Pumping while traveling . . . you CAN do it!

This blog is strictly for the mamas . . . . if you are one of my male friends or colleagues (or anyone not interested in reading about breastfreeding/pumping), full disclaimer this blog is about pumping while traveling.

For those of you who have children who breastfeed and pumped with any of them, you know the effort you put into pumping.  Whether you are traveling work mama or are just a mama heading out on a trip . . . when you are faced with the thought of pumping while trying to get through the airport, in a hotel, during a day-long work meeting, in an 8 hour car ride, etc. the panic hits.  Have no fear . . . I hit the road and pumped for 6 months and have gathered below a few tips and recommendations and experiences to make this as easy as possible for you.  You CAN do it.  Here’s how.

Infinity scarves . . . why they are a road warriorette must plus some of my faves!

I am all about efficiency.  Which is why I have multiple travel apps on my phone, leave my suitcase packed in between trips (minus clothing), and love TSA Pre✓™ so much (per my previous blog).  You may have noticed cooler temps have arrived over much of the country.  I don’t have time to always worry about what coat to pack or to make sure I have my winter scarf plus dressy scarf to wear with my work outfits.  I need multifunctional.  Which is why I LOVE all of the new infinity scarves that have appeared in stores this fall.  They work with my winter coat, they work with my dress outfits, and most importantly they keep me warm during the day and on a plane.  AND I don’t have to figure out how best to loop or wrap it.  I need to put on or pack ONE.  Efficient!  

 I love them so much . . . below are some of my faves I wanted to share.  You may or may not see me wearing some of these . . .

Ann Taylor Loft Stripe Fringed Infinity Scarf

 

The scoop on TSA Pre✓™

TSA Pre✓™  . . . the skinny and why I love it so much

You have probably seen articles or news stories about the new TSA Pre✓™  . . . or have heard me rave about it during the past few months.  What the heck is it?  Who has it?  Why do I love it so much?  Read on.

(I obtained most of this information directly from the TSA website, to read further visit www.tsa.gov)

WHAT??

The Pre✓™ is an expedited TSA airport screening process which multiple airlines and airports are now participating in.  Those who are enrolled in the program have a separate security line at the airport checkpoints and basically after doing your ID/boarding pass check you then put your things on the conveyor belt and walk through the detector.  The best part is, you don’t have to take your shoes off, laptop out, belt off, jacket off, or take your bag of 3oz liquids out of your bag.  LOVE it!!  For those of us who fly weekly, it is SO efficient! 

Top 10 ways business travelers stick out of the crowd

WOW can you tell October is my busiest month of travel or what??  Did not mean to let this much time go by in between posts . . . . I have been so nonstop with work, any spare time I had went to family then sleep.  Thank gosh October is over!  You can always follow me in between on Twitter (@travelermama) or on Facebook (travelermama).  Anyways, back at it now and working on an informative blog coming shortly about going through TSA screening and detectors while pregnant.  But in the meantime here’s a fun Top 10 I thought of while traveling today. 

I always notice my fellow business travelers who board with me in my “zone” . . . however today I really looked around and noticed how easy it is to pick those of us out who are there every week.  So on a light hearted note, here’s the Top 10 ways business travelers stick out of the crowd -

#10 – No matter what the season or city, we are always dressed weather neutral.  No shorts, flip-flops, or maxi skirts.  We always have some sort of coat or jacket or sweater.   Which is never a big puffy winter coat.

When you are hit with the dreaded "C" word . . . or other travel disruptions

Some extra time passed since the last blog . . . . was out of commission for a week with the flu.  All better and back to the grind.

On another not so positive note, two weeks ago was probably the worst experience my team has ever had at good old EWR (aka Newark).  After 10 hours at the airport, being booked on 2 different flights, actually sitting on one, and 3 trips through TSA . . . . I ended up at Newark at 11:30pm with no flight home.

Due to my years of travel expertise, I luckily was able to get home the next morning and was able to locate a hotel to spend the night in.  However this was definitely a good reminder of some tips and tricks to share for when you are faced with the dreaded “C” word.  A somewhat wordy entry but full of good info.

Great beauty products . . . which ALL fit in your Ziploc bag!

The infamous single Ziploc bag vs. your Favorite salon products

I have had several colleagues over the past few years who just cannot part with their normal hair and beauty products and check a larger bag for work meetings which are 3 or 4 nights duration.  They just can’t survive being limited by the Ziploc bag of products.

Checking a bag nowadays is such a hassle . . . especially in cases of stand-by or cancellations or just in the time it takes for your bag to make it to baggage claim.

You CAN part with your big bottles and huge makeup bag.  I can routinely fit 3 or 4 nights worth of clothes, pajamas, workout clothes, 3 pairs of shoes, all of my makeup and hair necessities, snacks, and my Ziploc bag in my carry-on. 

