How can I breastfeed while traveling?
Traveling with a baby is never easy, but breastfeeding doesn't have to add to that stress. In fact, breastfeeding can make your trip much easier—and your diaper bag much lighter!
First, invest in a good cover-up that will give you privacy and give your baby a dark environment to nurse. After a certain age, many babies are much more interested in their surroundings than nursing, so a cover-up will help.
Wear clothes that are loose and comfortable that allow your baby easy access to nursing. This is especially important on a full flight where you don't have a lot of room to maneuver. A window seat may also give you a little more room for privacy.
Drink lots of water and opt for plain water over a caffeinated beverage to prevent dehydration. Remember: if you become dehydrated, your milk production may decrease.
While you're away, try to get plenty of sleep and avoid stress as much as possible. Both exhaustion and stress can decrease your milk supply.
For you pumping moms, you are permitted by the TSA to bring breast milk with you. You just need to present it at the security checkpoint for inspection before boarding the plane.
You should never feel apologetic for feeding your baby while traveling. It is both your right and your responsibility to feed your baby whenever and wherever you need to.
Reviewed by Dr. Sara Connolly, March 2020
I definitely agree that breastfeeding while travelling can certainly make your life easier and your suitcase lighter! I’d also throw in for pumping moms who want a private space in which to pump that they contact the airport ahead of time to see what accomodations exist – so many in our country unfortunately still don’t have rooms set aside for this purpose and may point you in the direction of the family bathroom, which is still just a bathroom. Even if you get stuck without a private place to pump, using a nursing cover to cover up in an empty terminal can help and also keep you from having to pump in a bathroom.