Work Travel - Pumping and Storing Milk

[cara]

Hello! Quick intro here - I'm an A18 mama and have a 3 month old DD and also have an F14 DS. I live in the midwest and recently just went back to work. 

I recently started a new position at my company and may be asked to travel more often. I anticipate my boss asking me this at our first meeting since my return to work. I have some major worries about being able to pump regularly during airport travel as well as keeping my milk stored.

My main questions are:

What's the easiest way to store and carry all of my milk back?
Where do I pump if the airport doesn't have a designated area?
What do I do if my pumping times fall within a time that I'm on an airplane?
What do you do when you need to pump while out on location?
Does anyone here travel for work and have any tips?


My supply wasn't great with DS and I had to be super consistent with my pumping and I'm scared that my supply will tank if I have to travel. TIA for any advice! I feel overwhelmed by the logistics of it all.

[vvvvvfee]

i would just find a quiet corner and pump with a hands-free pumping bra under a nursing cover (same thing on a plane except far fewer options to escape the crowds!).

there is a new pump that is just shells that sit inside your bra, but i don't know much about it: www.willowpump.com/ if you have a regular double-electric i'd get a battery pack so you can pump if there's no electrical outlet handy.

from what i've read on BFing boards it's easiest to keep milk in bottles in a cooler packed in ice. then you can replenish ice as needed as you travel. when you have access to a fridge, stash it there. here's an old thread: www.thencomesfamily.com/community/thread/40247/travel-logistics-4-days

large office buildings and public places should be able to accommodate you with a pumping location. you could always call ahead and say you're going to be there on XX day and ask if there's a room you could use. i've had to pump in a hospital, a city hall, and a few other places, and staff were always super-nice and helpful. you could also pump in your car if you're driving yourself around (if that's the case i'd also bring a car adapter for your pump).

and here are a couple of links: exclusivepumping.com/traveling-with-breast-milk/
momlovesbest.com/feeding/breast-pumps/pumping-while-traveling
www.babycenter.com/0_breastfeeding-and-pumping-while-traveling_10313897.bc

i hope someone with real-world experience can chime in!

[grumpycat]

Hi!! I've pumped on airplanes. It really wasn't bad but dh was sitting next to me so it wasn't some random stranger. I would try to get assigned to the single seats if you are on a smaller plane or the window seat vs aisle. Breast pump wipes and a battery pack for your pump is the way to go.

Most airports have nursing pods or nursing rooms. I looked it up before I traveled so I was prepared. The nursing pods are nice.

Bring a hand pump and an electric pump. In the worst case scenario, you can use the hand pump to get relief and then use the electric pump when you get to a better spot.

I traveled away from my nursling when he was 5 months. We are still nursing at almost 14 months.

[grumpycat]

I was so so nervous about traveling and maintaining my supply. It honestly all worked and (for me) being over prepared helped.

You can do it and I felt like a superhero pumping on an airplane!

[flippinchica]

I really like my freemies for pumping in semi public areas. I use them in my car and the locker room at work.