Traveling Without Baby

I was talking with a new mom the other day about traveling without her baby and how she should approach pumping. She's an athlete and was traveling with her team, and she was very concerned about her milk supply dropping while she was away from her little one. I asked her what she was doing to prepare for the separation and let me tell you...she was ON IT! She had already prepared in every way I would have suggested, so PAUSE! Before you read any further, please give her a little applause because she deserves it!

Okay, now let's go over some of the most important things to bring while traveling. The first thing you need to have in your bag is two different pumps. Two?? Really?? If you have that option, its preferable and here's why. First, I would recommend having a pump that actually plugs into the wall. These pumps have a higher suction power and typically more efficient and effective at removing milk that other pumps. This pump should be reserved for while you are at your hotel (or wherever you are staying).

Second, bring a handsfree pump. This can be a wearable pump or even a manual pump, but you need to have something that can fit in a small bag for you to tote around throughout the day. Carrying around a large pump that needs to be plugged in to use may not be ideal in most scenarios.

Bring more storage supplies than you think you will need and research your storage options prior to traveling. If you are staying at someone's home, it will be easiest to ask them to use their fridge/freezer, but if you are in a hotel, be sure to know what options you have in your room.

Okay, now that we've covered the supplies, lets chat about the game plan. I want you to think about what your baby's typical feeding schedule looks like. If baby is nursing every 3-4 hours during the day and every 2 hours at night, then this is the exact pattern you should be following with your pump. It is important that you mimic your baby's feeding schedule with the pump to help your body know that even though baby isn't around, it still needs to continue making milk as usual.

If your baby nurses during the night, be sure to use your pump throughout the night as well. I know... You finally have a night away from baby and you still have to wake up to pump. I hear you. I really do. Here's why I recommend that you do this though. First, its another important factor for keeping up your milk supply while you're away. Second, your body is used to producing milk through the night. If you all of a sudden just stop, you risk becoming engorged and increasing your likelihood for mastitis.

Continuing milk removal on a similar schedule to when baby typically nurses will keep your supply going and decrease your risk for infections and engorgement. It's as simple as that. Pumping is definitely different than nursing on demand considering your pump doesn't cry, so I would suggest setting an alarm on your phone that follows the nursing pattern your baby typically follows. Being away from baby doesn't have to tank your supply. We just have to be strategic and proactive. You've got this. I promise!