Embarking on a road trip with your little one can seem like a daunting task. But with some helpful tips and preparation, you can hit the road with your little one. As experienced lactation consultants (and moms ourselves) we’ve curated a quick guide to traveling with breastmilk. From optimizing feeding schedules to safe storage practices, let’s navigate this adventure together.
1. Plan the drive around baby’s sleep cycle.
Consider aligning with your baby’s sleep cycle and doing a night time drive. A pre-trip bedtime feed followed by placing your baby in the car seat can lead to an extended and restful drive. During daytime travels, plan stops every 2-3 hours for feeding breaks, ensuring your baby gets adequate nutrition and opportunities to stretch
2. Make sure you’re safely storing any breast milk you travel with.
Traveling with breastmilk can be difficult. Our first tip is storing breast milk at the right temperature. Research supports the range of 32-39°F (0-4°C) for maintaining milk quality. Soft-sided coolers with ice packs can be helpful when loading up a tightly packed car, and insulated thermoses designed for chilling breastmilk are also available. It is safe for fresh breastmilk to be out for up to 4 hours (although chilling is preferred). And, when traveling with bags of frozen milk, they are still considered frozen if they contain any ice crystals so can refreeze at the other end unless fully thawed. Cleaning pump parts and bottles on the road can be made simpler with compact travel kits with mini brushes! Or, you may also choose to use quick clean wipes that don’t require rinsing.
3. Simplify feeding on-the-go with portable breast pumps.
Pumping while on the road is made easier with portable or wearable breast pumps such as the Lansinoh wearable pump. Maintaining milk supply is critical, so if opting to feed your little one a bottle while driving, incorporate pumping sessions at regular feeding intervals. Extras like additional pump parts and storage bags ensure you’re well-prepared. And if driving at night, be sure you have adequate lighting to avoid nipple damage!
With these insights, you’re well-equipped for a smooth road trip. Whether it’s a sunny daytime journey or a tranquil nighttime drive, these tried-and-true tips ensure a confident and enjoyable travel experience.
