Breastfeeding hacks on your holiday road trip
November 16, 2023
Driving to your in-laws for the holidays with your breastfeeding baby? Taking your first weekend getaway with your little one while still nursing? Don't let the thought of a road trip overwhelm you! Here are 5 hacks to help you and your baby on the road.
Tip 1: Pack and organize your car
You should have seen what the trunk looked like the first time we took a three hour road trip from Tampa to Miami with our newborn! We had the stroller, pack and play, nursing pillow, pumps, blackout curtains. Everything you could imagine. Don't be afraid to bring things you need for your trip, but also don't overthink it like I did.
Pack the essentials for nursing. If you're pumping that means start with all your pump parts. There are several bags, like these bags from our friends at Be My Breast Friend that can help you organize those parts.
-Pump parts
-Containers to store milk (and something to label them with the date)
-Nursing pillow
-Water bottle
-Snacks
-Breastfeeding friendly clothes
Our Nursing Queen sweatshirts allow for easy access to pump or nurse on the go. You can open the zipper as far or little as you want.
Tip 2: Storage for your milk
If you plan to pump along the way, make sure you figure out how you want to store your breastmilk. According to the CDC, freshly expressed or pumped breastmilk can be kept at room temperature for up to four hours. If you'll be traveling longer than that, you'll want to look at bringing a small cooler with ice packs to keep your breastmilk cold. The CDC notes that "breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours when you are traveling. At your destination, use the milk right away, store it in the refrigerator, or freeze it."
Click here to look at the full guidelines from the CDC when it comes to storing your milk on the go.
Tip 3: Take care of YOU!
Those snacks and water bottle we told you to bring - use them! It is so important to stay hydrated and keep your supply up.
Tip 4: Plan your stop options ahead of time
As you map out your road trip, look for places along the way to stop. If you can, keep to the baby's schedule and try to pullover around the time when he or she normally feeds. This will help make sure your child doesn't get too hungry (and thus fussy) in the car. If you're pumping, keep your normal routine to help your breasts from becoming engorged.
Tip 5: Find a place to pull over where you feel comfortable to nurse
You may choose to pull over and nurse or pump in your car. Or, maybe you could find a place you feel comfortable inside a restaurant or at the park. Keep in mind there are breastfeeding laws in all 50 states to protect your right to feed your baby anywhere at any time -- covered or uncovered. That includes public or private locations.
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