives. Officers may ask you to open the container during the screening process.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/breast-milk
With regard to storage, for healthy, full-term infants… Breast milk can remain at room temperature for 4-6 hours, in a cooler with 3 frozen ice packs for 24 hours, or in a fridge for 3-8 days.
Personal concerns about travel and breastfeeding:
Some personal concerns about travel and breastfeeding were that it would slow down car trips, and restrict activities normally enjoyed while traveling (thus, not being able to enjoy the traveling). The thing with car trips with infants is, that regardless of breast or bottle feeding, the pace will be slower. In fact, all travel with infants is slower. And it should be!
Plan for frequent stops when determining your road trip route, and prepare for emergency stops anyway for ill-timed diaper blowouts. Whatever you do, please don’t try to nurse your baby while the car is moving .
What not to do while nursing…
There are few activities that you can’t do when you’re nursing – traveling or no. If your destination is hot, make sure you stay hydrated. And help baby stay hydrated by offering extra feeds. Over-exertion may lead to supply issues, so don’t overschedule your days. Enjoy a leisurely pace with your baby in tow – after all, it is supposed to be a vacation, right?
Madeira Beach, Florida
I started traveling with our son when he was 10-weeks-old. We nursed on planes, trains, and in (stopped) automobiles. We nursed in restaurants, on park benches and, occasionally, in really nice nursing rooms. I was pretty surprised at myself, considering I was self conscious with my daughter. But nobody EVER gave me a weird look or said anything. I think it is important to mention this. We only ever hear about the bad stories in the media and online.
Simply finding a place to sit means your baby can eat, although I do salute those mamas who can do it walking around with baby in a sling. I never used a cover, either. I always had a small blanket on hand, and would throw it over my shoulder mostly to cover my back. That’s why I highly recommend investing in a few nice nursing tops. Keeping covered went a long way for helping me to feel both physically and emotionally comfortable.
The International Breastfeeding Symbol on a Quebec City restaurant door
Breastfeeding is a right
There are VERY few destinations where public breastfeeding would be considered inappropriate. Most countries have laws protecting the rights of breastfeeding mothers, or else they don’t because laws are not necessary.
I fully understand the awkwardness of being a guest at someone’s home and nursing. We stayed for a week with my father-in-law when my son was 6-months-old. Luckily there was a comfortable armchair in the corner of the living room where we could sit and nurse. When it was time to pump, I was happy to be relieved of baby-duty. I would take off to our room for a few minutes with my pump and a trashy magazine.
Other than the requisite jokes about breast milk in coffee, my father-in-law was good-natured about storing the milk in his fridge. How could he not be? It wasn’t really done in his day. But nowadays it’s fairly common knowledge that breast milk is the best choice for babies. Of course he wanted the best for his grandson!
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See Also:
Tips for Feeding Baby on Holiday
How to Sterilize Bottles in a Hotel Room Sink
Bottle Feeding Travel Tips
How to Travel with a Breastfeeding Baby
Infant Travel: Planning Your First Trip with Baby
Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with a Newborn
Photo by Wes Hicks on Unsplash
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