The pump I'm currently using is really compact and it can be battery operated, which is perfect for traveling! You won't always have an outlet to plug into. I use the Lansinoh Signature Pro Double Pump.
Here's what I packed for my trip:
- Breast pump
- Large cooler bag (I purchased the black one shown below. Simple, big and inexpensive)
- Small cooler bag (gel lined) (This small one was to use in case I was out long and needed to pump and store the milk immediately)
- Ice Packs (3)
- Milk bags (25)
- Milk containers (4)
- Pump/Accessory wipes
- Bottle soap
- Ziploc bags (large and small)
- Nursing cover
- Tote bag
- Extra pump parts
- Nursing pads
- Extra Batteries
You're allowed to carry on your breast pump and supplies. It doesn't count as your one bag and one personal item. I purchased a fairly large tote bag and put the pump, supplies and small cooler in it for the departing flight. I knew that I'd have to pump once before boarding the flight so I packed my small cooler with ice packs. I had no problems going through security with ice packs even with no milk in the cooler yet. They didn't ask me any questions and I went through rather quickly.
LAX has designated "nursing" rooms for mother's who are breastfeeding and/or pumping. Kool right? These rooms have a baby changing table, outlets, chair and sink. They also lock so you have some privacy. It was actually really convenient and I was able to use this room right before boarding my plane. I pumped for about 15 minutes and put the pumped milk into the small cooler with the ice packs (milk will be fine in a cooler for up 24 hours).
I was pumping every 4-5 hours during my stay in New Orleans. I had to make plans knowing I couldn't be without a pump for more than 5 hours. There's just so much cleaning when it comes to pumping. Pumping seriously takes a lot of work and lots of washing! By the end of my trip, I had almost 50 oz of milk to take back home. I distributed it into 3-4 oz milk baggies and labeled them. I was going back and forth about whether or not to freeze or refrigerate the milk, but since freezing milk kills some of the good nutrients and I didn't want to risk the milk thawing at all on the flight home, I decided to keep the milk refrigerated. Refrigerated milk stays good up to 5 days. If my trip had been longer than 4 days, I would have frozen the milk.
The day of my return flight home, I packed my large cooler with all the ice packs and milk baggies. It was just big enough to fit everything. I was unsure whether TSA would give me a hard time about the milk, but I had no issues. They didn't even ask questions and I didn't have to get swabbed or anything. MSY has designated "nursing" rooms as well. I pumped one last time and boarded my flight. Once I got home, I put all the milk bags in the freezer. Hooray!
Some tips:
- Print out the TSA rules pertaining to breast milk just in case someone gives you a hard time.
- Don't forget to bring a nursing cover. I had to pump in a restroom one time and needed the cover.
- Keep some Ziploc bags with you. I kept gallon and sandwich sized bags in my purse. At the airport you can ask a store to fill it with ice so you can put in your cooler.
- Do some research on the airports you are flying from and into. I mapped out where the designated nursing rooms were so I didn't waste any time trying to find them.
- Keep some hand sanitizer with you. Might not be able to wash your hands properly all the time.
I have to admit, I was quite glad when I reunited with the family and with Ava specifically. Missed nursing her and I was happy to have a break from having to clean tons of tiny pump parts. Oh, and the kids were great with Ken while I was gone. They went down each night with no problems and both were well behaved. Perhaps that means I should get away more often!
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