Traveler Mama: 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.

(This is only for pumping while traveling . . . will address traveling with kiddos separately).

· Choose the higher end options of the hotel chains you have to choose from where possible. Stay at a Marriott rather than Fairfield Inn, or Hilton/Hilton Garden Inn rather than Hampton Inn. They typically have more amenities such as refrigerators for your room.

· That being said . . . the hotel options at the other end of the chain are more likely to help you out with something you need. The Fairfield Inn and Hampton Inn employees stored my ice pack in their private hotel refrigerator multiple times when there were not individual ones available.

· Speaking of ice packs, you can take larger amounts of breast milk through TSA without issue (just declare it before it goes through screening). However, your ice pack does have to be frozen to take it through security. This sometimes requires some thought and planning to keep it frozen, I left mine with a hotel concierge, front desk, or in the trunk of my rental car (in the winter) until I went to the airport most times.

· Call the hotel ahead of time and request your refrigerator. KEY point – tell them you are breastfeeding. They are much more likely to prioritize you or put more effort into getting it when you tell them that.

· At a longer meeting/trip? See if there is a FedEx nearby . . . I have had several teammates who have shipped milk home during the week (they ship on dry ice . . . just make sure someone will be home to receive the package)

· Time it right. If possible choose flights or travel times which accommodate you. I used to arrive to the airport a half hour earlier than I otherwise would have so that I could pump in the car before I went in. If you have a connection, allow enough time to pump in between if possible.

· Work meeting? Take your pump breaks when needed where you are able. Myself and other current colleagues I have excuse themselves early for lunch, come back late from breaks, etc.

· I used a Medela Pump-In-Style line and would use it again, I did not have a manual pump but do think “next time” that may have been easier in some situations or would have come in handy during some tight travel timelines in addition to my electric one.

· I don’t endorse any specific brands or products, but I will say the types of products below are a must. They make your life so much easier while pumping on the road –

Microwave steam bags