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When formula feeding your baby while on the go, you should always prepare your feeding equipment prior to minimise any stress at the time. Carefully measured formula, a vacuum flask or baby bottle warmer, a sterilised feeding bottle and a baby bottle bag, can help you feel much more relaxed at mealtimes.
Whether you're off to the park, out for a jaunt around the shops, or visiting family and friends, the thought of feeding your baby outside of your familiar home environment can feel daunting for many parents.
But feeding your baby while out and about doesn't have to be a stressful experience, the trick is to simply plan ahead and be as prepared as possible.
We're here with some handy hints and tips to help you feel more prepared for feeding your baby on the go.
How to breastfeed baby on the go
The best bit about breastfeeding on the go is that you already have two of the most important components on your person - literally - at any given time! So once you've got your baby in tow, you're pretty much set on the 'preparation' front.
But take your time. Many new mums like to get things going well at home before they venture out. Once breastfeeding is well established you should start to feel much more comfortable at the prospect of going out and about.
If you are worried about breastfeeding in public places, that's ok. Many new mums feel nervous and a little uncomfortable but there really is no need to. It is against the law to discriminate against a breastfeeding mother, as well as being socially unacceptable. What you will probably discover when you start breastfeeding in public is that most people neither notice or care.
How to feed baby formula on the go
Preparing bottles for a day out requires a little more forethought and prep, but again, it's super easy once you know how. If you fill your baby's bottle with breast milk, then all you really need is to express and keep the bottle chilled in a cool bag.
However, if you need to prepare formula on the go then it's just about taking the right ingredients with you. You will need:
- A carefully measured amount of formula in a clean and dry container
- A vacuum flask of hot, just-boiled water to warm up the milk, or a baby bottle warmer
- A sterilised feeding bottle
- A baby bottle bag
When you're out and it's time to feed your baby, simply add the correct amount of hot water (it has to be hot to kill any bacteria), put the right amount of formula in and give it a shake, wait for it to cool to the right temperature, and hey presto - baby's lunch!
Alternatively, you can opt for ready-made formula which comes as a premixed liquid. Ready-made formulas are more convenient, but they do often come at a high cost.
