Pumping on Business Trip

acmayn01

I'm going to be traveling for work in November and I'm already worried about how it's going to be possible to keep up with pump

acmayn01

Sorry!

Im worried about pumping. I'll be riding in a car with co-workers for 7 hours each way. I know at the hotel I can request a refrigerator to store milk, and my husband/baby will be joining me for part of the trip so I don't have to worry about storing more than a couple of days.

But how in the world am I going to pump while traveling with co- workers? Any tips? Pumping in restaurant bathroom if we stop to eat? What if we don't? I'm really prone to clogged ducts/mastitis anyway, and the minimum time in the car would be 7 hours, longer if we stop.

jlaOK

How comfortable are you with your co-workers? Do they know you pump? I don't think it's unreasonable to request a stop halfway through the trip do you can pump.

shannm

I have a car adapter for my pump. I guess it would depend on who I was traveling with whether I would use it. With some of my coworkers, I would have no problem telling th to hang out in the restaurant while I used the car to pump. Others, not so much. If the car wouldn't be an option, I might just bring a small hand pump and manually pump in the restroom to prevent clogs and keep supply up, not necssarily for milk to use, kwim?

DallasHorn

I've traveled many times and pumped, so here are a few thoughts based on my experience.

First - the hotel fridge is often so small (as in desktop sized) that it's not big enough to store milk. I always take a softsided cooler and put the milk on ice. I change out the ice in the morning and evening - works perfect!

On pumping in the car, I would invest in 2 things...a car adapter and the battery pack. I would simply let your co-workers know you need a 20 minute stop 1/2 way through. Plan on pumping right before and upon arrival. If you are stopping at a regular restaurant, you could order food then go to the car to pump while your co-works wait for food to be cooked/prepared. If it's more fast food, you could pump in the car while they eat and then eat your food on the road.

How old will baby be when you travel? My 3rd is 8 months and while not comfy, I could go 7 hours without nursing or pumping (not on a regular basis), but as a one time thing (there and back) would be ok.

acmayn01

DallasHorn:

I've traveled many times and pumped, so here are a few thoughts based on my experience.

First - the hotel fridge is often so small (as in desktop sized) that it's not big enough to store milk. I always take a softsided cooler and put the milk on ice. I change out the ice in the morning and evening - works perfect!

On pumping in the car, I would invest in 2 things...a car adapter and the battery pack. I would simply let your co-workers know you need a 20 minute stop 1/2 way through. Plan on pumping right before and upon arrival. If you are stopping at a regular restaurant, you could order food then go to the car to pump while your co-works wait for food to be cooked/prepared. If it's more fast food, you could pump in the car while they eat and then eat your food on the road.

How old will baby be when you travel? My 3rd is 8 months and while not comfy, I could go 7 hours without nursing or pumping (not on a regular basis), but as a one time thing (there and back) would be ok.

 

Thank you all for the ideas! I'm not super comfortable with involving my co-workers so intimately with my pumping but I'm not sure I have much choice. I do have a car adapter but hadn't thought of pumping in the car.

Thanks for the recommendation about the cooler!  

MsCrispy

It is awkward to talk about, but I think you have to do it. I have had day long meetings and have had to tell my boss. No need to say a lot. I just say, "I am a nursing mom and will need a break at x time". No need to mention pumping or breast, which I find easier in a work situation.

If it were me, I would prefer to pump in a public bathroom than in the car, unless it was my own car. It seems like it would be weird to stay and pump in someone else's car, but you have to do what you have to do.

terpsfan

How many people will be in the car riding with you?  If it's just you and the driver and another person, you could pump in the backseat by yourself during the trip (many cars have the adapters in the back nowadays).  I've done that before with a receiving blanket/towel/nursing cover over me.  The pump noise is really not much louder than the car noise.  If it's more than 3 (and bless you for having to ride 7 hours in a car with that many people!), I would still pump in the car while the others ate inside etc.  I would hate to have to lug my pump into some random restaurant bathroom and stand in a stall pumping.

At the hotel, definitely ask for the mini fridge and the suggestion of a cooler so you can keep extra ice etc is a great idea

acmayn01

terpsfan:

How many people will be in the car riding with you?  If it's just you and the driver and another person, you could pump in the backseat by yourself during the trip (many cars have the adapters in the back nowadays).  I've done that before with a receiving blanket/towel/nursing cover over me.  The pump noise is really not much louder than the car noise.  If it's more than 3 (and bless you for having to ride 7 hours in a car with that many people!), I would still pump in the car while the others ate inside etc.  I would hate to have to lug my pump into some random restaurant bathroom and stand in a stall pumping.

At the hotel, definitely ask for the mini fridge and the suggestion of a cooler so you can keep extra ice etc is a great idea

If these were my friends or all female I would definitely consider that, but it's simply too awkward. Once I find out who is arranging the car rental/driving I'll probably just mention that I will have to stop to pump somewhere. I wish I could just go alone but that's not an option with the company.  

cfitz16

DallasHorn:

I've traveled many times and pumped, so here are a few thoughts based on my experience.

First - the hotel fridge is often so small (as in desktop sized) that it's not big enough to store milk. I always take a softsided cooler and put the milk on ice. I change out the ice in the morning and evening - works perfect!

On pumping in the car, I would invest in 2 things...a car adapter and the battery pack. I would simply let your co-workers know you need a 20 minute stop 1/2 way through. Plan on pumping right before and upon arrival. If you are stopping at a regular restaurant, you could order food then go to the car to pump while your co-works wait for food to be cooked/prepared. If it's more fast food, you could pump in the car while they eat and then eat your food on the road.

How old will baby be when you travel? My 3rd is 8 months and while not comfy, I could go 7 hours without nursing or pumping (not on a regular basis), but as a one time thing (there and back) would be ok.

I am traveling in September via plane--any suggestions?  I was hoping to freeze my milk at the hotel...but the little fridge is not strong enough?  Argh.