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All About Breastfeeding Series

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Nursing on the Road

It is amazing how many parents have concerns about breastfeeding when they decide to travel with their nursing baby.

By The Orange County Breastfeeding Coalition Published: June, 2005

It is amazing how many parents have concerns about breastfeeding when they decide to travel with their nursing baby. True, there are a couple of questions that should be answered before you take off, but overall we can say that nursing is the ideal food while traveling. It goes wherever you go and is always at the right temperature and free from harmful bacteria.

Whether you are traveling by car, plane, train or boat, look at your baby and respond to him when he’s hungry.

When driving a car, take a break about every two hours or so to rest, feed the baby and give the little one some stretch time, out of the car seat. Replenish yourself with food and drink before you continue.

When traveling by plane, you can feed the baby anytime. During takeoff and landing, nursing can even help prevent earaches in babies that can be the result from differences in pressure.

Because the air in an airplane is very dry, make sure both you and baby drink often (ask for double the amount of drinks from

the flight attendant). In a small airplane seat, adjust positioning to a more upright position for the baby because of limited space.

A train is most comfortable when nursing. Space is less of an issue than in a plane.

In a different region, water can cause problems in the digestive tract. If you get diarrhea due to different foods or drinks, make sure you stay well hydrated by drinking small amounts regularly. Baby can continue to nurse without a problem. In fact, nursing may help protect against getting the stomach flu. Also, with breastmilk, there is no chance of getting infected through contaminated water.

Breastmilk is the best drink for baby; it contains a lot of water. Simply breastfeed more often to have the baby get more fluid if you travel to warmer than normal regions.

The Orange County Breastfeeding Coalition (for more information, call 949.856.3058 or visit www.ocbreastfeedingcoalition.org).

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