Breastfeeding and travel: flying, road trips and time zones
Travel with a breastfed baby is very doable. Breastfeeding is often the easiest part, since you carry the food with you at the right temperature. A bit of planning helps with flights, long drives and changing time zones.
Flying with a breastfed baby
Feeding during take-off and landing can help your baby's ears equalise, so plan your feeds around those moments. Keep your baby close and offer a feed or a pacifier if the pressure bothers them.
Under EU security rules, baby milk and baby food needed for the journey are generally allowed in your hand luggage, even above the normal liquid limit, and you may be asked to taste or test them. Rules vary between airports and countries and can change, so check with your airline and the airport (for example Avinor in Norway) before you travel. Pack a little more than you think you need in case of delays.
Expressed milk on the move
If you pump, use a small cool bag with ice packs to carry milk. Freshly expressed milk keeps for a limited time at room temperature and longer in the cold, so check our guide on pumping and storing breast milk for safe times. Label milk with date and time, and keep a clean pump kit in a zip bag.
Car trips
Plan to stop every couple of hours so you can feed in a safe, parked car or at a rest stop. Never take your baby out of the car seat to feed while the car is moving. A bottle of water for you, snacks and a muslin cloth make stops easier.
Time zones
Babies do not know what time it is. Feed on demand as usual, and shift gradually to local time over a few days rather than forcing a schedule. Extra daylight in the morning helps your baby adjust. Keep in mind that your baby may feed more often for comfort while adapting.
Keep a feeding log
When routines are disrupted it is easy to lose track of the last feed, which side you used and how many wet nappies there have been. A simple feeding log, for example in the Plumpy app, helps you and your partner see at a glance how things are going. It is also useful if you need to talk to a doctor while you are away.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take expressed breast milk on a plane?
In general, yes. Milk for your baby is usually allowed in reasonable amounts in hand luggage and may be screened separately. Check with your airline and airport for current rules.
How do I keep breast milk cold while travelling?
Use an insulated cool bag with ice packs, and put milk in the fridge or cool bag as soon as you can. See our pumping guide for safe storage times.
Do I need to change feeding times in another time zone?
No, keep feeding on demand. Over a few days your baby will usually adjust to local time.
Is it safe to breastfeed a baby in a car?
Stop in a safe place, park, and feed there. Never unbuckle your baby while the car is moving.
Check the facts: rules, recommendations and products change. Always verify with the manufacturer, official sources such as NAV, Helsedirektoratet and Arbeidstilsynet, and other relevant health authorities before you act.