Can I visit an amusement park while breastfeeding?

Recently I got a question is it safe to visit Canada’s Wonderland in Toronto or any amusement park while breastfeeding? So I had this question in mind when I visited it yesterday and tried all the most scariest, highest and toughest rides.

So here is my 5 cents on the topic as a person who 1) is a Lactation Consultant in Toronto, 2) has her own breasts, 3) breastfed her kids 4 years in total, 4) is not the most bravest girl in the world by nature.

My personal insights and lifehacks to breastfeeding parents:

• do not go there if you have a history of frequent blocked ducts or milk stasis “just out of nowhere.” On the most extreme and dynamic rides you will experience significant shaking and vibration (especially on those wooden rides), and this will be enough for a new milk stasis. However, if it’s already a case, here is our article about that.
• Entry to “The Bat” ride is strictly forbidden to those who have any problems with the back and/or neck (on the ride backwards your back and neck are significantly affected by the opposite direction force and it gives your body tangible and hardly bearable pressure), so, if you ever experienced (or have it currently) any type of breast and/or chest pain while breastfeeding, you should not go to “The Bat” ride. Honestly, with no relation to breastfeeding, if you have any problems with your back and/or neck, you should stay away from this ride for your own sake. If you read this too late and now in need of a very good body work, here are our trusted providers.
• Think well about the bra ahead. I have not breastfed for a long time, however, have quite sensitive breasts, so I’d definitely choose a good fit sports bra for my next visit. You should have in mind that sports bra are usually quite restricting, so choosing wrong fit can cause blocked duct itself without any rides, so just make sure your bra gives you great support without excessive compression and restraint.
• While being seated down pay close attention to all passenger restraint systems, including lap bars, shoulder harnesses and seatbelts, being positioned, fastened and tightened properly, without your breasts and/or chest been squeezed or pushed too much, where are your arms and elbows and what about elbows of your neighbours from the both sides as due to the nature of some seats there’s really little room around you.
• Be honest with yourself and think ahead if you really can do it in terms of coping with fear and adrenalin withdrawal. I could only breathe there, no chance of screaming. If this is a wild stress for you, then probably it’s not the best idea while you are breastfeeding as you need oxytocin for milk letdown from your breast, so adrenalin (huge doses of it in your blood if you’re totally scared) might interfere with milk letdown quite severely.

In other words think ahead well and decide it for yourself wisely. And enjoy your stay there!