Lactation Consultant

Pumping while traveling can be, well, challenging. Not only does your carry-on load get that much heavier with the weight of your breast pump, finding private places to pump can be difficult at times. And even if you find a private bathroom stall, once you turn that baby on, the noise can ruin your anonymity.

A few months ago I had my first experience with pumping while travelling when my husband and I went to Las Vegas. It was our first time away from baby, and I thought pumping would simply be a minor inconvenience during the trip. Unfortunately, I turned out to be wrong. The airport proved to be the hardest place. I am a bit of a self-proclaimed germaphobe and the bathrooms at SEA-TAC did not help with my fear. As you probably know, it is easiest to pump in a comfortable, seated position. A place for the pump to sit on is also helpful. Well, let’s just say I mastered a juggling act during the wait for the flight! I tried to block out the “Wha-wah, Wha-wah sound the pump made as it did its work. The worst part for me was dumping that liquid gold into the toilet. It was like throwing hard work down the drain. Thankfully, the flight took place during hours where pumping was not necessary, so I did not have to join that mile-high club. Once we got to the hotel, things got way easier. I could pump in the privacy of my cushy hotel room and was able to time it between blackjack, shopping, dinner and shows.

While the thought of giving up did cross my mind on the trip, it actually turned out to be not such a bad experience after all. Once I got the hang of juggle-pumping, things got easier, and I was able to relax and enjoy my trip, while maintaining my milk supply. I was worried that when I got home, my daughter would not want to nurse. But my worries subsided once I got her in my arms and she went straight for the breast, like no time had passed.

Here’s a link to a useful article from deliciousbaby.com entitled, “Practical Tips for Breastfeeding and Pumping in an Airport”