How to Handle Pumping While Traveling
Whether you’re traveling with your baby or alone, the most important thing is to plan ahead. Full disclosure: even if you plan perfectly, it’s likely that things won’t go exactly according to plan so be emotionally and mentally prepared for that and be ready to improvise. Too often, we assume that it will be smooth sailing because we have a plan in place, so when there’s even a slight deviation from the plan, we get thrown for a loop and start to panic. When planning how you will handle pumping while travelling, in addition to deciding what items you need to carry, you should also take into account the total amount of time you will spend traveling, your baby’s nursing habits, and your regular pumping routine.
5 Tips to Make Pumping While Traveling Easier
1. Invest in a Wearable Pump
Conventional breast pumps are cumbersome at the best of times, but when you’re traveling, they are downright impractical. Packing these pumps means sacrificing precious luggage space because of their sheer size. The ones without batteries are even worse because that means you will have to scout for lactation rooms at airports or rest stops, adding unnecessary stress when traveling. On the other hand, wearable pumps are convenient and easy to use because you can simply slip them into your bra so that you can pump on the go. A word of caution – not all breast pumps are equally good, so user opinions and advice from independent experts on the best wearable pumps will help you weigh the pros and cons of different devices to choose one that suits your needs.
2. Test your Setup
Before you hit the road, spend several days exclusively pumping to test your setup. Make sure you feel comfortable and fully emptied after each session—this step can save you a lot of discomfort during your trip. If your current pump setup doesn’t feel right, take the time to experiment with different flange sizes, styles, or inserts, as well as pump settings, until you find a combination that works for you. Remember, the standard flanges that come with your pump are often basic and may not fit everyone’s needs. There’s a wide range of options available, so explore until you find the perfect fit. If your little one is almost exclusively breastfed, you should spend at least a couple of weeks introducing them to the bottle.
3. Pack Multiple Sets of Pump Parts
When traveling, bring multiple sets of flanges and other pump parts that come in contact with your breast milk. This will save you from the hassle of trying to figure out how to clean your equipment when you don’t have access to a sink. It also ensures that you have backups in case anything breaks. You can also carry Ziploc bags or silicone pouches that are color coded or labelled so that the clean parts go in one bag and the used ones go in the other. This will make it easy for you to clean all the parts whenever you have access to running water. Being prepared with extras can make pumping while traveling far less stressful!
4. Don’t Pack too much Frozen Milk
When traveling for the first time, many moms carry way more frozen milk than they require because they want to be on the safe side. However, this means that you need to pack a cooler with enough ice packs to keep the milk frozen so decide how much you actually need well in advance. Depending on your baby’s feeding schedule, you will probably need enough frozen milk for just one bottle in case your little one gets unexpectedly hungry. According to guidelines from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), you can hold the frozen bag under running water so that it thaws. Another alternative is to fill a large Ziploc bag with water and pop the frozen bag into it so that it thaws quickly.
5. Stick to your pumping schedule
While traveling alone, stick to your pumping schedule even if it’s logistically tough. The last thing you need are clogs which are painful and will leave you feeling miserable throughout your trip. When using a wearable on a flight, you can go to the restroom to set up and then come back to your seat so that you can relax while pumping. Depending on how long you will be away and your milk supply, you can pump and dump or freeze your milk while travelling to bring it back home. While you may feel bad about discarding your milk, if it’s only going to be a few days, it may not be worth the hassle to lug around an insulated carrier.
