A nursing mom who is traveling with her baby, will surely appreciate the fact that she will be spared the hassle of preparing formula for her hungry infant. In fact, she is in the grandest position of being able to feed her child on demand with the best nourishment no money can buy.
Nevertheless, as the nature of nursing will have it, there are challenges that need to be faced such as aching backs and arms, sore nipples, leaky breasts and so on, regardless if you are traveling or not. In regards to this, there are a handful of essential items that you’ll find useful to have when you’re on the go with your nursing baby.
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Aches away: Nursing Pillow
Yes, breastfeeding may be an act of nourishing your baby, but it’s also an art of not hurting your back or neck!
Carrying and nursing a baby, if done in an uncomfortable position and for too long, invites physical issues like aches and pains. Holding your baby up to your breasts for long periods of time can put considerable strain on your back, shoulders and even arms.
While you may have a favourite nursing chair which is comfortable for you to use at home, it may not be easy to find a comfy place to sit and nurse elsewhere. We suggest you keep your nursing pillow on standby with you at all times. These pillows are made to ease the physical burden of carrying a baby up to your breast for a feed. You can use one to prop baby up to the ideal level to your breast for nursing. Your baby can also be placed on your lap atop a nursing pillow. There are also nursing pillows that can be strapped around your waist for that. Different nursing pillows have different functions, so do think about what you’re looking for in one before buying.
Note: While nursing pillows do not completely omit the need to hold your baby while feeding, they do help lessen the strain quite a bit and take considerable weight off a nursing mom’s arms. They also help lessen strain on the back and shoulders.
The close comfort of baby carriers
Naturally, there will be a bigger need to hold or carry your baby more often or for longer periods of time when you are travelling. As a nursing mom, you will find it helpful to take along a sling or soft infant carrier. Invest in a good one which is comfortable for both baby and you.
- Remember to test a carrier for yourself before making a purchase, for one that works for a friend and her baby might not necessarily work for you and yours.
- Investing in a comfortable baby carrier to use when travelling with your nursing baby can help:
- Ease the burden of carrying your baby in your arms for extended periods of time
- Increase opportunities for unrestricted nursing
- Maintain skin-to-skin contact with your baby
- Protect your baby from possible impact from people and objects
Nursing pads for leaky breasts
Ask any lactating mom and they will surely list leaky breasts as one of the problems associated with breastfeeding. Leaky breasts does little harm other than to one’s vanity. Many may not mind the thought of strategically placed wet spots on their blouses but just as many would rather avoid them, especially when in public!
It’s hard to say when milk-engorged breasts will start to leak, so it’s always better to be ready for the situation. One way you can avoid wet patches on your clothing is by using nursing pads, also known as breasts pads. These can be used with any nursing bras or even ordinary bras. Nursing pads are normally almost invisible under a bra. They are made absorbent enough to soak up leaks from lactating breasts.
It’s always a good idea to include a few pairs of these pads in your nursing bag when you’re on the go, for you will never know when you’re going to need them or when you might have to change the ones you have on. Note: Nursing pads can be bought in reusable and disposable varieties.
Nursing cream for sore nipples
It can be frustrating and downright torturous to try to feed a hungry baby when your nipples are sore and throbbing.
Sore and cracked nipples are actually nothing new in the breastfeeding scene. Many nursing mothers go through some level of nipple discomfort at some point or another during their breastfeeding endeavor.
Improper positioning or latching of a baby’s mouth on the breasts, prolonged moisture from sucking and also loss of natural oils from the skin are all possible causes of sore and cracked nipples.
A good nursing cream, applied regularly or as advised by your doctor will help to heal and ease the discomforts of sore and dry nipples. Some of these creams can also be used to prep nipples up for breastfeeding and helps to keep nipples supple and healthy so that they are less inclined to become damaged due to breastfeeding. A tube of nursing cream is definitely a must-have item for travelling moms.
Travel and Nurse in style
Lets face it. Boobs are still boobs and while nursing is as natural as breathing, flashing one’s breast for the sake of feeding one’s baby is still not quite acceptable in our community.
Nursing wear will make your life simpler, especially for moms on the go. With so many styles available these days, it would not be a problem to find some flattering pieces that will suit your preference.
Nursing tops
A fine quality nursing top with strategic opening can turn out to be a nursing mom’s best friend while traveling. Having said that, it wouldn’t hurt to have a few of these tops from different styles, cuts, colors, etc. When choosing a nursing top, it will be best to try it on to see if the style and cut does justice to your figure.
Do not forget about all the possible awkward positions you might find yourself in while breastfeeding your baby in public. A good nursing top should allow easy access to your breast from various positions while still retaining a certain modesty to it.
Nursing bras
It should be common knowledge by now how important that you get a suitable, comfortable and supportive bra that fits! Choose those with cups that can open and close easily, so that your little one can nurse comfortably (and for you to feel comfortable too!). It’s essential that the bra is supportive but not constrictive as this can cause medical problems like mastitis or blocked ducts.
Cover up gracefully
If you are conscious about the public eye while breastfeeding, consider a nursing poncho. They are also called nursing aprons or covers. This is basically a light ‘blanket’ which you can use to keep your breastfeeding, literally, “under cover”.
Nursing ponchos come in many styles and patterns to choose from. Some are worn in a basic shawl-like manner, lightly wrapping the wearer and her nursing bundle of joy under its light, soft fabric. Some are made to look like an apron or a big bib.
One will never run out of stylish patterns to choose from for the variety available in the market is impressive. The nursing poncho, in fact, seems to be in competition with the diaper bag as a nursing mom’s fashion accessory.
Nursing bag
It goes without saying that a nursing mom who is on go will need to carry all her essential stuff with her. Behold the nursing bag, sometimes also known as the diaper bag. Whatever you wish to call it, no nursing mom should be without one, even more so if she is traveling with her baby. It would never do to be digging into her luggage bag for anything she needs!
When choosing a nursing bag, probably the most essential feature will be its compartments. In a nursing bag, the more the better! You will need a large central space for all your main stuff like a changing pad, diapers and your baby’s change of clothes among others. There should also be many additional pockets and compartments for smaller, hard-to-locate stuff like nursing cream, nursing pads, your baby’s pacifier, your hand phone, keys, your make-up, your baby’s toiletries and so on.
The functionality of your bag should also be taken into consideration. Would you like to tote it around or sling it on one shoulder in a messenger bag fashion? How would you like to reach into your bag? An ideal bag will allow you easy access to all essential stuff without having to dig around or worse, having to empty half the contents of your bag to find an item.
Nipple Shields
Another product nursing moms will find helpful for sore nipples is the nipple shield. These shields are made of soft silicone that act like a second skin for sore and cracked nipples, allowing baby to latch on easily without causing additional distress to already aching nipples.
Nevertheless, as the nature of nursing will have it, there are challenges that need to be faced such as aching backs and arms, sore nipples, leaky breasts and so on, regardless if you are traveling or not. In regards to this, there are a handful of essential items that you’ll find useful to have when you’re on the go with your nursing baby.
Comfort matters!
Do not wear anything which you think is going to make you feel uncomfortable while nursing your baby, no matter how stylish it is. At the end of the day, it is far from stylish to look and feel agitated because your top keeps riding up while nursing.
Stylish and Functional!
Some moms might find it quite a dilemma to decide on whether or not to carry a separate handbag for all personal, non-nursing needs. The manufacturers of nursing/diaper bags are actually a step ahead of this situation! Hence now, we have nursing bags which are so stylish, no one will ever know what they really are till mommy reaches in and pulls out a pacifier.
