When traveling with a baby anywhere really one of the concerns that might be in the back of your mind as a breastfeeding mum is what are the attitudes towards breastfeeding in public and availability of facilities dedicated to breastfeeding mums.
I know it was certainly on my mind - Nina was 4.5 months old when we set off for our first trip and she was exclusively breastfed. I know that even in Europe attitudes differ a lot and many people feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public.
Outside of the West, where after years of pushing formula as an easy solution for busy mums, breastfeeding is having its rennaissance.
WHO is recommending breastfeeding exclusively for first 6 months of the infancy, and continuing to do so up to 2 years and beyond.
For that reason it would be a shame to consider it as an obstacle in having a relaxed and easy trip.
For that reason, in this post I will explore what can you expect traveling with a baby as a breastfeeding mum, what kinds of facilities are on offer, and why the period of the first 6 months is actually a perfect time to travel with a baby.
Facilities for breastfeeding mums
In many public spaces, you will find dedicated facilities for breastfeeding.
At the metro stations by the toilets, there is often a small room with a changing table and an arm chair for breastfeeding.
At the train stations you can expect a marked family room with nappy changing facilities and chairs for breastfeeding.
The same is often the case for the shopping centers that would have some sort of area for breastfeeding women.
Other than this you would have to expect to breastfeed in public.
Attitudes towards breastfeeding in public
Based on my own experience, I would say breastfeeding in public is considered a normal thing and doesn’t catch that much attention. I mean you already get s lot of attention because of a baby but people are not too phased about women breastfeeding.
I think in China formula feeding beyond very first months of the baby’s life is still a default and I don’t really remember seeing other breastfeeding mums.
I did breastfeed Nina everywhere I needed to, including restaurants and I never felt uncomfortable or watched.
Benefits of traveling with a breastfed baby
I personally think the period between 4-6 months is a great time to travel to more “exotic“ destinations with a baby.
First and foremost, you don’t have to worry about food AT ALL. You can order whatever you want, no special meals to be ordered.
Breastfed babies are very easy to calm by, well, breastfeeding! They sleep relatively a lot still, so they will be happyvjust being fed, held and carried. They are also still light so that is not an issue.
Breastfeeding also helps with flying - sucking prevents ears popping and work as a charm for overnight flights.
Having travelled with both a toddler and an infant, I would argue that traveling with a baby alone is almost like traveling with no baby at all - just a little extra weight on your tummy.
By the age of 4 months, they are past their newborn phase, their lungs are more developed and everything can be considered generally safer.
In case something goes wrong regarding your milk supply, formula is widely available everywhere so that is also not a worry.
I actually regret that we weren’t more adventurous when we had only Hanna as that would have been so easy!
Final thoughts
Traveling with a breastfed baby to China is really non-issue. Chinese people are very helpful and friendly towards babies and they look out for families with small children.
Don’t feel like you need to hold back as a breadtfeeding mum, China is a great place for the baby’s first big adventure!
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