Expectant Mothers


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  • Breastfeeding on airplane

    01-18-2008 1:44 PM Reply Contact

     I'm going on a vacation in March and was wondering how to go about breastfeeding on an airplane? Also, how to pump in an airplane? 

       
  • Re: Breastfeeding on airplane In reply to

    01-28-2008 12:13 PM Reply Contact

    Cynthia,

    If you breastfeed on the plane,

    • Breastfeeding in your seat. It's up to you but you could do it openly or use a cover up such as a poncho or a blanket to be more discrete. 
    • As small and cramped as it may be - you can always breastfeed in the bathroom. 

    To pump I would use the bathroom.  Most of the airplane bathrooms have a board that comes down from the wall (like a changing table) that you could lay down to have a flat surface.  You'll need to make sure you have a pump that is either a manual or battery opperated. Medela's Swing would be a great pump for the bathroom of a plane. It is very compact, wont take up much room, could be placed on your lap if you want to sit down or hooked to your belt if you are standing and runs off AA batteries.

    I don't know how long your plane ride will be but I do have friends that will pump in the airport bathroom before they board the plane and then feed the expressed milk to their baby while they are in the air then resume breastfeeding once they have landed.

    Good luck, I hope this helped!

    Kelly Husk
       
  • Re: Breastfeeding on airplane In reply to

    02-08-2008 8:43 AM Reply Contact

    We traveled across country in December, and I breastfed my then-2mo son on the plane on each leg. During takeoff and landing, I made sure he was sucking on something (either nursing or pacifier), and then he usually fed a little bit in the middle. It was simple, though the position was a little tiring since I didn't have my nursing pillow with me on the trip. I used a cloth diaper or receiving blanket for a small or large shield, depending on where my nursing breast was located in relation to other people in that row (ie, if I was nursing next to the window, I could use a small diaper for basic cover; if I was nursing next to someone else (not my husband) or next to the isle, I used the larger receiving blanket). 

    I also fed him at least once on each layover that was longer than a few minutes. I had manual pumps with me but found I didn't need them.  The bathrooms were always in demand on our flight (at least, when I looked) and I felt bad even taking long enough to change him (though of course I did), so I wouldn't have wanted to spend the 15-20 minutes required to pump. But that may be just me. ymmv

       
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