Seeking Tips for Pumping on a Plane

If you pump fast, then use the bathroom, if not maybe get a seat in the back of the plane and use a blanket, it may be a bit odd for you, but it is better then pain and blockages

Hi! I had to pump on an international flight. What I found worked best was to tell one of the flight attendants so that they were aware as to why I was in the restroom for such a long time. Plus they were able to reroute other passengers to another available restroom.
B.

Hi S.,

I did pumping on planes, trains and automobiles and my recommendation for the plane is avoid it if possible. The big issue is power supply (I didn't have a great adapter) - I bought a supposed converter for my seat and the 'Juice' had every possible converter... unfortunately, the airline people had no clue how to get it to work at the seat. SO I ended up pumping in the restroom for over an HOUR because the power supply is so much slower than regular. I was traveling economy to Ireland and even though the First Class section in front of us was empty, I wasn't allowed to use that restroom, so I ended up irritating lots of people. I was able to go four to six hours without pumping so other than that trip, I was able to avoid it within the US as I traveled shorter flights - if I nursed before I left, it helped a lot because it seemed like she was able to really drain me :)

My favorite part about traveling with a breast pump is 90% of the time the security people asked what it is when I went through security - some of the men's faces were priceless and I was waved through pretty quickly!

You'll find, though (if you haven't already), that even public restrooms have power supply issues if you want any privacy at all (or a place to SIT). I found some that didn't have any power supplies where you would think they would.

You might be able to talk your way into an airline club if you explain and my guess is those have better options - I never actually tried it as I was never at the airport long enough to be able to spend the time.

Be sure that wherever you go you have disinfectant wipes to use for your hands and anything your bag might touch - if you're already pumping elsewhere, you probably already have supplies and a method already (I started when my daughter was four weeks as my hubby was staying home).

I even wrote an article for La Leche about breastfeeding in the modern world because there is not a lot of help or support when mothers want to breastfeed and work. If you have any questions, I am certainly willing to give you info on my experiences at least - my e-mail is ____@____.com. Sorry this is so long but I always have a lot to say on this one :)

Best of luck in your travels!

S.

Hi S., if I were you I would try to pump right before your flight and right after. If there is a delay and you have to pump on the plane use the bathroom or ask the flight attendant if there is a privet place you to pump on the plane. Good luck & have a great trip.

Hi S.,

I have pumped on a plane before. I just used the battery adapter for my pump and then covered myself with a nursing cover <http://www.mothersboutique.com/nursingcover.html&gt;. I did it right in my seat and I don't think the person next to me even knew what I was doing. You can also cover yourself with a blanket - but the nursing cover is easier since it stays on. I had a portable cooler with me to put the milk in once it was expressed.

Have a great trip!
J.

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Hi,
Pumping while you travel isn't always easy or comfortable or discreet, but it can be done. I've done it once or twice, but that was 2 years ago now. I agree with the previous poster that you should aim to locate a suitable restroom (or other room if its available, but not likely) at the airport and pump as close to flight boarding time as you can. Then, you could try to verify what aircraft you'll be on to confirm there is an outlet in the bathroom, but on longer flights I think most planes would have an outlet, so if you needed to pump mid-flight you could. Then lastly, it seems you would need to pump at your arrival airport (so as not to get uncomfortable while waiting for luggageall time it takes to get to your actual destination). Of course you'll need to travel with your bottles/pouches, take some of the quick cleaner wipes to clean your pump parts, your cooler/ice pack and if you're not travelling with your little one, or not prepared to pump and dump, make sure your hotel/destination has a refrigerator. Don't know if that's the types of tips you were looking for, but it can be done & I know other moms that have done it many times over the first year. Good luck!

Good luck!

If you were bringing the baby, I would just nurse her on the plane and forget pumping. If not, I would just duck into the toilet area with a battery powered pump (in a bag) and pump only for a few minutes to take the pressure off. I am assuming you have one of those coast-to-coast flights with no lay-overs. If you had a lay-over, I would do a full pumping if time allows. Only you know how long you can go between feedings without trouble. You may be able to increase time between feedings/pumpings before you go. Are you pumping more than needed at work? Lower demand decreases supply, and demand should be decreasing at 9 months. You may need to reassess the frequency of feedings/pumping at her age. See if baby is ready for more mushed-up table food. (I didn't bother with expensive store-bought baby food, just smooshed whatever was for dinner for the rest of us). That will spread out the milk demand and maybe require only one short pumping in the middle of a six-hour flight. Toss whatever you pump since you can't store it properly.

Hey S.,

I used to travel a lot for my job, but by car. I used to use a manual pump. I think it was an Avent pump. I used to get two nine ounce bottles when I'd pump so it definitely can work! You could just cover yourself with a blanket and pump right in your seat if you wanted. It usually took me about 10 minutes a boob, but I used the manual pump a lot and so I was used to it. You could practice with one before you leave. Just another option! Good luck!

The bathroom in the back of the plane would be discrete.

Well can't say that I have done this before, but besides going to the bathroom to pump. I do believe that they have small pumps that you may be able to discretely put into your bra and they pump for you and I believe that they are pretty quiet. I'd check it out on line. Otherwise, I'd pump in the bathroom before you get on the plan as much as you can possibly pump and them maybe you will only have to pump once more on the plane. Or if you have a layover you can pump again at the next airport. Sorry this not a lot of help. but thought I'd giv eyou a little input since I notice no one else had yet. Jennifer

I love my avent manual pump. I am traveling on a plane in a few weeks and I just invested in Baby Blinders from http://www.papoosebebe.com/index.htm. One of my friends has it and swears by it. I am going to use it to pump and to nurse discretely. Good luck.

I have not had this situation before. It sounds like your priority for pumping is for your comfort and not necessarily a need for the milk. In that case, I would opt for hand expressing I think. I have a pretty simple pump (Medela single electric) but it's noisy. I don't think I could be discrete with it in my seat. In the bathroom it might be ok, but then you have to deal with carrying it. If you don't need the milk, you could even just hand express just enough to take the pressure off and get you the rest of the trip and then dump the milk.