How to Nurse a Baby While Traveling by Car

You are about to embark on a trip but are nervous about being away from home with a nursing baby. Take a deep breath. It is actually much easier to travel with a nursing baby than one who is using a bottle. Prepare with the nursing necessities and knowledge of what works best for you and it will make the trip much easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Travel breast pump, if desired
• Comfortable place in the car for you and the baby
• Nursing or large shirts
• Receiving blanket
• Nursing bra
• Water
• Pillow or Boppy Pillow
• Nursing pads

Preparation

1. Know before you leave where you are most comfortable breastfeeding.
2. Prepare a space in the car to breastfeed when stopped at a gas station, restaurant or rest stop.
3. Pack the items you may need when nursing and store the items in an easily accessible area.

On the Trip

4. Pull the car into well-lighted areas when nursing in the car. Although you want privacy, safety is more important.
5. Nurse while waiting to eat.
6. Lean over the baby and nurse while the baby is in the carseat if you must nurse while the car is moving.
7. Allow plenty of time to stop for nursing sessions.
8. Keep hydrated!

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a nursing bra.
• Wear nursing or loose tops that allow the baby to go under the shirt.
• If available, family restrooms and dressing rooms are great, typically quiet places to nurse a baby.
• Bring a travel pump and pump while someone else is driving. Then you may bottle feed in the carseat if necessary.
• Nurse with the baby in a sling.
• It is illegal (and dangerous) to have a baby out of his carseat while the vehicle is in motion.