If there is a long period of time where you can't be with your baby, consider traveling with some fresh cabbage leaves to help with engorgement, and some ibuprofen to help relieve pain and inflammation. Replace cabbage leaves as soon as they wilt, and be sure to carry plenty of dry nursing pads to collect leakage. There are bathrooms to manually express some milk during your flight if necessary, and at airports.
While at the airport, you may be able to locate a feeding room for babies, where you will probably be able to plug in an electric breastpump and pump in comfort if not in absolute privacy. If all else fails, mothers have also pumped in airport lounges using baby blankets covering their front. Although this isn't ideal, you can't predict flight schedules and how long you'll be forced to wait in an airport. And unless your pump is equipped with a battery pack, the option of using the restroom is out for many moms (plus unsavory!)
Traveling without your baby can be difficult, especially in the first 6 months of your baby's life when your milk supply is controlled as much by hormones as by supply and demand. And every woman's reaction to a separation will be a bit different. So be prepared for engorgement, and be prepared to spend quite a bit of time pumping during your travels.
Warm wishes on your trip for you and your baby!
| © 1999 Paula Bobbett Last Update: January 24, 1999 | |