Pumping and driving Q + intro

ejb23

New here and getting ready to return to work in a few weeks. I wanted to ask about pumping and driving. Is it safe, easy, doable for daily commute? I have at least an hour- hour and half each way. If you do pump while commuting so you still pump at work too?
Thanks!!

welly01

Yes, it is doable and I highly recommend it with a commute that long.  I had a similar commute and pumped to and from work and also pumped at work twice during the day.  Pumping to and from work is probably the main reason I was able to continue breastfeeding and keep up my supply.  I had a Simple Wishes pumping bra and a nursing cover.  When I first started, I would get set up before leaving the house and then put everything up once I arrived at work.  But after doing it awhile, I got good enough that I could hook everything up while driving and put everything away once I was done.  I recommend having a small towel to put on your lap for any drips and to wipe off with.  Also, I guess it depends on what type of pump you have.  Mine is a Medela freestyle, do its pretty portable and easy.  You might also consider power pumping every once in a while.  That is where you pump 10 mins, rest 10 mins, pump 10 mins, etc.  You should have the time to do that on your commute and helps you keep up your supply.  Good luck!

Karla CS

Disclaimer: I don't pump while I'm driving.

I can see having everything set up and running before you go, but to set up and disassemble while driving? That seems even more dangerous than texting while driving. Maybe it's just me, but in an emergency, I'd be easily convinced to drop a phone in my lap to get one or both of my hands back to the wheel. I can imagine myself having to pause and wonder if I really want to risk a lap full of breastmilk to get those same hands back, even though one would think it's a 'no brain' decision.

I feel the same way about eating in the car, putting on makeup, etc. A car is a half ton weapon in inattentive hands - you have a responsibility to yourself, your baby, and the other drivers on the road to treat it as a such.

wpavalko

I pump while driving to and from work, but only in ideal conditions. My commute is an hour, with the middle 30 minutes on a road with almost no other drivers. I set up my pump before I go, and once I get on that road, pump one side, then the other. I tried it with a hands-free bra, but it just seemed more difficult than holding the pump.

But like PP said, it is sort of like texting and driving if you are not careful. If there is heavy traffic or bad weather, I just wait until I get to work and park. While it is convenient, its an extra factor to distract you while driving. And you need to be willing to risk having to drop it (and all that precious BM!) in an emergency.

I also don't feel comfortable pumping if there is heavy traffic. I tried it once, and I'm 90% sure that a semi driver got a very nice view when the blanket I was using to cover up slipped...

Myaflowers

I pump every day on my way to work. I use a hands-free bra, set up everything before I leave my driveway, wear a nursing cover, and break everything down once I'm in the parking lot at work. It is really no big deal. My hands never leave the wheel, and I drive in traffic and no one has ever given me a second look. My nursing cover is actually a gray tshirt I cut open down the back and wear backwards. It blends very well and covers everything.

cedenton

I did it. I had a car/AC adapter for the hospital grade pump I rented. It really wasn't a big deal. I used the Freemie system and liked it, too. I did it to/from work plus 2-3 times at work. But I had an abysmal supply (Stopped altogether at 3 months).
https://www.freemie.com/

Yeah, no assembling/disassembling occurred while driving. Only before leaving home/after arriving at work.

skyejo

I pumped on the drive to and from work.  I set everything up before I left--hands free bra, pump plugged in, cover on--and took everything off when I arrived at my destination.  At the beginning I also pumped mid-afternoon at work, but by 7 months I was just doing the driving while pumping drill.

Mrs_D_in_KY

I pumped while driving quite a bit when I was BFing my son 4 years ago. I just made sure to hook up before I left and throw a nursing cover over me while driving