By Leslie S.
Editor’s Note: It’s the season for travel! Whether you’re going around the world or around the block, Leslie shares helpful hints for leaving home with a nursling.
Travel can be daunting, even for adults. Adding tiny humans to that mix can feel overwhelming. For those who are curious about family travel, I hope our experiences will assure you that traveling as a family can be extremely rewarding, and breastfeeding only makes the adventure better.
I am a nursing mother of two, aged three years old and ten months. I have traveled with my daughter since she was four months old! Our first trip was a few nights in the Hudson Valley, just the two of us. We hiked, jogged trails, and explored the towns that characterize the region. I have a vivid memory of eating in a cozy diner together in New Paltz. Another morning, I remember pulling over to nurse after leaf peeping in Minnewaska State Park. Since that trip, we have traveled all over the world. We’ve been from Iceland to Costa Rica, Norway to London to Jose Ignacio, Uruguay. In March, we ventured to Chile, for our first big trip as a family of four.
Nursing is the ultimate secret weapon when traveling with little ones. Nursing has provided flexibility, comfort to my children, opportunities for meeting mothers around the world, and the simplicity of enjoying a beautiful place with my baby at my breast. The dyad and now triad relationship I have with my nurslings has empowered me to feel confident and comfortable taking my children to new places. It has also seemed to provide comfort to my children and supported their curiosity and independence in trying new things.
Flexibility:
Nursing provides the ultimate flexibility. When my daughter was eight months old, our little family was unexpectedly forced to extend our stay in Costa Rica. The peace of mind knowing that my baby was healthy, safe, and fed despite the major change in our plans offered an enormous relief.
Comfort:
Travel naturally takes us beyond our typical comfort zones, a wonderful, but sometimes exhausting thing even for us adults! My daughter’s first experience at the beach left a lot to be desired—it was cold, she didn’t like the feel of the sand between her toes, she was terrified of vast water that moved irregularly and came towards her. All she wanted was “gokey” (our word for nursing). Little by little, she dipped her toes, then feet, then ankles in. By the end of the trip…and a lot of gokey…, she was wading in on her own. In the face of so much unknown, maintaining the consistency of nursing provides comfort and confidence.
Meeting Moms from Around the World:
Breastfeeding is an experience that nursing parents share all over the world. The number of women who have approached me while I was nursing my children in parks, on planes, in restaurants and lounging on beaches is reassuring and has led to personal conversations and insights into parenting around the world.
The Joy of Connecting in Beautiful Places:
So much of nursing is about my connection with my children. Even in the most hectic of situations, the opportunity to put my feet up and re-center allows me the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the moment. Doing this in a beautiful place is extremely rewarding. I don’t remember the stressful times as much as I can vividly recall the moments of peace when I’m happy, relaxed, holding my baby, and feeling accomplished.
Nutrition:
So much of the joy of travel is in trying new foods. While some babies will enjoy the opportunity to sample fresh finds, others may be a little thrown off by new items on the menu. Breastmilk is an amazing option to ensure babies receive all the nutrition they need, while supplementing with local flavors.
Considering Your Needs:
Breastfeeding makes travel easier, but as a nursing parent, it’s important to consider what you need in order to nurse successfully in a new place. It’s important to be honest with yourself and what you are comfortable with. First and foremost, consider your own nutrition. Depending on the destination and your dietary needs, be sure to pack healthy snacks and high-protein bites in case of delays, long drives, or limited menus.
Next, consider and plan for your own physical comfort and how you’ll be traveling. What can you wear that will help you feel most comfortable and relaxed? That being said, how you get there is but one piece of the travel puzzle. Think through your ideal seat configuration and prioritize your comfort as you book your seats.
Breastfeeding has not only made traveling with my children easier, but it has enhanced each trip I have taken since becoming a mom. The memories I have of exploring the world with them are precious, and I hope the practice of pushing beyond our typical comfort zones will empower my babies to take on the world long after they’ve weaned.
