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You may have stumbled across this post because you’ll be travelling without baby for work or any other reason. It’s always best to keep your baby with you, especially for breastfeeding, but that’s not always possible and this article is here to help make it easier for you!
Build A Freezer Stash
As soon as you find out you’ll be traveling without your baby you should start building a freezer stash, you rather have more than less. When I thought I would be travelling without my baby, I calculated how much she was supposed to have a day multiplied by the amount of days I would be away, I then divided it by the amount of days left for my trip and it worked out to 400ml a day. It seemed impossible to pump that much alongside breastfeeding but I used to feed on one side whilst pumping on the other, then pump the side I fed on to fully empty – I used to freeze immediately, if there wasn’t enough to fill milk storage cups or milk storage bags, I used to refrigerate and top up (with milk of the same temperature) thereafter freeze. I used to also have brewers yeast tablets and oats.
For amazing tips on breastfeeding and pumping click to read my post here!
Keep Your Supply Without Pumping & Dumping
To keep your supply up, you need to be removing milk as if you were feeding your baby. Here are a few ways to make it easier to pump on the go:-
- Use a wearable breast pump so you can pump anywhere discreetly
- Fill into milk storage bags, thereafter, place into an insulated cooler bag with ice packs.
- Store in your hotel freezer – follow our storage guidelines
If you haven’t expressed enough milk, or wish for your expressed milk to not go to waste, shipping breast milk is a great solution for this. Breast milk needs to be packaged well to avoid spillage during transit. You can use Fedex for shipping your expressed milk. Read more details here. You can also use Milk Stork.
Pumping Tips & Tricks
- Pump every 2-3 hours and once at night.
- Keep snacks, water, burp cloths & wet wipes close to where you usually pump so that you won’t have to look for them whilst pumping.
- You can also use a Hakaa silicone breast pump to collect milk leaking from the other side if you are using a single pump. Thereafter, pump that side till empty.
- Hands-on pumping can help to increase the amount of milk you get. It can also help increase the amount of milk you produce in the future.
- Some breast pumps will only last a few hundred hours till the motor has to be replaced. The longest-lasting breast pump is the Spectra S1 or S2 with a lifespan of 1500 hours.
- Add a date and time to your expressed milk, offer the oldest milk first, as long as it follows the storage guidelines here.
- If you are planning to return to work or go on vacation without your baby, begin expressing and storing a few weeks prior.
- The more you express, the more milk your body produces.
- Use the Medela Quick Clean Wipes to easily clean your breast pump parts
- Purchase extra parts for your pump, so you won’t have to worry about cleaning while out and about. Keep a wash bag for the used parts to wash and sterilize when you are able.
- After pumping, store your milk immediately into cups or bags and then into a fridge or freezer, if you are out then into an insulated cooler with ice packs. If you use Spectra, the Lansinoh storage bags fit directly onto the pump!
- Pump flanges does not fit all, and you may need to purchase them separately based on the size required. If you require guidance, a lactation consultant can help with what size to purchase.
- If you want to combine freshly expressed milk and frozen milk, make sure you cool the freshly expressed milk thoroughly before adding it to the frozen milk to reduce bacterial growth.
- Wear nursing tops, nursing bras & use a nursing cover to make your pumping and nursing easier when you are out.
- Take care of yourself, stay hydrated and well-nourished. Nap when you need to. Stress isn’t good for milk production.
Traveling With Milk
Traveling with breast milk can be both rewarding and challenging for breastfeeding mothers. Whether you’re embarking on a short road trip or a long-haul flight, careful planning can make the journey smoother. Packing breast milk storage bags or containers, a portable cooler with ice packs, and a breast pump if necessary are essentials. Ensure you’re familiar with airport regulations regarding the transportation of breast milk, as well as any specific rules for your destination. Prioritizing hygiene, labeling, and proper storage can help maintain the integrity of your expressed breast milk. Whether you’re traveling for work or leisure, rest assured that with a bit of preparation, you can continue to provide your baby with the nourishment they need while on the go.
You can carry freshly expressed milk in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. After arriving at your destination, use the milk right away, store it in the refrigerator, or freeze it.
In the world of motherhood, the bond between you and your baby remains strong no matter the miles that separate you. Traveling without your breastfed baby doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your breastfeeding journey. By following these tips and guidelines on traveling with breast milk, you can ensure that every drop of your liquid gold is safely preserved for your little one’s return. So, as you explore new horizons and make cherished memories, take comfort in knowing that your commitment to providing the best nourishment for your baby remains unwavering, no matter where your adventures take you.
Safe travels, Mama!
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