Anyone pump on a plane?

Boston*bride · August 2014

Tomorrow I leaving for my second business trip since being back at work. My first trip last week was less than three hours away. I could pump in the car, I stayed with my parents who live conveniently near our corporate headquarters, I kept milk in the freezer and then just put it all in a cooler to come home.

Well, this week I will be on the West Coast, and I've thought through most of the logistics (for example, requesting a fridge for the hotel room; making sure I have enough bags, batteries, and ice packs).

But one has me stumped: what to do about pumping on the plane? I guess I could pump right before takeoff and then upon landing in an airport bathroom or something, but its a long flight (6 hours) and I think that will screw with my output (or force me to do a middle of the night session). Would it be overly weird to pump on the plane? This would be the most convenient for me, but I am unsure if it's allowed or would just be too awkward to make it worth it, since I would probably have to do it in my seat (15 minutes is a long time to comandeer and airplane bathroom. Also, gross.)

Would you or have you pumped on an airplane? Any tips?

Rrrrrachel · August 2014

It will for sure be awkward but with a good cover up it seems better than the bathroom or trying to go the whole flight. Maybe a hand pump would be more discrete? I would give the fa a heads up so they don't think you're building a bomb.

baileymama3 · August 2014

It's pretty tight quarters to try to assemble and then pump. Is there somewhere to plug it in? I didn't think planes had outlets. I would pump before I got on and then when I got off. But I also only pump/ feed at night every 6 hours so it's not a big difference.

Boston*bride · August 2014

I have the Medela PISA which has a battery pack, but they also have outlets on the seats on this particular plane. I stuck myself in a window seat so space-wise it should be ok-- but there is no getting around the noise, and the fact that I'll be hooked up to a machine under a blanket. I feel like if there is a man sitting next to me he'll be super weirded out.

Rrrrrachel said:

I would give the fa a heads up so they don't think you're building a bomb.

That made me laugh :-)

Teresa1896 · August 2014

I remember reading about someone pumping on a plane.... @ksulli‌, maybe?
I would ask the flight attendants if they had a place you could use. Anything would be better than pumping in your seat, with strangers all around.

LBStewart · August 2014

Pump in your seat! As an exclusive pumper, I've learned that most people don't get weird about me pumping. In fact, I've had conversations with people who didn't even realize I was pumping until I told them. Use an outlet if possible as you'll most likely get better suction than with the battery. Also, with all the noise in the plane people probably won't even be able to hear it.

ccollins06 · August 2014

I don't have an answer for you but just wanted to say how impressed I am at your dedication:)

As committed as I am to BF I don't think you could pay me to bust out my pump on an airplane. I'm pretty much over my NIP fear, but PIP, I just don't know! I probably wouldn't produce much anyways because I would be super stressed about it. Pre-baby I would have been one of the people weirded out by a breast pumping neighbor. In my post-baby world I would high five you.

All that said, it would just be my personal preference to be a bit uncomfortable and do it before take off and upon arrival. I could be wrong but I don't think it would necessarily kill your supply by going longer than usual just on occasion. I also agree a hand pump is a good option, especially if you're stuck on the Tarmac or something unexpected like that.

GL!

UnofficiallyLO · August 2014

I have a medela hand pump & it's easy to use one handed, small, doesn't make noise. You could always try that with a cover or as pp's mentioned in a flight attendant suggested area. GL!

Amyboxer · August 2014

If you have a few days before your trip I would order a set of Freemies. They are like $50 though

I have totally pumped on the plane with my Freemies in a window seat with PISA and battery pack. My seat was also close to the wing so all of the plane noise cancelled out any pump noise. I told my friend next to me that I was going to pump, put in the cups and did it. When I was taking them out she said "oh I totally forgot you were doing that!" They worked really well for me, if you don't have time to get those then I would probably get a hand pump like pp suggested. But they came within 2 days when I ordered mine

Rrrrrachel · August 2014

It's a good point that the plane will be so loud most people won't be able to hear it. I wouldn't be able to go that long without pumping for my own comfort. Plus the idea of a plugged duct or mastitis on a business trip does not sound fun.

Cfvonfam · August 2014

I've pumped on a plane before... Like PPs said, nobody could hear anything because the plane is much louder. I was using a Medela Swing with batteries. I brought a little cooler with me on the plane and asked for some ice when I was done pumping to keep the milk chilly. But depending on the length of your flight, fresh milk can stay at room temp for 4-6 hours.. Also I asked my husband to change seats so that I could be by the window (less awkward then an aisle seat) and covered myself with a blanket. Honestly it just looked like I was cold and covering myself up. Good luck

it's really no big deal IMO but I'm more nervous about NIP than pumping lol

ksulli · August 2014

I did it when traveling after DD1. I'm impressed you remembered @Teresa1896! I told the gate attendant and they moved me to a row by myself since the flight wasn't full, and I did it in my seat with a cover I also told the flight attendants so they wouldn't wonder wtf was going on with the cover & the noise. If I couldn't get the row alone, I probably would have done it in the bathroom, but if that's your option again, alert the flight attendants so they know why you're in there forever.

Sounds like you've managed TSA with yourself flight, but they may noted you bring ice packs- I had large zip locks so that I could have a mcdonalds or whatever give me ice on the inside of security, and the. I asked the flight attendants to re-fill before we landed so that I could just high tail it to the house once we hit the ground.

Boston*bride · August 2014

This is why I love this board. So much helpful advice! I am definitely going to get a set of freemies...I wish I had posted this question more than 12 hours before my flight.

I told the flight attendant when I got on board I would need to pump and she said, "do it now, it's going to be bumpy for the first two hours and you can't leave your seat"-- and pointed me to the bathroom...! Lucky I had saniwipes with me, because I was so skeeved out. I made it work though, balancing the pump on my lap, sitting on paper towels, and just trying not to touch anything.

5 hours later I was not going to repeat that so I just sucked it up and pumped in my seat. The seat had an outlet, I put the flanges and collection bags under my shirt...it was super awkward, but the guy next to me just kept a poker face the hole time and avoided eye contact and I think it was more weird for me. I did spill an ounce or so all over myself when trying to "disengage" from underneath my shirt (stupid collection bags). But on the plus side, no one could hear the pump, and between my blazer and super blousy shirt no one could see a thing. I think with a set of freemies I'll be a pro at this in no time!

Sidebar-- it is shocking to me how so few airports have pumping facilities. LAX has nothing....Newark had a companion restroom but no one seemed to know where it was...you'd think this would be on a checklist of something when building or renovating a terminal.

Boston*bride · August 2014

Also: definitely just pumped in a semi-empty gate area using the under-the-shirt technique.

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