Tips for Breastfeeding Mothers During Travel.

Introduction

The preparatory part of the breastfeeding mom for a holiday slightly differs from other travelers. Although the idea of taking a nursing infant on the road may seem challenging, breastfeeding has a number of advantages for both parents and children traveling together. Babies whose regular routine is disturbed by travel may find comfort in breastfeeding. Breast milk keeps babies hydrated in addition to giving them the best nutrition. Even in hot weather, breastfed infants under the age of six months do not need to drink any liquids, including water. Mother can successfully continue to nurse or express milk for her baby if she prepares in advance.

What Are the Necessary Things To Carry During Travel?

• An Upper Garment for Nursing: Concerned about nursing in public? Finding a clean, private location to breastfeed while traveling can be challenging, but with the right nursing cover or nursing top, it won't be a problem.

• A Transportable Cooler and Storage Containers: The mother will require a location to securely store her milk if she is pumping while on the go. Buying transportable freezer- and cooler-safe storage containers or bags is an excellent place to start. Bring ice packs that are completely frozen so they will stay cold throughout the entire trip.

• A Portable Pump: If the mother plans to travel frequently as a new mother, she might want to consider spending money on a portable pump for when she not close to an outlet.

• Power Adapter With Dual Voltage: In order to plug the pump in or recharge the battery at the destination, one might need to pack a power adaptor when traveling internationally.

What Needs To Be Followed While Flying Along With Baby?

• When flying by air, breastfeeding the child during takeoff and landing will aid in preventing ear pain in the child brought on by changes in cabin pressure.

• Feed the infant as needed. The best strategy to maintain a regular milk supply is to give the infant breast milk anytime they need to eat.

What Are the Steps To Be Followed Incase of Not Accompanying the Baby?

One must take specific actions to preserve their milk supply if they intend to continue breastfeeding while away from home. Working with a lactation consultant or pediatrician may also make planning for a particular situation easier.

Before Leaving Home:

• In order for the child to continue receiving the milk while being apart, express breast milk in advance.

• Infants who have never drunk milk from a cup or bottle should practice using the cup and give it to the caretaker.

While on the Road:

• When traveling, there are many options for what to do with breastmilk. Mother can express milk and keep it or ‘pump and dump’ (throw) it, or she can send it home.

• If storing and shipping breast milk is not an option, ‘pumping and dumping’ will help the mother maintain her milk supply so she can continue nursing when she is reconciled with her kid.

Expression of Milk

Many parents who travel with their children may worry about keeping their milk supply full. Here are some recommendations for keeping the milk supply during journey:

• If the mother can, feed her baby as frequently as she normally feeds herself during regular breaks to express milk.

• The mother may have better success using an electric breast pump if she wants to maintain a plentiful milk supply for a lengthy period of time.

• Consider whether an electrical adapter and converter are necessary if the mother intends to use an electric breast pump.

• Have a backup plan for expressing milk, such as hand expression or a portable manual pump if necessary.

• Before expressing milk, make sure to clean the hands with soap and water. When there is no access to soap and water, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer contains at least 60 % alcohol.

• While traveling, it's crucial to keep the breast pump's components clean. Make a plan ahead of time for the best way to clean the pump kit components according to unique travel circumstances.

• A manual or battery-powered breast pump might be the best bet if one needs to express milk while riding in a car, plane, or other mode of transportation. Additionally, car adapters can be used to power some pumps.

Milk Storage:

• If necessary, make sure to enquire in advance with the hotel staff or other place of lodging about getting a small refrigerator for the room.

• Milk storage bags or clean, food-grade containers with tight-fitting lids made of glass or BPA-free plastic are good options for storing expressed milk.

• Milk should be kept in the freezer or refrigerator's back, where the temperature is more likely to remain steady.

Milk Transportation

• If planning on bringing expressed milk on a trip, carefully consider how to transport the milk. The mother may need to be aware of and adhere to certain policies depending on your transportation mode (such as an airplane, car, train, or bus).

• For up to 24 hours, freshly expressed milk can be transported in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs. Use the milk immediately, put it in the fridge, or freeze it upon reaching the destination.

• When reaching the destination, check if the milk was transported in a cooler with ice, frozen gel packs, or both. If the milk has ice crystals, it can be refrozen upon reaching.

• Do not forget that once milk has completely thawed, it should be kept cold and used within 24 hours. The amount of time spent traveling and the cooler's temperature will determine this. Check the milk to see if it has thawed after a few hours in the cooler.

What Are the Air Travel Considerations?

• Each terminal building at all major and minor hub airports must have a private, non-bathroom area for the external expression of breast milk. To find these spaces, visit the airport's website.

• Expressed milk and related baby and child feeding supplies are excused (exempt) from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules that restrict the number of liquids and gels that can be carried through airport security in the United States.

• All expressed milk, ice packs, gel packs (frozen or not), pumps, pump kits, and other supplies needed to transport expressed milk through airport security checkpoints and onboard flights may be brought on board by passengers.

• Users could still transport milk and supplies even if the mother is not traveling with a child.

• Expressed milk and any necessary accessories should be declared to the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening procedure. These items should be kept apart from other liquids, gels, and aerosols, limited to 3.4 oz (100 mL) each, and subject to the TSA's Liquids rule. Typically, X-rays are used to screen expressed milk and any associated accessories.

• The child can drink X-rayed milk without getting sick. Let the TSA agent know if the mother does not want her breast milk to be X-rayed or opened. The liquid will be cleared with additional steps.

• Individuals or the traveling guardian will undergo additional security checks, which may involve patting down and inspecting the other carry-on belongings.

• When traveling with expressed milk and related supplies, give yourself more time at the airport to negotiate the aviation security checks.

The screening procedure might be facilitated by having a printed copy of the TSA guidelines for expressed milk.

How To Get Back To Routine After Traveling?

• One can continue breastfeeding their infant even if the milk supply starts to decline while the mother is away, and in most cases, the milk supply will return to normal after a few days.

• Sometimes, during protracted separations, babies who have grown accustomed to using a bottle or cup may find it challenging to resume breastfeeding. If the mother is having trouble breastfeeding after being reunited with their child, assistance from a lactation specialist may be helpful.

Conclusion

Hence, a breastfeeding mom can have hustle-free travel if all the guidelines are followed, and necessary things are carried properly, and also get back to the routine. Happy parenting.