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Work travel/long flight/pumping

4510heather4510heather member
in Breastfeeding
I've traveled before while pumping, but I need some pointers for an upcoming trip. 

I will be traveling with co-workers (including guys) from our office, to the airport, to the site of a meeting.  We will all be driving together/flying together.  The flight alone is 4.5 hours, with a 1.5 hour drive once we arrive at our destination.  Right now I pump every 4-5 hours.

Any suggestions on how to make this work?  Do I pump in the bathroom right before the flight leaves, and then excuse myself to the bathroom again while the others pick up the rental car upon arrival?  Pump in flight?  If so, any tips for pumping in flight?

Thanks!!
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Re: Work travel/long flight/pumping

  • ForeverNewlyWedsForeverNewlyWeds member
    I personally prefer to pump in the airport before/after flight and co-workers (including guys) would wait/get a coffee or snack. It may have been easier for me though because they knew I was nursing beforehand - not sure if this is something you're comfortable sharing.

    I have pumped both in my seat and in the plane bathroom though and both were fine. I am paranoid though so always ask the flight attendant if it is safe to use because of the batteries... Really I just want to give them a heads up so they don't think it's a bomb or something...

    They have always been totally fine with it, except on one international flight where the flight attendant was a guy. He was also fine with it but apparently new to the whole concept. He was very impressed you could actually pump milk out without the baby... At one point I was even spelling breast pump for him because English was not his first language!

    Anyway, point being no matter where you pump people generally understand.
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  • thedashthedash member
    I would pump right before and after the flight in a bathroom. Just give them a heads up that you need 20-30 minutes. They may go get the rental car or just decide to wait for you. It's really not that long.

    I know some people hate this but I have pumped in a bathroom stall and don't mind it at all. I hang my bag on the door hook and stand next to it and pump. If you bring a hands free bra you can read or do work emails on your phone while you wait. And then you are in the bathroom if you want to rinse or wash anything. It just seems easiest to me. Last time I flew I got a travel toiletry bottle at target and put dish soap in it so that it was small enough to carry on and I could wash my parts. I brought a few gallon size ziploc bags for wet parts.
    DS: 2/17/11          DD: 9/4/13
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  • 4510heather4510heather member
    Thanks ladies!  So glad you mentioned dish soap - totally forgot to pack that (just added it to my bag!!).
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