If you're traveling with your baby, you don't need much! You already have your breasts with you, and the milk is already warm. If you're on a plane or train, you may want to take a cover-up if you're uncomfortable with the idea that the passenger next to you is elbow-to-elbow.
If you're not with your baby, the most important pieces of luggage will be your breast pump and a cooler pack. If you're on a plane or train, you'll probably need to use a hand pump or one that is battery-powered. If you're traveling by car, you're in luck! Most electric pumps come with car chargers (or they can be bought separately).
If you have your baby with you, you're already prepared. Just make sure you have enough burp cloths, extra baby clothes, and diapers.
If you don't have your baby with you, you'll need to schedule your pumpings around the times that the baby typically would be feeding. Also, depending on how long you plan to be away from your baby, you should formulate a plan about what to do with your milk. Are you away for a short weekend getaway? It should be fine to store your milk and bring back home with you. Are you away in Europe for two weeks on business? There are many moms who have overnighted their milk on dry ice!
No worries! After the Delta Airlines debacle of 2006, many women did not want to attempt to breastfeed on a plane for fear of being kicked off. You are actually very well-protected by law to breastfeed in public. You don't have to move your seat if someone complains. They can move theirs!
Aside from legal issues, breastfeeding on a plane is the best way to relax and calm your baby. It helps to avoid ear discomfort from air pressure changes if you breastfeed during takeoff and landing. The sucking and swallowing relieves the pressure and makes your baby a great traveling companion, which makes everyone happy.
This is a very nice way to travel with a breastfeeding baby. The seats are usually very spacious and you can feed your baby very comfortably. It's also nice because you're not bound to your seat. Walking around to calm or burp the baby adds even more to the relaxing experience.
It is not recommended, for obvious reasons, to breastfeed in a moving car. If you're taking a road trip, you'll have to pull over to the side of the road or to a rest stop to feed. The great news is that babies tend to sleep beautifully in the car (which is why people talk about driving their colicky babies around), so after a solid feed they're sure to knock right out.
Trick-of-the-trade: If you've got a crying baby in the car and your driving partner needs to run into a store, turn on the windshield wipers. It mimics the sound of your heartbeat that the baby hears in the womb and immediately calms him down.
