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When breastfeeding your baby while on the go, we recommend having your routine set in stone beforehand to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible when breastfeeding in public.
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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:
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A carefully measured amount of formula in a clean and dry container
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A vacuum flask of hot, just-boiled water to warm up the milk, or a baby bottle warmer
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A sterilised feeding bottle
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A baby bottle bag
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A PrepGo Portable Formula Feed Maker
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.
If you want to make the process even more convenient, the PrepGo UV Portable Formula Feed Maker is the answer. All you need to do is add your pre-measured formula into the device which is already holding boiling water, before you mix it well by shaking, triggering the cooling process. Then wait 2 minutes, and when the star on the screen turns blue, you have the perfect formula solution ready to feed to your baby.
Plus you can sterilise your flask using the built-in UV steriliser for multiple feeds on the go.
Simple tips for feeding a baby on the road
We’ve put together some of our most helpful tips for baby feeding on-the-go.
- Pre-measure your formula: We’ve mentioned this above, but ensuring you have the right measurements before you leave the house will save you a lot of hassle and concern.
- Keep water safe: If your baby is weaning, always make sure their water is safe by keeping it in a sterilised bottle.
- Use a bottle warmer: Whether keeping a flask with you or using our portable bottle warmer, making sure your baby’s feed is at the right temperature is essential.
- Sterilising wipes: Always take sterilising wipes with you so that you can clean up any bottles, spoons and surfaces as you go.
- Use a cool bag: Especially during hot weather, a cool bag will ensure the milk is kept at a safe temperature before it’s warmed up.
- Plan feeding stops: If driving long distance, have a plan of action of where you’ll feed your baby, whether it be at service stations or parks for comfort.
Tips for feeding my fussy baby while traveling
If you’ve got a fussy feeder on your hands, there are extra steps you can take to ensure they still get their nutrition while you’re on the go:
- Stick to routine as much as possible: This is ideal for avoiding overtiredness or hunger issues.
- Use familiar bottles/teats: If on holiday, make sure to bring feeding equipment they’re used to so that they feel comforted.
- Find quiet feeding spots: If your baby is overstimulated, they may choose to refuse a feed. Find a location that’s calm and quiet for you both.
- Bring a comfort item: Something like their favourite blanket or a toy can distract and make them feel at home while they feed.
- Don’t force it: Try short breaks and if they still refuse, choose a much calmer time to try again.
How to burp my baby easily while traveling
The usual technique you use for burping your baby doesn’t have to change while you travel, however the amount of space you have to work with might.
To overcome this, try a different position like sitting them on your lap or laying them on their tummy while on your lap.
Baby feeding on the go doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, especially if you’re prepared and understanding of how your baby is feeling.
For more advice, check out our other articles on baby feeding.
