To pump or not to pump? Many working moms or moms traveling without their littles ask themselves this. When should I pump? How often should I pump? Where do I store my milk at work? Pumping at work terrified me and pumping while traveling baffled me on how it can be done. This traveling & working mom’s pumping guide will answer all these questions and more!

Traveling & Working Mom’s Pumping Guide

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With my first I didn’t pump at work, big mistake eventually my milk supply took a toll and dropped. My goal was to make it one year breast feeding with my first, unfortunately I only made it 7 months because I dried up. So far I have made it four months and have a great supply! Im filling up my freezer and deep freeze incase I dry up again! The thought of pumping at work freaked me out! How would I find time? would my coworkers hate me for taking longer breaks? how often should I pump? and where would I pump?!

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Pumping at work

How would I find time?

Depending on what you do for work this can be challenging. I have two jobs. I work as a hairstylist and as a CNA. When I work as a CNA I make sure to schedule in my pump breaks during our slow times, and as a hairstylist I schedule them in during my clients processing time. The whole process of set up, pump and clean up usually take me 25- 30 minutes. When I asked my doctor how long I should pump for she told me never less than 10 minutes and 15- 20 minutes ideally. She said even if your milk stops flowing, keep pumping because you can have multiple let downs. 

Will my coworkers hate me for taking longer breaks?

This question gave me so much anxiety! However, honestly I have gotten mostly nothing but support from my coworkers. My favorite response was “Girl don’t worry about when you take your breaks, feeding your baby is the most important thing.” 

How often should I pump?

This totally depends on your baby’s age. When I first went back to work only one day a week my baby was 6 weeks old. At this point he was eating every 2 hours, so thats how often I pumped. I was working 5 to 6 hour shifts at this point, so I fed him right before I left the house, then a pump break 2 hours in, then four hours in and feed him again as soon as I got home. Now my baby at four months eats every 3 to 4 hours. I work 8 hour shifts so again feed before, then pump three hours in, six hours in, and feed when I get home. The milk I pump is then my little guy’s bottles for the next day when I work. On my last day of work that milk is added to my freezer stash and I pump in the morning after a feed on my days off to make bottles for my first day back to work. You can also pump at night before bed but your milk supply is at its peak first thing in the morning.

Where will I pump?

Legally your work has to provide you with somewhere private to pump. Both of my jobs have been more than accommodating to providing me with space and privacy. Another coworker of mine liked to pump in her car instead. They make adaptors for your car plugs ins to outlets for your pump. 

Where to store my milk?

I am not one to just put my milk bottles in the fridge in a communal fridge. I  bring a lunch bag and keep it in the fridge with my milk in it. This also helps keep it cool on the ride home from work. 

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Pumping at work isn’t as stressful as I thought it was going to be and has helped keep my milk supply going strong! I asked my doctor for tips to keep up my milk supply when going back to work and she said to eat plenty of healthy snacks and drink TONS of water. I have researched a little into milk boosting foods and read that avocado, salmon, quinoa, sweet potatoes, oats and coconut do wonders for your supply! Coconut water and milk helps as well. I love to drink Body Armor drinks, they are mostly coconut water and delicious! 

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Its stressful enough to think about pumping at work, but what about while you travel. If you take a vacation or a work trip with out your little one you still need to keep up the same pump/ feed routine. 

 Pumping while Traveling

How Often should I pump?

Just like at work keep up the same feed schedule as your baby does at home based on their age. 

What do I do with my milk?

There are services that will send your milk back home for you and keep it frozen or cold. These services tend to be pricey, so keep in mind that If you have a good freezer stash and don’t need the milk, pumping and dumping is an option. Fed- Ex also has cool shipping. If you aren’t gone for long and only have a small amount of milk to travel home with, with additional screening you can go through security at the airport with breast milk even if you aren’t traveling with baby. If you are driving, bring a cooler and a thermometer to make sure the cooler stays at the right temp the whole trip. 

Where do I pump while flying? 

Airports have lactation rooms that have outlets to pump. If you have to pump on the plane you are allowed to do so in your seat or in the bathroom when the seatbelt sign is off. If you travel often there are wearable pumps for under your bra. Most insurances don’t cover them and they are about 500 dollars out of pocket. 

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Even if you are a working momma or a short trip you can still keep exclusively breastfeeding! Make sure to keep up your supply with lots of water and staying true to your pump/ feed schedule. I hope this Traveling and working mom’s pumping guide answered your questions. If you have any more travel or work pumping tips put them in the comments below!