As a new mom who travels for work, I've learned how to balance my pumping needs while on the go. Traveling with a baby or young child is already a challenge, but adding pumping into the mix requires preparation, organization, and a bit of flexibility. In this article, I’ll share the essentials I pack, tips for managing temperature-sensitive breast milk, and advice on how to communicate your pumping needs while traveling.
Packing the Essential Breast Pump Travel Bag
When it comes to traveling while pumping, preparation is key. I pack for two specific scenarios: 1) pumping on the airplane or in a nonideal area of an airport, and 2) pumping in a conference-provided mother’s room or a nonideal private area. Here’s a list of essentials that ensure I'm prepared for both situations:
Packing List:
- Insulated cooler backpack with separate compartments to prevent milk from warming up.
- Insulated milk bag to keep milk fresh.
- Travel breast pump (small and battery-powered) and bottles, along with a manual pump as a backup.
- Pump cleaning wipes for quick cleaning on the go.
- Refrigerator thermometers to ensure milk stays at the right temperature.
- Gallon zip-top bags for storing milk.
- Printouts of TSA and airline policies regarding travel with breast milk and pumps.
- Permanent pen for labeling milk bags.
- Travel pump parts cleaning kit for efficient cleaning.
- Long-lasting ice packs (must be frozen solid to pass through security).
- Hand sanitizer wipes and travel-size baby bottle dish soap.
- Big plastic container for washing pump parts.
- Battery pack backup to charge devices.
- Nursing cover for privacy when pumping on a plane seat.
Travel Tips for a Smooth Pumping Experience
Once you're packed, it’s time to optimize your pumping experience during travel. Here are some travel tips that have helped me manage the logistics of pumping while on the go:
1. Pre-assemble Pump Parts: I recommend assembling pump parts and storing them in zip-top bags separately. For long flights (10-12 hours), I pack three kits, each with one pump part set, fully assembled, along with two milk bags. This allows me to pump one side at a time and swap bags between sides (or when one bag is full). This way, I can avoid needing to clean parts until I reach my destination.
2. Temperature Management: Temperature control is crucial for breast milk safety. I use thermometers to verify that my milk stays at the correct temperature. Breast milk can last up to seven days at < 4°C, but if the temperature rises to 8°C (typical of a cooler with ice packs), it lasts only 24 hours. An insulated milk bag with ice packs stored inside a cooler can maintain a temperature of 1-3°C, depending on the ice’s freshness.
3. Hotel Refrigerators and Power: On two of my trips, the hotel mini-fridges only reached 8°C. A steady supply of ice in zip-top bags brought it down to the ideal 4°C. Be cautious of hotel rooms with power-modulated refrigerators—when the key card is removed, the fridge turns off. Use a business card to keep the power on, and leave a note for the cleaning staff if necessary.
4. Shipping or Toting Your Breast Milk: For longer trips, I recommend shipping your breast milk home in a temperature-controlled box. For trips shorter than five days, I prefer checking the refrigeration box as luggage. If shipping, always include a thermometer so the recipient can verify the milk's temperature upon arrival. You can either use a full-service kit or purchase your own refrigeration box for more flexibility and eco-friendliness.
How to Talk About Pumping Needs
One of the biggest hurdles in traveling and pumping is overcoming the shyness of talking about it with others. I quickly realized that most people are more than willing to help once I vocalized my needs. Here are some tips for addressing pumping needs with colleagues, conference organizers, and even seatmates on a plane:
1. Speak Up: Don’t be shy! As soon as I started talking openly about my need to pump, I found that most people were eager to accommodate me. Whether on a plane or at a conference, I always communicated my pumping needs to adjacent seatmates or event organizers, and I was met with understanding and support.
2. Conference Organizers and Managers: Surprisingly, I was the first person to ask for a mother’s room or private space at conferences, but each organizer was more than happy to provide it. When discussing my needs with managers or travel organizers, they were often proactive in making accommodations to fit my pumping schedule, such as shifting meeting times or securing private spaces for me to pump.
3. Normalize the Experience: It’s important to break through any reservations and talk about the challenges of breastfeeding and pumping. By doing so, we help normalize the experience for ourselves and others. The more we speak up, the easier we make it for the next person and help create a more supportive environment for all working moms.
Final Thoughts
Traveling as a new mom doesn’t have to be daunting, even if you’re pumping. With a little planning and the right essentials, you can pump comfortably and efficiently while managing your work commitments. By speaking up about your needs and preparing in advance, you can make the experience easier for yourself and others. Remember, every time we take on these challenges, we help make the journey smoother for those who follow.
