The benefits of breastfeeding are well known and often touted. Looking at these same advantages from a traveler’s perspective is revealing. For instance, nursing can often comfort a baby in unfamiliar surroundings. Even more importantly, breast milk contains antibodies that protect babies from bacteria and viruses, which can be crucial when traveling to certain places, or during infectious times of the year, like flu season. This protective quality in breast milk was borne out in one recent study, where breast fed babies experienced significantly less gastrointestinal disease than bottle-fed babies. Still other clinical studies have shown that breastfed babies have a better response to immunizations, like polio and
influenza
, another key benefit when traveling.
When traveling out of the country, immunizations or medications may be necessary for both you and your baby. Where you travel will determine which types of immunizations are necessary. While diseases like diphtheria,
tetanus
, and
pertussis
are rare in the United States, they may be common in other countries and require a vaccination or a booster. Certain developing countries may require immunizations against diseases like
hepatitis A
,
hepatitis B
, influenza, Japanese encephalitis,
typhoid
, and yellow fever.
If you are nursing, you can still be immunized safely and effectively. Vaccines won’t affect the safety of breastfeeding, nor will breastfeeding interfere with how the vaccine works. Keep in mind however, that some vaccines can’t be given to infants below certain ages, and not all vaccines offer the baby immunity through breast milk. For example, yellow fever,
measles
and meningococcal meningitis immunizations do not confer immunity through breast milk and may be unavailable to certain young babies.
Antimalarials are another medication that must be given to both you and your baby. If traveling to an area where
malaria
is common, make sure you and your baby both receive anti-malaria drugs, as the amount of medication transferred through your breast milk will not protect your baby sufficiently.
Nursing moms who travel know that milk output may fluctuate because of a change of schedule, sleep disruptions, different eating patterns, and other stressors. Increasing your fluid intake and avoiding too much alcohol and caffeine will help you maintain a good milk output.
Another potential dehydrator is traveler’s diarrhea. If you get sick, it is especially important that you increase your fluid intake, as continuing to breastfeed will lower your baby’s risk of developing diarrhea.
If you are planning on pumping or bringing stored milk with you, it’s important to be familiar with storage guidelines. Breast milk can be stored at room temperature for up to ten hours, Refrigerated milk is good for up to eight days if it stays within a temperature range of 32-39 degrees, and frozen milk can last for up to two weeks. Choose a sterile container to store the milk and label it with a date. Your body produces milk according to what your baby needs developmentally, so try to use the freshest milk possible.
In the final analysis, traveling with your baby may not be as easy as traveling alone, but with adequate planning and preparation, you can safely show your baby the world. Here is a quick checklist of things to do before your trip:
- Talk to a travel doctor or a travel specialist about which immunizations you and your baby will need. He or she will take into account the baby’s age and the types of diseases he or she may be exposed to before deciding whether to give a travel-specific vaccine or to accelerate the administration of your baby's normal childhood vaccines.
- Be sure you know how to manage diarrhea—for both you and your baby. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of diarrhea for your baby, but it does not eliminate this disease. You should know how to prepare and use rehydration solutions. Be sure to be especially careful about washing your own hands: if your baby is drinking only breast milk handwashing should greatly reduce his or her risk of becoming infected with a diarrhea-causing organism.
- Talk to your health insurance company about out-of-area coverage and purchase additional travel insurance if needed.
- Pack sterile water for supplemented feedings or premixed cans of formula.
- If you are supplementing your baby’s feedings, bring powdered formula and mix it with boiled water, or use a premixed canned formula.
- When traveling by plane, breastfeeding during take off and landing will help equalize the pressure in the baby’s ears and reduce the risk of ear pain.
- When traveling by car, take advantage of the car’s sleep inducing abilities, and drive during the baby’s usual sleep times, or at night; making frequent stops along the road to breastfeed, stretch your legs, and get the baby out of his or her car seat.
