Breastfeeding and traveling without baby
Prepare your feeding and pumping plan for the times when you’re traveling without your baby while breastfeeding
As a breastfeeding parent, there will likely come a time when you have to leave your baby for a night or two. Don’t panic. There are plenty of ways to maintain your supply (and your energy) from the road, and even get a full night of sleep. Whether you’re off to your BFF’s bachelorette party or a work conference, baby’s still gotta eat, which likely means you’ve gotta pump. Follow these steps before you hit the road to make sure you’ve covered all your bases.
The stash
The first thing you have to worry about when it comes to travel is how your baby will eat while you’re away. A healthy freezer stash to leave behind should add up to about a week’s worth of milk (for tips on how to build up your arsenal of frozen milk, click here). Don’t feel guilty about tapping into it for out-of-town travel, because if you’ll be pumping while traveling, you will easily replenish your supply. If you’re leaving your baby with a caregiver, express enough milk for each feeding, plus a little bit extra just in case. If your baby is already eating solids, you won’t need to give yourself quite as much wiggle room in exchange for an extra serving of sweet potatoes.
Pumping while traveling without your baby
We advise everyone to choose the right primary pump for their lifestyle, but if you’re hitting the road and your main pump isn’t mobile, you’ll need to make extra preparations. Either get a battery pack if your pump isn’t already portable, or invest in a hand pump for those moments when you can’t find an outlet. Remember: If you are taking a long flight, you will likely need to pump on the airplane. Your breast pump is considered a medical device, so it does *not* count as a carry on (which is awesome). Beyond the breast pump, it’s important to travel with a cooler to keep your supply cold while you’re on the road, plus backup accessories and storage bags for easy transport.
Storage and transportation
Once you reach your destination, having access to a refrigerator for milk storage is key. Contact your hotel ahead of time — you can even specifically ask for a medical-grade fridge to make sure the temperature stays cold enough. If you are only gone for a few days, you won’t need to freeze your milk (though it doesn’t hurt for traveling purposes).
Pack enough bags to store your milk, and bring a soft-sided cooler and ice packs for transporting it all home. If you’re only away for a few days, a standard refrigerator will be fine, and you can call your hotel ahead of time to make sure you’ll have access to one. If you will you be away for a week or longer, though, consider one of the boutique store and ship services that are gaining popularity, or arrange for a cold shipping package from FedEx. If you’re away for a work-related trip, know that many employers will reimburse for this expense.
While leaving an infant at home can be difficult, it’s empowering to know that you’re in good hands while taking on responsibilities away from home. If you have any questions about how to navigate travel while breastfeeding, requesting a consultation with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help.
We’re here for you, every step of the way. We work with your insurance to provide in-home, in-office, or telehealth visits with an IBCLC.
