Breast Feeding and Travel

Breast Feeding and Travel

At times, a breast feeding mother cannot avoid travelling by flight. There are a few points to be kept in mind while getting ready to travel. Breast feeding is the best, nutritional and anti-infective food an infant can receive while travelling. It also relieves concerns about sterilizing bottles and about availability of clean water. Supplements are not required for babies younger than six months other than breast milk. If supplements are necessary, powdered formula that requires mixing with boiled water should be carried.

Newborns, younger than one and a half months should not be taken for air travel because their alveoli are not completely functional. Infants are particularly susceptible to pain as the eustachian tube in the ears collapse during pressure changes. Breast-feeding while the plane takes-off and lands can help to relieve problem.