Here’s several of my favorite products and hints of how you TOO can ditch the checked bag and still maintain your beauty routine.

Forgot your ID?? Have no fear, read here

So I went to ORD this week for my travels to SFO and realized once I got to security that I did not have my wallet . . . which meant no driver’s license, no credit cards, no cash . . . . . nothing.  In this case I had to change my flight to a later time (thank you @United for being so helpful) and go back to get my wallet (as I couldn’t really complete my business trip with no way to pay for anything). 

However, I have had friends or colleagues who have been on trips (business or personal) and have either had their wallet/purse stolen or lost their ID at some point during their travels.

So what happens??  You are away from home, need to obviously get through security to get back home, and have no ID.  I checked into TSA’s guidelines to get the official scoop on what happens if you forget or lose or do not have your ID.  

 On the official TSA website (http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids) they include the below –

We understand passengers occasionally arrive at the airport without an ID, due to lost items or inadvertently leaving them at home. Not having an ID, does not necessarily mean a passenger won't be allowed to fly. If passengers are willing to provide additional information, we have other means of substantiating someone's identity, like using publicly available databases.

Passengers who are cleared through this process may be subject to additional screening. Passengers whose identity cannot be verified by TSA may not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint or onto an airplane.

Healthy snacks while traveling

Whether you travel frequently for work or just occasionally for travel . . . you need some snacks while on the road.  Although it has gotten better . . . it still takes some effort to find snacks that are not total garbage.  Never fear . . I’ve found some good ones over the years, below are some of my faves. 

One helpful hint a co-worker once told me . . .  always always always have spare snacks in your bag such as a protein bar, almonds, crackers, piece of fruit, etc.  You never know when you will be sitting on the runway for 2 hours or not have enough time to grab dinner in between flights.  When you get your Starbucks coffee, grab a Kind bar or almonds or a banana with it and throw it in your bag.  This is a lifesaver in certain circumstances.

I also pack snacks to keep in my suitcase for those nights you are starving in your hotel room . . . so that you don’t have to hunt down a vending machine or room service.

Another trick is that I always carry Cinnamon Altoids or mints in my bag . . . in case you don’t have food it carries you over at least a little longer . . . and is better than nothing.

My very first official blog . . . Letterman style. Top 10 recommendations for my Travelermamas or Travelerfriends

How do you pick a topic for your “first” official blog??  This one was easy once I thought about it. 

There will be longer blogs (and pictures!) forthcoming on some of the topics included below . . .  in the meantime I have been asked numerous times “How do you do it???”  I also notice the lack of women business travelers who board with me in my “Zone”.  For so many reasons, there are less of us out there than there are men. 

So for the above reasons I have collected my top 10 recommendations for TravelerMamas and Travelerfriends. 

You CAN do it.  Here’s how.

#1 - Use your resources.  Not everyone has the financial resources to pay for extra help.  However, for those you can fit into your budget – do it. 

·         Have someone clean your house.  Mine comes every week, perhaps you could do every other or once per month. 

·         Use Peapod.  I don’t use this too regularly (I’m a loyal Woodmans girl).  However, for those weeks when I have a crazy schedule, extra travel, less time on the weekend, etc. I use it.  I also used Peapod during the first few weeks of my maternity leave . . . . yes it cost more however having someone bring my groceries to me was invaluable. 

·         Use your family/friends/neighbors.  For those weeks when your spouse/partner has meetings, parent teacher conferences, social events, etc. ask for help.  Don’t be shy about this and don’t be afraid to ask.  The saying is “It takes a village” . . .

#2 - A former colleague and manager gave me this advice when I first entered “the industry”.  It is some of the most valuable advice I have receiving for traveling.  Find those brands which work best for you and use them as often as you can.  Period.  Those who know me know that I am a loyal United, Marriott, and National girl.  I also frequently use Southwest and Hilton.  Having “status” makes all the difference in the world, which you probably already know if you are a fellow road-warrior.  Getting home earlier/faster/quicker, having access to the concierge lounge, boarding the plane before everyone else, and racking up points/miles to redeem for personal use are probably the top benefits I have found.  This topic alone deserves its own blog . . . so I’ll say it once and you’ll hear me say it again.  Get your FF# . . . and use it.

#3 - It is very easy to spend “special time” with your kiddos when you are home on the weekends or after long work trips.  Don’t forget to find time to spend alone with your spouse/partner.  That is just as important . . . but is the first to slide when you have a crazy household with kiddos.  Create time to do fun things together . . . even if that means something as simple as ice-cream & Big Bang Theory reruns once the kiddos are asleep.