Breastfeeding and traveling away from baby

Re: Breastfeeding and traveling away from baby

• kdrn913 member

  October 2016

  I never traveled without baby but have transported breastmilk. Each tsa is different but I would suggest getting online and reading their guidelines. There is no limit on the amount of breastmilk you can carry. You can also use ice packs when your normal can't. If you are traveling somewhere in the US, I have heard that dry ice is amazing for keeping milk cold/frozen so that's a good option. I took plenty of extra milk bags to store and then only a few bottles so it didn't take up as much space. As far as cleaning goes, I just took a small bottle of dish soap and used that to clean! Hopefully it goes well for you and you have a great time and are able to enjoy yourself away from the baby!! 

  Report0 Reply
• Loading the player...
• mb0112 member

  October 2016

  Pumping and cleaning parts in the hotel should be no problem with a kitchenette or bathroom sink.  I'd recommend bringing a battery pack adapter so you can pump anywhere during the day if you are out and about.  Bringing some extra parts would help too, in case you lose something like the little white membranes and you don't want to worry about finding a store that sells them.  If you are comfortable pumping anywhere you will be fine.  If you're like me and get embarrassed about it and want lots of privacy, tell your husband you want to know how the pumping breaks will work (e.g. Will there be a short flight or layover, or will you have to pump on the place?) just so you aren't tense worrying about your next move!
  
  I did 2 nights away when my baby was 3 months and the pumping worked fine, used the hotel most times and the car a couple times.  Being away from the baby was much harder (she did fine but I missed her too much)

  Report0 Reply
• UnbreakableKimmySchmidt member

  October 2016

  I have just down two separate nights away from DD.  I did not fly, so no advice there, however I did pump.  I did not save my milk that I pumped (I know, breaking the golden rule of BF) but LO is not a huge fan of freezer milk and I have such a stash already.  Not saving the milk made everything easier.  If you do save the milk I would just get a bunch of freezer bags and store the milk in there in a soft-sided cooler (for traveling).  
  
  I honestly was more worried about DD having enough milk while I was gone.  I would recommend coming up with a plan for that first (pumping days in advance, making sure she takes freezer milk, etc).  My nights apart ended up to work out fine, DD had enough milk and BF is still going well.  GL!

  Report0 Reply
• WBORDERS member

  October 2016

  I haven't traveled away from baby like that but I do EP. I have a medela PISA backpack that goes wherever I go pretty much. I use milk storage bags to save space and use the cooler box with a frozen ice pack that came with my pump. In total I am away from a fridge/freezer for 12 hrs each day and my milk always stays sufficiently cold. I use
  soap and water to wash parts while I'm at work but i also keep a pack of the pump wipes in my bag in case I am some where with out water. Having an extra set of all the pieces is a good idea too! I usually end up pumping in the car when we are away from home but I think you can make it work where ever! 
  
  If you dont usually pump you could probabaly get away with a manual pump. That could be more private on a plane or something since you won't have all the noise. 
  

  Report0 Reply
• duendef member

  October 2016

  Thanks ladies! I do pump during the work day, so I have a pretty good system down. I guess I'm just nervous about not really being able to plan due to the surprise factor of the trip. Also just transporting milk for days makes me nervous. I bought a battery pack for my pump, lots of storage bags, extra membranes, and I have an extra set of flanges. I think I'll also put some dish soap in a little traveling container and possibly bring some of those wipes too. 
  
  i guess I'm also anxious about pumping while flying. For those of you that have done it, did you just pump in an isolated area of the airport? Bathroom (NOT ideal)? On the plane? 
  
  Also, does anybody have experience with the freemies? I'm wondering if there's any advantage in getting those. 
  
  Also sucks to still have to wake up in the middle of the night to pump while on vacation. Ah the things we do for these little babes of ours...

  Report0 Reply
• UnbreakableKimmySchmidt member

  October 2016

  Many airports have "mother's rooms" or nursing pods for BF or pumping.  You should be able to find one if you are flying into/out of a major airport!

  Report0 Reply
• ejled member

  October 2016

  I have the Freemies. And while they are nice and discreet-ish during use, you then face the task of transferring the milk into storage bags...and that may be a little tricky to do if on the plane, but certainly can be done. 
  
  Definitely take along a manual hand pump. And yes, I would simply sit in my seat and pump while flying. You can always use a nursing cover or scarf if you prefer. I can pump fairly discreetly, but then again I don't care if someone were to notice me. 
  
  I have a Sarah Wells pump bag and Pumparoo wet/dry bag. The wet/dry bag is wonderful, because I do not wash parts at work. I just toss them in the bag and into the fridge. If you could store parts in a cooler bag with ice pack you could cut down on the cleaning aspect while you are traveling. Just be sure to wash parts good at the end of the day. 

  Report0 Reply
• mb0112 member

  October 2016

  This is a tip for after the vacation-- don't plan much of anything for the 24 hours after you return.  Your baby might want to "catch up" by nursing constantly, even if she ate fine from the bottles, in an effort to reconnect! 

  Report0 Reply
• duendef member

  October 2016

  Thank you! And yes, I am very concerned about ruining my nursing relationship, so I'm all for a nurse-in reconnection party (if she'll have me!)! And thanks for the other tips. I'll have to check out that wet bag. I also don't wash my parts between use as I pump in my car (work out of my car), so I typically just rinse and place in my cooler, but it becomes such a hodgepodge of bottles and stuff, and isn't that large, a bag would be useful. Thanks again! 

  Report0 Reply
• wildtot member

  October 2016

  I've flown a few times with out lo and I've had to pump on an airplane. I did it under a cover (next to men and women). Unfortunately no special treatment on a plane but I did tell those next to me in case they felt uncomfortable. I asked for a fridge at every hotel and us a manual pump. I pumped in the car while DH was driving and had a cooler that I know would at least keep it cold for about 5-8 hours. Medela sells quick clean wipes to make cleaning easy and I always run my parts through hot water a few times a day. Tsa did not give me issues but did get checked due to my many bags. You can print their rules as back up should they give you issues. If I knew I was not going to be able to store I just dumped but it was pretty rare. Good luck and enjoy yourself!!
  
   excuse my drive by. My phone app likes to log me out and I hate having to sign in each time. I'm more active on fb.

  Report0 Reply
• thaisac1 member

  October 2016

  I'm headed to Toronto tomorrow, and back on friday. Will be away for a little over 24h. I am considering just dumping the milk.... I have a freezerfull at home, and I don't know if I want to have the hassle of keeping it refrigerated, carrying it back etc.... It will hurt to dump though...
  

  Report1 Reply