As a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor, your role is to educate and support new parents. In many cases, new parents who struggle with supply are given poor advice. Breastfeeding mismanagement is often the culprit in low milk supply rather than a physiological problem. Maintaining milk supply while on vacation can be a concern for many new parents.

When there is a major change in daily routine, extra guests, and new places, both mother and baby can be thrown off. Changes in feeding patters can concern new parents and make them wonder about milk supply. Regardless of the true circumstances of a baby’s fussing or changes in feeding pattern, milk supply is often the scapegoat.

So, how does one maintain their milk supply while on vacation? There are several things to consider.

Breastfeeding on Demand For Maintaining Milk Supply

Regardless of where one is, breastfeeding on demand is typically the best way to maintain milk supply. Assuming there is an adequate supply, good latch, and good milk transfer before going on vacation, nothing special needs to be done.

When a healthy baby can feed on demand, they are likely to work the supply demand process perfectly. While feeding patterns might change, the amount of milk consumed over 24 hours tends to remain the same. If baby feeds extra say on a plane during takeoff and landing, they might go longer between the next feed if it is a short flight.

If a baby is distracted by all the new sights and sounds and feeds less, they might wake more frequently at night to feed. They will still get adequate milk; they are simply temporarily changing when they feed most.

For Young Infants, Be Warry of Too Much “Pass The Baby”

If a client is still establishing milk supply, or they struggle to maintain, it is important baby be able to feed whenever they are hungry. It is common for relatives and friends to want to try and soothe a fussing baby.

While they mean well, and parents often enjoy a bit of a break, it is important hunger cues are not missed. Encourage clients to enjoy the break, let relatives snuggle the baby, but also keep an eye on hunger cues and the clock. If baby has gone longer than typical, it can be a good idea to say it is time to feed.

Limit Distractions During Daytime Feeds For Maintaining Milk Supply

Once a baby is about four months old, every sound, sight, etc., can be quite exciting. Everything around them is new and might even be more exciting than latching.

For a baby fed on demand, this is not a major issue with supply. However, what it often means is less feeding during the day and more feeds at night. For tired parents, this could lead to trying to avoid nighttime feeds and then leading to less supply demand process.

If possible, encourage clients to take a few moments throughout the day to step away to a quiet place to feed. Not all babies are “nosey” but for those who are, this can be a helpful way to encourage adequate feeds during the day.

Do Not Let Milk Supply Be The Scapegoat

Whenever a breastfeeding baby has a change in feeding patterns, sleep, or fussiness, people tend to jump to milk supply. However, often, these changes are typical of being in an unfamiliar environment.

Breastfeeding is not simply nutrition. It also provides comfort, bonding, sensory integration, and more. For a little baby in an unfamiliar environment which might be overstimulating, snuggling in for a feed can be a way baby is regulating the extra stimulation.

If one is on vacation in a hotter climate, frequent feeds can be related to baby staying hydrated. The body and baby work wonderfully together to ensure breast milk provides all the hydration they need. Changes in sleep tend to be a combination of feeding changes and overstimulation.

Encourage clients to remember that babies can be fussy for many reasons. Unless their little one is unwell, having difficulty latching, losing weight, etc., chances are any changes in behavior are not related to milk supply.

Remind them not to listen to well-meaning relatives or friends suggesting milk supply is the culprit.

For parents going on vacation, maintaining milk supply is not something they truly need to stress over. Feed on demand. Watch baby’s cues. Remind them that their body and baby are working together, even in an unfamiliar environment.

For those with ongoing supply issues or needing to pump, a pre vacation visit with an IBCLC can be beneficial.