If you’re breastfeeding and headed on a road trip, you’re probably wondering how you’ll manage everything. While you do have the option of pumping and preparing bottles in advance, your little one may prefer the nipple. In that case, it helps to know of a few different tips that can make breastfeeding in the car or on the road a breeze. While it will require a bit more effort on your behalf, you can do it with ease and without getting frustrated, making sure your little one doesn’t go hungry.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Always wear comfortable clothes that are easy to adjust. You don’t want to wear something too complicated that would require a lot of effort to get to your nipple for the baby to latch on and get milk. If you’re wearing loose-fitting, comfortable clothes or even a nursing bra, it makes the process that much easier for you! Save yourself the headache and frustration by knowing what to wear when you’re headed out on the road with a breastfeeding baby who will need you!
Related: Breastfeeding-Friendly Clothes Add to Your Wardrobe
I typically wear nursing bras, shirts with buttons, stretchy camisoles, wrap dresses, or shirts. I’ve found these work best.
Bring a Nursing Cover with You
Be sure to bring a breastfeeding cover with you. First, never feel like you have to cover your baby while they are feeding. Breastfeeding is natural, and there’s no reason to feel embarrassed about doing it. However, the cover is more for your sake. If you feel uncomfortable pulling a breast out in front of certain people, you may feel better about wearing a cover to keep that area concealed while your baby consumes the breastmilk. It’s great to have when you’re trying to keep your little one protected during feedings, too. More women are using covers because of the global pandemic because they want to prevent any outside germs from getting into the mouths of their babies. So, it’s up to you to decide if you’ll wear a cover or not, but it’s always a good thing to have when you’re on the go.
Practice Ways to Get Your Baby to Latch with Ease
When you’re on the go, you don’t want to spend a lot of time trying to get your baby to latch. However, it’s not always as simple as it sounds. Try to practice getting your baby to latch with ease while you’re at home. The more you practice, the more your baby will get used to the nipple and have an easier time latching to it when the baby is ready for feeding. Before you know it, you’ll become a breastfeeding pro who can handle anything!
Pull the Vehicle Over and Stop
When you hear your baby crying because they’re hungry, you may think that the best thing to do is grab the baby from their car seat and begin breastfeeding. However, if you’re breastfeeding the baby while the car is moving, you’re putting your little one at risk. While you don’t want to think of the worst possible scenario, the last thing you’d like to do is get into an accident while you have your baby in your lap and not secured in a car seat. So don’t put your little one at risk. Instead, be sure to have the driver of the vehicle pull over and come to a complete stop so that you can remove the baby from the car seat and begin breastfeeding.
Educate Yourself
One of the best things you can do when breastfeeding on the go is to educate yourself. Know your rights as a breastfeeding mom. You’ll want to make sure you know that you are protected legally as a breastfeeding mother. Each state is different, so keep this in mind as you educate yourself on breastfeeding on the go and in public.
Wear the Right Bra
If you’re going to breastfeed in public, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to wear the right bra. It is worth taking the time to find a breastfeeding bra that fits right. In fact, the right bra can make or break your breastfeeding experience. Ask your friends and family what their favorite nursing bras have been.
Related: Breastfeeding Tips for Breastfeeding Moms Who Travel Away from Their Baby
Plan Ahead When Possible
Although it’s not fun to always try and plan ahead, sometimes this makes the most sense. As a breastfeeding mom, it’s important to know when your baby ate last so that you can properly plan a feeding for them when on the go. Of course, breastfeeding doesn’t have limits on when and where you can do it. However, you do want to make sure you and the baby are both super comfortable for that next feeding.
Related: Road Trip With Kids: 10 Useful Tips For Your Family Adventure
These are some of the best breastfeeding tips that can help you when you’re on the go. When you’re on the road, you may find it difficult to breastfeed your baby, but there are different ways around it. Be sure to stop safely and use a cover if you want to feel extra protected while you feed your little one. Use these tips to your advantage when feeding your baby without the stress.