It is possible have fun traveling while pumping. But first, let’s be honest, breast pumping is not exactly what one would call a fun time. In fact, pumping can sometimes feel like a limitation or prisoner sentence. So when my husband proposed a weekend trip to New York I instantly felt the words, “that’s a no for me dawg” come to mind. Luckily, I didn’t listen to that voice. Instead, I chose to make it happen despite being intimidated. Luckily, I has success throughout the trip. I felt successful and empowered to no longer limit myself because of pumping. So I am here to share with you how have a enjoyable trip while effectively pumping/storing breast milk!
Accommodations
It is important to ensure that there is a place to store your breastmilk when staying from home. If you plan on staying at a hotel like I did, you need to ensure the hotel room you has a refrigerator. It’s a bonus if it also has a freezer. Call the hotel to see if they can accommodate you with one if the room description does not mention a refrigerator. If they do not not have in-room refrigerators, they may allow you the opportunity to place your milk in their refrigerators. I personally would seek out a different hotel because I prefer to keep an eye on my milk to ensure it is being stored properly.
If you are staying for a quick weekend trip, an in-room refrigerator will be sufficient. Extended stays at a hotel, will require you to use the hotel’s freezer to store your milk to ensure that it does not spoil. If this is the case for you, make sure to call in advance to verify that they will allow you to do this. Make sure you let them know its for breastfeeding/milk storage so that they understand it is related to an accommodation request.
What to Pack in your Carry-on
I have always been an over-packer. I believe in being over prepared vs underprepared. Traveling while pumping was no different for me. In fact, i ended up with a whole duffle bag purely dedicated to my pumping supplies! Although it may seem like a lot, I used everything I brought with me. Below is the list of items I brought. I will discuss how I used these items under the heading “Pumping while at your Destination”.
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- Madela breast Pump
- Elvie breast pump
- Extra flanges and bottles to pump into for both pumps
- Wall charger and wireless charger
- Madela Quick Clean wipes
- Milk storage bags
- Sharpie
- Collapsible basin
- Sponge
- Dishwashing liquid
- Gallon Ziplock bags
- Backpack
- Breastfeeding/Pumping Cover
- Paper towel sheets
- Nursing bra’s
- Pumping Bra
- Reusable ice packs
- Large portable soft cooler
Flying to your Destination
All of the items I listed above should be packed in a carry on bag. This is really important because you do not want to run the risk of the supplies being lost or damaged after checking them in. You may also need to use these supplies while at the airport or on the plane. Our flight was a little over an hour and I had to pump at the airport on departure flights.
I recommend you try to get in one final nursing session with you baby before you leave for the airport. Doing so will decrease the amount of pump sessions on your way to your destination. It also helps avoiding the check in process with breast milk, and eliminates the need for your cooler and ice packs. You should have no problems checking in with your supplies, but be sure to check your airports guidelines just in case.
When packing your supplies, it is helpful to have your pump and bottles alreay prepared for a pump session. This will help you stay orgainzed when having to pump in the airport or plane. I highly recommend pumping in the airport before you board. This eliminates the need to have to pump on the actual airplane.
We ate at a resturant in the airport so I used my Elvie to pump while we ate. I did this by using my pumping cover. I also took advantage of the airport’s Nursing Mothers Room to get situated first. Make sure to locate where the closest nursing room is to your gate just in case you need privacy. Since we had a short flight, I did not need to refrigerate my milk until we reached the hotel. If you do need to refrigerate it, ask the flight attendent for ice to put in your ziplock bag, and place the milk in there. Repeat this step if the ice melts before you reach your destination.
Pumping while at your Destination
When pumping it is important for you to try to maintain as many pump sessions as you have nursing sessions. It does not have to reflect the same schedule per se, but to maintain your supply you do want to maintain frequency. Here I will discuss how to do just that while not feeling like you have to take breaks from your fun.
First thing in the morning you should pump with your traditional breast pump. I typically pump for 20-30 minutes. This will help empty you really good. If you can, try to do one additional pump session with your traditional pump before you leave your room for the day.
To prepare for the day, you will want to bring a backpack or bag that you can use to carry your pumping supplies. In this bag I would include the following items:
- 3 Ziplock freezer bags
- Elvie pump (or other portable pump) fully assembled
- Extra bottles and caps for expressed milk
- Madela sanitizing wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Nursing cover
- A few paper towel
- Chargers for pump if needed
In one of the ziplock bags you will carry the fully assembled pump to keep things sanitary. In another ziplock bag you will carry all of your extra pump parts. The third bag can be used as an extra bag to keep the expresses milk or to keep the wipes and paper towel.
When I was out and needed to pump, I would go to the bathroom and put my Elvies in, then proceed with my day until I finished my pumping session. If there is no bathroom or private save available, use your nursing cover. When finished, I would find a bathroom or a private space to take them out and transfer the milk. I would always make sure I am being as sanitary as possible since it is my babes milk!
To transfer milk, use one of the bottle caps that you brought with you. Store the milk in your ziplock bag. Take this time to also rinse out your pump products, or to wipe them down with the sanitizing cloth. Then put the prep the pump for your next session. You will repeat these steps for the next sessions.
Please follow the CDC guidelines for proper milk storage.
If you are able to, stop by your room to drop off your milk in the refrigerator within the proper storage timeframe. You can either leave back out or choose to pump with your transitional pump and then head out.
If you do not have the chance to go back to your room, you will want to stop somewhere to ask for ice and place it in your ziplock bag. This will begin the refrigeration process so that your milk does not spoil. It is important to continue to obtain refills on ice as the ice melts.
If you already know that you will have a long day away from any refrigeration, then I recommend that you your cooler and the reusable ice packs that I linked above.
At the end of the day, I recommend transferring your milk into milk storage bags and labor them. You will also want to pump with your traditional pump again before bed.
Preparing for the Return Flight
The night before you leave your destination, make sure to have the reusable ice packs placed in the freezer. Leave them in the freezer until you are ready to depart. When packing to leave, place your ice packs in the bag with your expressed milk. You will need to prepare your backpack/bag of your portable pump and items to store expressed milk. These are the same items that were mentioned in the section above.
Before you depart, make sure to pump with your traditional pump. I would then wait to pump again until you are checked in at the airport. Please be prepared for your breast milk needing to be tested. They will either place a few bags in the sensor box to check it or they will try to test the milk. If they try to test the milk you can ask them to try another method. Always be sure to check your airport for specific information regarding traveling with expressed milk.
Once you check in make sure to pump before your flight. This will be much more manageable then on the plane if you can avoid it. Take the same steps to pumping as I mentioned above. Store your expressed milk in the travel cooler until you reach home.
I want to hear from you!
Tell me how this plan worked for you, or if you have any additional tips or products that could help!
