Why does my milk supply decrease when traveling?

Understanding the Decrease in Milk Supply While Traveling
Traveling can be an exciting adventure, but for breastfeeding mothers, it often comes with unexpected challenges, particularly a noticeable decrease in milk supply. This phenomenon can be attributed to several interrelated factors, primarily stress, changes in routine, and hydration levels.
Stress and Anxiety
One of the most significant contributors to a decrease in milk supply during travel is stress. The act of traveling, especially with an infant, can be inherently stressful. Mothers may experience anxiety about logistics, such as flight schedules, accommodations, and the well-being of their child in unfamiliar environments. This stress can trigger physiological responses in the body that inhibit milk production. Research indicates that high levels of stress can lead to hormonal changes that negatively affect lactation, making it more difficult for mothers to maintain their usual milk supply.
Changes in Routine
Travel often disrupts established routines, which can also impact milk production. Breastfeeding relies heavily on the principle of supply and demand; the more frequently milk is removed from the breast, the more milk is produced. When traveling, mothers may find it challenging to stick to their usual breastfeeding or pumping schedule. This inconsistency can signal the body to reduce milk production, as it interprets the decreased demand as a need for less supply.
Hydration and Nutrition
Another critical factor is hydration. Traveling can lead to dehydration, whether due to changes in climate, increased physical activity, or simply forgetting to drink enough water amidst the hustle and bustle. Dehydration can significantly impact milk supply, as the body requires adequate fluid intake to produce milk. Additionally, if a mother’s diet changes while traveling—perhaps due to limited food options or irregular meal times—this can further affect her milk production.
Environmental Factors
The environment during travel can also play a role. For instance, air travel often involves dry cabin air, which can lead to dehydration. Moreover, the physical discomfort of traveling—such as sitting for long periods or dealing with the stress of security checks—can detract from a mother’s ability to relax and focus on breastfeeding or pumping.
Practical Tips for Maintaining Milk Supply While Traveling
To mitigate these challenges, mothers can take proactive steps. Staying hydrated is crucial; carrying a water bottle and setting reminders to drink can help. Additionally, maintaining a flexible but consistent breastfeeding or pumping schedule can signal the body to keep up milk production. Finding quiet, comfortable spaces to nurse or pump can also reduce stress and create a more conducive environment for lactation.
In conclusion, while traveling can lead to a decrease in milk supply due to stress, routine changes, and hydration issues, understanding these factors allows mothers to take steps to maintain their milk production. With careful planning and self-care, breastfeeding mothers can navigate travel while continuing to provide for their little ones.

Do soft breasts mean low milk supply?

You do not have low milk supply because your breasts feel softer than they used to. The excessive fullness we experience in the early days of breastfeeding is about vascular engorgement (blood and lymph) and it’s about the body inefficiently storing unnecessary amounts of milk between feeds.

How to keep milk supply up while traveling?

Large freezer bag6. Pack a larger freezer bag that zips (think Trader Joe’s freezer bags) and some extra ice packs. This is for the ride home. You can take all of your pumped milk back home with you. Just store it in breastmilk storage bags, place it in the freezer bag with ice packs, and pack it in your checked bag.

What is the 6 6 6 rule for breastmilk?

Or the 6-6-6 rule. Basically, breast milk is good at room temperature for 4 or 6 hours, in the refrigerator for 4 or 6 days, and in the freezer for 4 or 6 or 12 months.

Can my emotions affect my baby when breastfeeding?

Cortisol can be passed to the baby through the breast milk. Past studies have shown that cortisol was found in the human milk of breastfeeding mothers experiencing higher levels of stress, and led to more crying and fussiness in their breastfed babies.

How do you fix a dropped milk supply?

Pumping or expressing milk frequently between nursing sessions, and consistently when you’re away from your baby, can help build your milk supply. Relax and massage. Relax, hold your baby skin-to-skin, and massage your breasts before feeding to encourage your milk to let down.

How long can I go without pumping before my milk dries up?

If you’ve been breastfeeding, it will take a month or more for your milk to dry up, depending on how quickly you wean your baby. In this instance, the most comfortable way to dry up your milk, according to Shay, is to gradually cut down on feeding or pumping sessions.

What is the 120 pumping rule?

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk.

How much milk can a woman produce in 24 hours?

During the first few days after birth it is normal to produce small amounts of colostrum. By the end of the first 10-14 days, you will be producing around 500-1,000 ml (or 16-32 ounces) of milk per day.

Why does my milk supply drop when I travel?

Some women find their milk supply temporarily decreases at times during their trip. This could be due to dehydration after flying or illness (such as travellers’ diarrhoea) or because there are fewer opportunities to breastfeed. It may help if you: Continue to breastfeed as often as your baby wants.

What is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.