This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of 1 Natural Way. All opinions are entirely my own.
Breastfeeding while traveling with your baby is not always an easy task to do, especially if you are a military mom who is traveling alone with a baby. When husbands are deployed or you are PCSing, it leaves moms in charge of the children. At some point, you are going to have to travel with your baby. If you are traveling, there are many ways to ensure that your child will be able to eat while you are traveling.
Getting your baby used to eat on the run is essential to successfully traveling. Sometimes infants get accustomed to only feeding in a rocking chair or they have to be in a quiet location. Before going on a trip, it would be a good idea to go out into public and practice breastfeeding in busy, loud location. This way your baby can get acclimated to different location and feeding times.
When traveling, a military mom must be prepared for all types of scenarios that could occur during travel. Planes could be delayed, traffic happens, times get changed, baggage gets lost, breastfeeding while traveling etc. Making sure to pack accordingly in your diaper bag or carry-on bags with extra clothing, diapers, and blankets as a precaution are imperative. It’s also important to take similar steps to prepare for breastfeeding while traveling.
Look for Mommy nursing stations in the airport:
Before and after the plane, look in the airports for nursing stations. It is becoming more and more common in airports across the world to have these stations. This way you might be able to feed your baby before getting on the plane and if it’s a quick flight, feed when landed.
Have a breastfeeding cover:
Whether you are traveling alone or with family, it is good to have a breastfeeding cover. You can use the cover on the plane, train or car. Use it to ensure your privacy. With a car, you are able to pull over. However with public transportation, you might want more privacy.
Bring a backup bottle:
When traveling long distances, especially by plane, know that babies aren’t used to their ears popping. Keeping a bottle with formula or breast milk would be a great back up plan. This is in case your baby’s ears are hurting and making it hard to breastfeed. It’s a great back-up option so that your baby is not crying or inconsolable.
Invest in a travel breast pump:
Being on vacation may cause some changes to your babies feeding schedule. Investing in a travel breast pump to bring with you to travel destination is a great plan. A regular breast pump can be big and bulky. Whereas getting a travel breast pump can help you fit it into a bag with other items that are needed too. It can also fit in a carry-on bag onto an airplane. As a military mom, having Tricare insurance gives you the ability to receive a Tricare Breast Pump from your insurance company.
Wear breastfeeding or loose-fitting clothing:
If you are traveling on a plane, plan to wear loose-fitting clothing and a breastfeeding bra. This helps to make feeding in a tight space less stressful. Make sure to have all of the items with you at the seat. Making trips to the overhead bins when your baby is hungry and crying is not pleasant.
What is 1 Natural Way?
1 Natural Way is an in-network Tricare breast pump provider for all Tricare plans. They provide the highest quality travel breast pumps from Medela and Spectra to TRICARE military members. You may also receive extra breastfeeding supplies covered (at no cost to you) under your Tricare plan as a military mom! 1 Natural Way will ship these items to you every month while you are breastfeeding/pumping. Being a military mom, it is important to take advantage of all of the benefits that are given to you and using them to your advantage.
Most women believe that the travel breast pumps given to them through insurance are not the best. However, that really depends on the insurance company that you have. Tricare believes in helping military families as much as they can. The companies they’ve partnered with to help military families are some of the best. This includes 1 Natural Way. Having a great pump while traveling and breastfeeding makes a mom’s life so much easier. When traveling, if your pump is unreliable, it can make the trip even more stressful.
What do they do?
1 Natural Way takes charge and helps military moms like us by contacting your health insurance provider and doctor for you! There is no more work on your end. They make it extremely easy for you to access the Tricare travel Breast Pump and they make it super easy for busy military moms like you and me. They make it a goal to make it easy with minimal or no out of pocket expenses to you.
How can you receive your Tricare Breast Pump?
Military moms, here are five simple steps that will take less than 5 minutes, and your breast pump through Tricare will be on its way! It is that easy!
- Fill out their insurance information form.
- Select your breast pump model (Tricare covers all models we offer)
- Enroll in their Monthly breastfeeding accessories program (called Resupply)
- Provide 1 Natural Way with a prescription or your doctor’s information, and they will obtain one for you
- Your pump and supplies will ship right to your front door via UPS or USPS
The great thing about breastfeeding while traveling in 2018 is that it’s more normalized than in the recent past years. Airports and public bathrooms are becoming more and more family-friendly. Life for breastfeeding moms is easier because of a location to feed their children.
Making your and your baby comfortable in a new environment is exactly what these tips are doing. Traveling with children is always a stressful experience so following our tips can help prevent that. Plan ahead and make it just a bit less stressful for you and your baby.
Testimonials from Moms
Military moms on the move just like you have used these Insurance Breast Pumps and have had wonderful experiences!
This was super easy! I applied last week and picked out my pump. Today I received an email confirmation that 1 Natural Way obtained a prescription for me. Then a few moments later received a shipping confirmation email with tracking information. All I had to do was fill out the initial form and they handled the rest. I can’t wait for my pump to come in. One less thing to worry about before I deliver!”
— Sabrina A.
Bossier City, Louisiana
“They are amazing!! Took about just over a week for me to apply, get approved, verify my prescription, and to receive my breast pump. I’m so happy that I went with 1 Natural Way! I love how they have the automated monthly resupply plan as well. ”
— Lynn V.
Traverse City, Michigan
Great tips here! I love when at least one major thing is made simpler for us by companies like this. One less complicated thing in the lives of moms, especially military moms.
Yes! That is so huge – especially as a military mom! Life gets crazy and sometimes you are moving in those months of pregnancy!
A good pump is so critical! I love that most insurers now cover the cost. One step ahead for mamas!
It is really a huge deal!
Absolutely great advice! Military life is already difficult, I couldn’t imagine trying to maintaining breastfeeding during this also!
Right? So stressful! Especially if you are set to move right after having a newborn!
What a fantastic initiative! A great way to make breastfeeding and traveling work together! And some really useful breastfeeding tips! Isn’t it great to be living in a time where breastfeeding is encouraged and normalized?
Seriously! it used to be such a different time. I still don’t feel totally comfortable breastfeeding in public but cheer on those moms who are totally okay with it!
Good tips! Babies need to eat, even on the go. I like this initiative! What a great idea.
Thanks! Also so true!
These are such great tips! I love that insurance is covering this as well!
Me too! It really is so helpful to moms.
This is amazing!! I’m honestly glad my husband is out of the marines because of the challenges, so hats off to military Moms for working through! Breastfeeding is hard enough as it is!
Totally agreed – there is never all that much warning to prepare for any time of traveling or moves you have to make, especially when it comes to a baby!