Pumping and traveling?

emschott

You ladies may remember me asking a while ago for opinions about attending my sister's destination wedding in Mexico.  Well, last minute, I decided to book a flight, and I'm going next weekend.  DH is staying home with the babies. MIL and FIL live in town, and SIL will also be in town, so he will have lots of help. It's not an ideal situation, and I'm unsure about my decision, but I decided I wanted to be there for my sister. She is beyond thrilled that I am going. 

Anyway, 2 questions for you ladies.  I EBF the babies, pumping while at work and also one session at home for my freezer stash.  I have been fortunate with my supply, and I should have enough milk to last while I'm gone.  I plan to pump 4X a day in Mexico and I hope the trip doesn't affect my supply too much.

 First- I have to pump and dump while I'm there, right?  Even if I had a freezer (don't think I do) I don't know how I'd bring it all home. I expect to pump about 40 oz/ day (Thurs-Mon).

Second, is there anywhere to pump on a plane?  I have a 33 minute layover, and I'm praying I make my flight, much less be able to pump.  Am I just going to have to miss a pumping session or is there some way to do it while flying?

TIA.  

poobear2015

Planes are so tight - I doubt you have a place to do it. What kind of pump are you using? I used to have an electric/battery one and it broke - so I went with a cheap hand pump and its better than my other one! Plus it's easier for travel.

If I were you - I'd take a nursing cover and a hand pump and just apologize to your neighbor in your seat. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! Unless you can skip a session. I'd just be concerned for engorgement's sake.

And I agree with the pump and dump. If it wasn't so far and so long - I'd say you might be able to travel with it using a freeze pack cooler, but Mexico is just too far.

emschott

poobear2015:

Planes are so tight - I doubt you have a place to do it. What kind of pump are you using? I used to have an electric/battery one and it broke - so I went with a cheap hand pump and its better than my other one! Plus it's easier for travel.

I have a Medela Pump in Style Advanced- double electric/battery.  I hadn't thought of a hand pump.  I'm going to have to bring my regular one though, for speed's sake while I'm there.  Pumping 4x a day is going to majorly affect this vacation.

Shawnee11507

You wouldn't have to pump and dump all of it- if you bring a cooler and ice with you. How long is the plane ride? I EP. I flew with DS, about 2.5hr flights each way plus all airport time. There was a 3.5hr delay on one leg of the trip, so I pumped on a seat in the "Family" restroom in the airport. It was stressful because people kept pulling on the door every 2min. I pumped for 20min instead of 30 like I normally do. I would guess your only option on the plane would be to use a cover and do it in your seat. I wouldn't be comfortable doing that, so I would probably skip that pump and maybe do a power pump later. 

bethanyturon

Just wanting to chime in on the pump and dump, you can request a mini fridge in your room and refrigerate your milk.  Bring along a mini cooler and ice pack and fill it up as much as you can with what you've pumped.  As long as the ice pack is frozen when you get to the airport, you will be all set.  If you won't have an ice pack, you could always get ice, they just want to know it's frozen.

kittyh8r

I traveled from Texas to Wisconsin while I was EP. I pumped on the plane both ways. BUT I had my husband sitting next to me in the seat. I don't know how awkward it would be to pump next to a stranger. 

emschott

klutzygrl26:

bethanyturon:

Just wanting to chime in on the pump and dump, you can request a mini fridge in your room and refrigerate your milk. nbsp;Bring along a mini cooler and ice pack and fill it up as much as you can with what you've pumped. nbsp;As long as the ice pack is frozen when you get to the airport, you will be all set. nbsp;If you won't have an ice pack, you could always get ice, they just want to know it's frozen.

This. Also, once I got to the airport and checked in I got some ice from a restaurant in a hotel and dumped in more ice to make sure it stayed cool. I had a hard time finding a plug in to pump.at the airport so I recommend bringing the battery pack.

Thanks for the tips everyone.  So I could check a cooler then? I can't carry it on right?

 

Shawnee11507

You can carry it on. I carried on my pump, cooler with ice pack, 3 bottles of breast milk, and two bottles of water (I had DS with me). You don't have to have LO with you though. Just give yourself extra time to get through security. They put all the bottles (individually) in a special machine to be checked.

cheese.fiend

I'll co-sign on all the ladies saying not to pump-n-dump!  Save the good stuff and carry it right on the plane!  I traveled to Mexico for my best friend's wedding when L was 3 mo old... she came with us, but there were several times on the trip where I was away from her and had to pump - I brought all that milk with me back into the States with no problems. I stored it in the mini fridge (make sure it's in the very back - sometimes the front of those things are barely cool) in our hotel room and then packed a cooler tote full of ice that I carried onto the plane.  

 As for pumping... try and sit by the window, bring a cover, and pump in your seat.  Or, take your pump to the restroom and just pump for 5 minutes to relieve engorgement.