In one week, I’m flying across the country to attend the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA) in Philadelphia. I love attending conferences and learning about new research and current topics in my field. But I’ve never been to one like this. It is massive. Five days, over 1,000 scientific sessions to choose from, over 13,000 public health professionals. It took me hours to put together a schedule for myself.
Breastfeeding sessions get top priority. But I wanted to branch out of maternal-child health and explore other interests including poverty, health disparity, politics of public health, and malnutrition. Here are a few of the highlights I’m looking forward to attending:
Evaluating Breastfeeding Programs
Nutrition and Malnutrition
Breastfeeding: Developing Community Support
Vitamin D and Health: Meeting Adequate Intake
If I make it there in one piece, that is. Along with me, the sole adult traveler on a day-long journey, will be my 10-month-old son. His Grandma will be meeting us at the hotel and babysitting while I’m in the meetings, but for the travel, I’m on my own. It will be an adventure.
Any advice for making the most of the meeting? How about flying with a nursing 10-month old? I’m open any suggestions and survival tips!
Bring toys that he likes and a nursing cover. Maybe bottles of breast milk, too, in case he is too distracted to nurse. Must keep those little ear-ways open to prevent pressure changes in aircraft, and swallowing during take off and landings is a must. Every time I fly, I hear young kids crying during landings, or take offs, and it sounds like the painful cry of earaches.