On-the-Go Pumping: My Lifeline for Working Moms
How to make pumping on the go as easy as possible when you're juggling all the things.
I was living my dream - a c-suite executive at a tech start up and carrying my baby girl that I waited five years for inside of me. After a sweet (and hard!) three month maternity leave, I returned to work full-time. Prior to having my daughter, I was traveling about once a week on average, which I really enjoyed.
Going back to work, I didn’t travel for the first six weeks or so post-maternity leave but then started to get the itch to be on the road, so I did my first 24 hour trip in August and then built up to traveling twice a month, usually for 1-2 nights at a time.
I remember this one time at DFW airport in Dallas, I landed in my jeans, blazer, and Sneex, swung by the bathroom, popped on my wearable pumps, and made my way to the app-sharing pick up station with my suitcase in hand. I smiled to myself and thought, “I’m doing it…I’m actually doing it. I’m pumping milk for my baby at home and on my way to an important business meeting that I’m excited about.”
I realize this is not everyone’s dream, and that’s okay! But it was mine, which made losing my job nine months later hurt that much worse (but that’s a story for another day.) I filmed this video back in January about a month before I got laid off to send to a friend who was traveling for work for the first time post-partum.
As a working mom passionate about inspiring other moms, I've found my groove in managing the daily demands of pumping while traveling. If you’ve ever wondered how to make it work, I’m here to share my tried-and-true system that has made all the difference for me.
So here’s the video, a breakdown below, and the list to buy all the things as well. Enjoy! And let me know your questions, thoughts, and comments in the thread below.
Finding the Right Gear
The keystone to my travel system is my Olivia wearable breast pumps. Trust me - stop looking and just buy these if you’re a mom on the go. I tried Willows, and they were terrible. I LOVE these Olivias. They come in a large case, but I prefer a softer zipped bag that still fits everything I need perfectly. My go-to travel essentials include my Olivia pumps, nipple cream, and a small bottle of dishwashing soap for cleaning on the go. These live in my beloved Lo & Sons work bag—an investment that’s truly paid off in convenience to carry all my supplies, laptop, and look cute while doing it.
The Importance of Packing Strategically
I always carry two Ceres Chill containers, situating one in my backpack and the other in my suitcase. It’s a flexible system that adapts based on how far I’m traveling. The innovative design allows me to keep everything organized and makes passing through TSA a breeze. Trust me, these containers are life-changing for moms constantly on the move. They’re like Yetis for breastmilk.
Navigating Hotel Stays with Ease
Hotel stays used to be stressful, but I’ve developed a routine. The night before departure, I hand my lunchbox (designed with built-in ice packs) to the front desk requesting it be placed in their freezer. The staff is usually receptive, and this small step ensures my breast milk stays cool until I can transfer it into storage bags in the mini-fridge. This ritual has become a seamless part of my travel routine, and I encourage every mom to try it. Your lunch box with breastmilk is a free carryon, so you can have your lunchbox, backpack, and suitcase for carryon.
Creative Cooling Solutions
On shorter flights, especially when time is tight from hotel checkout to returning home, I bolster my cooling efforts with a little creativity. I’ve definitely been seen scurrying through the airport en route to Burger King to fill Ziploc bags with ice and slip that into my lunchbox. The extra cooling it provides is invaluable and is a little trick that lowers my anxiety for keeping my milk cool on the plane.
On-the-Go Pumping & Breastfeeding Accessories
Loving What You Do
I’m deeply passionate about supporting fellow moms on this journey. To those who feel overwhelmed thinking about how to manage these tasks while traveling, I hope my system provides comfort and guidance. Whether you’re deciding between different pump options or strategizing packing logistics, remember: you can do it…if you want to!
I hope that sharing my experience brings a little peace of mind and encouragement to other moms out there navigating the dynamic worlds of work and motherhood. There’s no perfect way, but there’s a way that works for each of us. We can do this, and we can make it work. Thank you for letting me be part of your journey.
Might need to try the Olivia’s next time around. Tell me why you didn’t like the Willow?! Also a portable wash basin is brilliant.