Have you traveled with your babies? Send your stories to Kylie at [email protected]
Related stories:
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
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Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Posted: June 25, 2024 by Yael Breimer
Raising Happy Nursing Travelers
By Leslie S.
Editor’s Note: It’s the season for travel! Whether you’re going around the world or around the block, Leslie shares helpful hints for leaving home with a nursling.
I am a nursing mother of two, aged three years old and ten months. I have traveled with my daughter since she was four months old! Our first trip was a few nights in the Hudson Valley, just the two of us. We hiked, jogged trails, and explored the towns that characterize the region. I have a vivid memory of eating in a cozy diner together in New Paltz. Another morning, I remember pulling over to nurse after leaf peeping in Minnewaska State Park. Since that trip, we have traveled all over the world. We’ve been from Iceland to Costa Rica, Norway to London to Jose Ignacio, Uruguay. In March, we ventured to Chile, for our first big trip as a family of four.
Nursing is the ultimate secret weapon when traveling with little ones. Nursing has provided flexibility, comfort to my children, opportunities for meeting mothers around the world, and the simplicity of enjoying a beautiful place with my baby at my breast. The dyad and now triad relationship I have with my nurslings has empowered me to feel confident and comfortable taking my children to new places. It has also seemed to provide comfort to my children and supported their curiosity and independence in trying new things.
Flexibility:
Nursing provides the ultimate flexibility. When my daughter was eight months old, our little family was unexpectedly forced to extend our stay in Costa Rica. The peace of mind knowing that my baby was healthy, safe, and fed despite the major change in our plans offered an enormous relief.
Travel naturally takes us beyond our typical comfort zones, a wonderful, but sometimes exhausting thing even for us adults! My daughter’s first experience at the beach left a lot to be desired—it was cold, she didn’t like the feel of the sand between her toes, she was terrified of vast water that moved irregularly and came towards her. All she wanted was “gokey” (our word for nursing). Little by little, she dipped her toes, then feet, then ankles in. By the end of the trip…and a lot of gokey…, she was wading in on her own. In the face of so much unknown, maintaining the consistency of nursing provides comfort and confidence.
Meeting Moms from Around the World:
Breastfeeding is an experience that nursing parents share all over the world. The number of women who have approached me while I was nursing my children in parks, on planes, in restaurants and lounging on beaches is reassuring and has led to personal conversations and insights into parenting around the world.
The Joy of Connecting in Beautiful Places:
So much of nursing is about my connection with my children. Even in the most hectic of situations, the opportunity to put my feet up and re-center allows me the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the moment. Doing this in a beautiful place is extremely rewarding. I don’t remember the stressful times as much as I can vividly recall the moments of peace when I’m happy, relaxed, holding my baby, and feeling accomplished.
Nutrition:
So much of the joy of travel is in trying new foods. While some babies will enjoy the opportunity to sample fresh finds, others may be a little thrown off by new items on the menu. Breastmilk is an amazing option to ensure babies receive all the nutrition they need, while supplementing with local flavors.
Breastfeeding makes travel easier, but as a nursing parent, it’s important to consider what you need in order to nurse successfully in a new place. It’s important to be honest with yourself and what you are comfortable with. First and foremost, consider your own nutrition. Depending on the destination and your dietary needs, be sure to pack healthy snacks and high-protein bites in case of delays, long drives, or limited menus.
Next, consider and plan for your own physical comfort and how you’ll be traveling. What can you wear that will help you feel most comfortable and relaxed? That being said, how you get there is but one piece of the travel puzzle. Think through your ideal seat configuration and prioritize your comfort as you book your seats.
Breastfeeding has not only made traveling with my children easier, but it has enhanced each trip I have taken since becoming a mom. The memories I have of exploring the world with them are precious, and I hope the practice of pushing beyond our typical comfort zones will empower my babies to take on the world long after they’ve weaned.
Have you traveled with your babies? Send your stories to Kylie at [email protected]
Related stories:
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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