Tips For Traveling While Breastfeeding Your Baby

It has been a labor of love to write my blog. Breastfeeding is best for your baby. Sometimes, a mom needs to travel with her baby while she is breastfeeding. It can get very tricky if you are breastfeeding and flying. If a mom needs to travel without her baby, that can get even harder. In fact, pumping and storing are real important while traveling. Therefore, traveling while breastfeeding should be well planned out. Call your airline company before you travel. Ask them about regulations about traveling with a baby. The Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, recommends that babies under 40 pounds, be secured in a car seat. However, it is not mandatory. Breastfeeding on an airplane can be done.Make a list of what you need to bring. Try to board early, so you can get situated where you will sit on the plane etc... I liked to breastfeed and sit in a window seat. I used something to put over me while I breastfed. I know that other moms prefer an aisle seat, so they can get up and down more easily. Here are a few tips that I recommend: Wear loose clothing so you can easily pull it up to breastfeed your baby. Make sure to drink plenty of water and liquids while flying. Wash your hands before and after you breastfeed. Be prepared to have some expressed breast milk available in case you need it. Change your baby's diaper before the flight. Breast milk falls into the same category as liquid medications. Tell the security officer at the counter that you have pumped breast milk. Some moms find it beneficial to breastfeed while taking off and landing. This helps the baby's ear get unplugged and can ease the pressure in their ears. Bring extra spare parts for your pump. Sterilize them before bringing them with you. Keep them in a sealed bag. Make sure that anywhere you travel, your baby is caught up with their immunizations. Don't let too many people touch your baby unless they have washed their hands. A sling or soft baby carrier is helpful when you travel. Try to book a flight when less people are on. Off peak hours is a good choice if possible. Help your baby out if your baby is crying inconsolably. Get up and walk to the back of the plane to help soothe the baby if necessary so the baby crying will not disturb too many people. If a mom has to go on a business trip and cannot bring her baby, try to pump on a schedule that is similar to your baby's feeding schedule as possible. Put the milk in a cooler immediately and refrigerate when you get to a hotel. In conclusion, be prepared before you travel. If you stay organized, your trip will be more fun. Breastfeeding a baby on a plane is possible. Taking a business trip while breastfeeding can happen, as long as you are organized. Enjoy and have a safe flight. Check TSA for latest regulations: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/traveling-childrenBe prepared to have some expressed breast milk available in case you need it. Change your baby's diaper before the flight. Breast milk falls into the same category as liquid medications. Tell the security officer at the counter that you have pumped breast milk. Some moms find it beneficial to breastfeed while taking off and landing. This helps the baby's ear get unplugged and can ease the pressure in their ears. Bring extra spare parts for your pump. Sterilize them before bringing them with you. Keep them in a sealed bag. Make sure that anywhere you travel, your baby is caught up with their immunizations. Don't let too many people touch your baby unless they have washed their hands. A sling or soft baby carrier is helpful when you travel. Try to book a flight when fewer people are on. Off peak hours is a good choice if possible. Help your baby out if your baby is crying inconsolably. Get up and walk to the back of the plane to help soothe the baby if necessary so the baby crying will not disturb too many people. If a mom has to go on a business trip and cannot bring her baby, try to pump on a schedule that is similar to your baby's feeding schedule as possible. Put the milk in a cooler immediately and refrigerate when you get to a hotel.In conclusion, be prepared before you travel. If you stay organized, your trip will be more fun. Breastfeeding a baby on a plane is possible. Taking a business trip while breastfeeding can happen, as long as you are organized. Enjoy and have a safe flight.Check TSA for latest regulations:http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/traveling-children