Traveling while you're breastfeeding or pumping can seem like an overwhelming task, especially before you've gotten the hang of information technology. Trying to discover privacy to feed your baby or a place where y'all can pump in peace can exist tricky. Whether you're traveling by airplane, railroad train or car, feeding baby on the go takes a little preparation.

Best breastfeeding travel gear

Kickoff, you lot'll need the right gear — having everything yous need on mitt can make breastfeeding away from home much easier.

  • A nursing cover or pinnacle. Non and so sure virtually breastfeeding in public? It can exist hard to find a make clean and private place to breastfeed in commute, but having a skilful nursing comprehend or nursing elevation can brand feeding your babe in public no big deal.

  • Storage bags or bottles and a portable cooler. If you're pumping on the get, you'll need a place to safety store your milk. Investing in freezable storage bags or bottles and a portable cooler is a good identify to start. Make sure to bring totally frozen ice packs so they'll stay cold for your unabridged journeying.

  • A portable pump. If you lot're going to exist traveling oft as a new mom, you lot may want to invest in a portable pump for times when you're not near an outlet.

  • Dual-voltage ability adaptor. If yous're traveling internationally, you may need to pack a ability adaptor to plug your pump in or recharge the bombardment at your destination.

Traveling with baby while breastfeeding

No matter where you're headed, planning ahead is key.

  • Don't rush. If you lot're flight to your destination, leave enough fourth dimension so that you never have to choose between making your flight or meeting your babe'due south needs.

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  • Seek out breastfeeding-friendly spaces. Phone call the airdrome ahead of time to see if there are any designated lactation rooms — some airports at present take "lactation pods" where you can breastfeed or pump. While these rooms tend to be pocket-sized, if y'all're timid about breastfeeding in public, they can be very handy. The Mamava Pod locator can assist you find out which airports have these pods installed.

  • Take hold of the window seat. If you're flying with a partner or family unit member, nabbing the window seat with your travel companion beside you tin can make breastfeeding experience a fiddling more individual.

  • Plan alee for road trips. Nicer gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants on your road can be more comfortable to nurse in, and you might be able to scope them out ahead of fourth dimension using online review sites like Yelp or Tripadvisor. If y'all're staying in the automobile, just make sure that you pull over, because babe always needs to exist strapped into her machine seat whenever the vehicle is moving.

  • Feed your babe expressed milk. Ane fob of the trade is to have your partner drive while you pump so bottle-feed expressed milk to your infant. This way, y'all can avert having to pull over at all.

  • Drinkable enough water. While hit the remainder stop isn't fun if yous're driving, you'll have to terminate anyway with baby in tow. And making sure you're hydrated is one of the keys to successful breastfeeding on the route.

  • Know your rights. No matter where you are in the U.S., you have a legal correct to breastfeed your baby in public. And if you're comfy breastfeeding without a embrace or pinnacle, go for it!

  • Stay condom. Wash your hands often and pack hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes to clean high-touch surfaces in whatever space you lot're nursing in, and always vesture a mask and practice proper social distancing when yous're out in public.

Traveling without baby while pumping

Pumping tin be hard when you're traveling, in part because doing and then in public is oftentimes more than cumbersome than breastfeeding. Even so, you accept options.

  • Plan alee. Before you leave, use this guide to determine how many bottles of breast milk you'll need to banking concern ahead of time to ensure baby has plenty during your absence.

  • Once again, training is fundamental. Know where you lot tin safely and privately pump before you get to the airport or on the road. As mentioned higher up, look for designated lactation rooms in airports that comprise a private space (other than a bathroom) with a chair, table and electricity outlet that volition make information technology comfy for you to pump.

  • No lactation pod? Endeavour using the airport courtesy phone booth in a compression, or y'all can pay extra to access the airport courtesy lounge.

  • Bring gear to launder your pump. If you're planning to pump more than once earlier you go to your destination, make sure you accept a brush and soap to clean your pump and bottles.

  • Get on a schedule. Attempt to maintain your baby'south normal feeding schedule so y'all can keep up your supply and avoid discomfort.

Breast milk storage when you're traveling

  • As long as it's non in direct sunlight or in a room warmer than 77º Fahrenheit, breast milk can be stored at room temperature for up to four hours before it needs to be refrigerated. Just if your trip is longer than that or babe isn't with you, you'll need to cool information technology down.

  • An insulated cooler with totally frozen ice packs will keep milk cool for upwards to 24 hours.

  • Make full chest milk storage bags no more than 3-quarters full to get out room for expansion. The aforementioned is true if you're using bottles.

  • Make sure to label your breast milk with the appointment and use older milk first.

  • Thaw breast milk by placing it in a basin of warm water or by moving it into the fridge for 24 hours.

How to travel with breast milk

Breast milk and formula are not discipline to the same rules equally other liquids when yous're traveling through an airport. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), "formula, chest milk and juice in quantities greater than three.iv ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage. Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to absurd formula, chest milk and juice are immune in your behave-on." If you lot have trouble at security, ask to speak with a managing director and prove them the rules listed on TSA's website .

Prefer non to deal with breast milk in the drome at all? You can also pay a footling extra to have your milk transported home by a company such as Milk Stork , which offers overnight shipping from most U.S. and international destinations.