I thought traveling alone was hard—until I did it with a breastfeeding baby.

Our first international trip was also my baby’s first flight, and she was still exclusively latching then. I trusted my preparations but also braced myself for the unknown: Would she sleep through the flight or not? Would she latch more often as she usually does? 

As the season of vacations and travels are upon us, I share with you tips that helped me survive breastfeeding 35,000 feet above the ground—because moms, your fears and worries of flying with your breastfeeding child shouldn’t keep you from making beautiful memories as a family.

Right before I did the actual packing for our first international trip, I wrote everything down on pieces of paper. This way, I have an inventory of what to bring and how many of each we need. The good thing about preparing a packing list is you can customize it according to what works for you. You can do it by family member, by day or itinerary, or by luggage so you won’t have to rummage through everything just to find one item!

A list – whether physical or digital – encourages organization and saves time. It is a must for me as a breastfeeding mom to conserve my time and energy because I’ll be needing both of them for breastfeeding.

Carry-ons are meant to be light, and I’m not just talking about its size and weight limit. I’m also talking about how things in it are placed and stored. So Moms, don’t overstuff your carry-on luggage. Have your nursing covers, burp cloths, change of clothing for you and your baby, hygiene and medicine kits accessible. Also, orient everyone (including your husband!) on where to get what most especially at times when both your hands are full.

When you’re out of the country, you’ll always look for the feeling of home. The same is true for your baby! You are the closest home there will ever be for them, so make sure your breastmilk supply won’t go down because of all potential travel stresses.

So don’t forget to have your lactation supplements like Natalac handy! Natalac comes in capsules and bottles which are very convenient and travel-friendly.

The best travel outfits are the ones which make you move with ease. Since you’re breastfeeding, it’s a must that you wear breastfeeding-friendly tops, preferably those that match many of your bottoms in case you’ll be out for a longer period of time.

Also prepare for the cabin temperature and for sudden changes in weather for you and your baby!

One of the best things about traveling is that you get to experience different places and cultures through food. But since you are a breastfeeding mom and you’re almost always hungry, it’s best to pack your go-to snacks in case your tummy aches in the middle of your trip. Choose healthy snacks to keep you full and energized until your next meal.

Also, don’t forget to bring your water bottle. While there are restrictions to bringing water on the plane, you’ll be glad you have it. Tourist attractions and theme parks offer free refilling stations. If there’s none in your itinerary, you’ll still be grateful you brought yours instead of buying a bottled water from time to time. Not only will you be saving a few pennies, but you’ll also be caring for the environment!

Riding the plane will be an entirely new experience for your baby, so do your best to reduce their stressors. Pay closer attention to hunger cues before boarding, during the flight, and right before landing. A well-fed baby is a happy one!

Since takeoff and landing are hard on everyone’s ears including your baby’s, it’s best to have your little one latch on both occasions. Luckily for me, my daughter was asleep during takeoff, but it was not the same case during landing. She was crying heavily because of cabin pressure, but all my husband and I can do is pacify her and wait for the crying to subside and the plane to land.

Moms, we need to keep ourselves calm, collected, and entertained, as travel can get really stressful. If you can squeeze in reading time, bring a good book with you. Make sure your phone is charged so you can also turn to your favorite series during wait time. Don’t forget to think about yourself, Momma, because you deserve to relax and unwind during your trip, too.

There will always be an ounce of fear and worry when traveling with a breastfeeding child, but with these tips, you will be able to manage it better. I can guarantee that going through my first flight with my baby definitely made our bond stronger, and made me more confident and more excited about our next one.

Safe travels, Moms!