We haven’t done much travelling in recent years. Aside from our regular camping trips to Bellevue Beach and Gros Morne each summer, my husband and I haven’t really gone any great distance with our two kids in tow. Well that changed last week when we decided to take a few days and visit family in Toronto. The trip was quick, busy, and quite enjoyable. It made me realize how mothering through breastfeeding really makes travelling with little kids very easy.
The best part about flying with a nursing child is that you can nurse them during takeoff and landing to avoid any ear discomfort. I tried to carefully time it so that the baby wanted to latch on just as the engines revved up and then again when the seatbelt sign came on for landing. I found that even if baby wasn’t really interested in drinking much milk, she enjoyed the comfort of being snuggled in when the plane took off and things got noisy. Nursing on the plane was also an easy way to get baby to fall asleep at nap time. The close proximity to other passengers meant that I got some funny and some interested looks. Most of the time though, people just smiled and looked away. I found it great to have a couple of blankets that we brought with us for arm support, especially when baby fell asleep and I had to sit in the same position for an hour.
I nursed baby in many places on our trip- the airport, the mall, our relatives’ house, museums, the zoo – and never once saw another baby being breastfed. I felt assured that breastfeeding was being recognized, though, by the dedicated “Nursing Rooms” I saw in the mall, the science center, and at the zoo. Each of these rooms provided a changing pad and a comfy chair where you could nurse in comfort and in private if you wished. It made me wonder if providing these rooms only serves to perpetuate the idea that breastfeeding is something that needs to be done in private. Was I wrong to nurse my child in the sun, on a park bench, in the middle of the Toronto Zoo, when a comfortable room was provided for nursing far away from everyone else? In the end I decided to nurse wherever and whenever baby wanted and that these rooms really do have some value for women who don’t yet feel comfortable enough to nurse in public. (I often used the nursing room at Sears in the Avalon Mall when my oldest was a baby).
Here’s a photo of me breastfeeding by Buddha in the foyer of the Royal Ontario Museum. It was a beautiful place to sit and nurse: tall ceilings, vast hallways, beautiful statues. It was made even better by the hundreds of people streaming past, going about their own business. Baby fell peacefully asleep in my arms and I sat back and took in my surroundings.
Janet found nursing her youngest while travelling not only easy and convenient, but a real life-saver. As she says, ” this is a photo of me breastfeeding my youngest (18 months at the time) in rural Papua New Guinea on the back of a truck with an oil drum rolling around. He was sustained on breastmilk, bananas, and papaya. Thank God I was breastfeeding him as we did not always have access to clean water and electricity.”
Any thoughts on nursing while travelling?
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Felicie is a teacher turned work at home mama to two busy little angels, aged 22 months and 4 and a half years. She is a proud member of La Leche League Canada and has helped to organize three World B[..]
I haven’t travelled with my one and only yet, so I can’t comment on the convenience of breastfeeding while travelling. I just wanted to celebrate with you the notion of breastfeeding our children anytime, anywhere, for any reason (hunger, nap time, comfort, etc.)! I think the photos of you and Janet breastfeeding your tots while travelling are absolutely beautiful and empowering!
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with designated nursing rooms, just as I don’t think there’s anything wrong with nursing your child out in public on a bench. What IS wrong is when people ask nursing mothers to relocate to another area.
Hi! I’m glad you posted! I came on to see if you had any tips! We are leaving in 10 days to take baby on her first plane ride to Cape Breton, and then 6 wks of travel around NS, and back by plane first week of July! Too bad we can’t come over to visit you!! Anyway my stance on the nursing rooms is this: I have an easily distracted kid who when obviously hungry won’t settle down!! She gets more and more wound up and then flips out! Those nursing rooms help me settle her into a quiet space where she WILL eat…frankly I’m not shy and would happily nurse with the group I came with–but the kid won’t eat until she’s in a quiet place…
I had taken an ill infant to Toronto and had to manage all of the baggage that is necesary for infant travel these days (car seats baby bags and in this case, even a cardiac monitor).Being able to breastfeed was a huge relief as a breastmilk substitute and the worries of contamination would have been an added stress,especially on the return flight, as I was travelling alone.
It was a definite comfort to the baby in the bustle of an unfamaliar airport and the cramped space of an airplane.
I remember being able to settle the baby so securely , at one point, but then being unable to move from that position for an extended period of time. That was right about when the flight attendant passed me one of those “yucky-airplane- but I’m straving and it looks delicious now- meals”. An embarassed, but sweet gentleman, after coxing from his wife, cut up my rubber chicken and helped me to reposition my tray, so that I could nurse the baby without disturbing her and still eat, myself. Definitely a memorable moment for all of us!
Did I mention that we landed in an ice storm and St John’s lost it’s power for 4 days ?
Breastfeeding was a life-saving benefit!
Hi Jenn, I too had a baby who would only breastfeed in a quiet place and sometimes only lying down! I found having access to my car helpful as a quiet spot. I have travelled extensively with my four children, once all the way to Australia on my own when my youngest was 18 months.Breastfeeding certainly helped and I even managed to watch a movie while my little one slept on my breast. I laughed when I read Janet FB’s comment about not being able to move on the plane and I certainly had to be very inventive to breastfeed, eat and drink in the very cramped space. Most people are very helpful to mothers with young children. Make sure you accept all offers of help getting on and off plane to carry your luggage etc. I liked a window seat rather than aisle or middle as at least I had one side to myself. The aisle seat was always problematic as the attendants knocked my arm and baby’s head as they passed by. Good luck with your travels. I am sure it will work out well for you.
Hmm what helps a distracted baby at the breast? Breastfeeding in a quiet car, or away from the crowd if you are at a beach or park, using those blankets/ slings/ wraps/ covers that are available to visually block out distractions. A sense of humor is essential and will bring you a long way. Accept all help from friendly fellow travellers. Take advantage of frequent quiet nursing sessions to catch up on your own sleep (this was always my favorite trick .. “well, she won’t stay asleep without me so I’ll just stay here with her for now”.. “Oh dear, I must have ‘accidentally’ fallen asleep!” Enjoy your travels!
I nurse everywhere and am not the least bit concerned who is watching. If anyone is uncomfortable with it, I feel it is their issue and not mine. I like to think I am doing my own little part for women, to encourage breastfeeding as being a normal thing to do in public.
I have definitely had my struggles with breastfeeding. I had yeast mastitis with my first child and so pumped for several months before putting him back to the breast. With my second child. I developed chronic sinus infections that I was told could be hormonal and may clear up when I finish breastfeeding. Talk about incentive to NOT breastfeed! Several rounds of antibiotics and nine months later I am still breastfeeding. It has always been very important to me to breastfeed my children – there was really no other option for me. I believe it is the beginning of a long list of sacrifices we make to ensure our children are the healthiest they can be(haha).
I have to agree that nursing my kids while travelling was soo easy. I currently live in Nova Scotia but my family is in Newfoundland so I have made frequent trips back to the province. It was a saving grace for plane rides to comfort them and get them to sleep etc… I relied heavily on it when my babies were fussy too. Both my babies were big eaters.
Thanks for sharing everyone!