Tag: family vacation

How in the world do you manage a family vacation as a pumping momma? How can you find the time to pump AND enjoy your vacation without going absolutely crazy? It’s possible, I promise! You’ve come to the right place for tips, tricks, troubleshooting, and of course, a great packing list to help you stay sane!

PART 1: General Tips for vacationing as a pumping momma

🏝️*MOST IMPORTANT* Prioritize pumping to protect your supply. (I know it’s a drag, but skipping sessions for days in a row can hurt your supply!)
🏖️Remember all your gear! (Create a checklist to use as you pack)
🏝️Bring a manual pump as back-up (and learn how to use it first!)
🏖️See if you can buy or borrow a smaller, portable pump if you own a large bulky one, for convenience
🏝️Plan how you’ll wash and sanitize bottles and pump parts, especially in a hotel room.
🏖️Call the hotel to see if there will be a refrigerator in your room and access to a microwave if you’ll be using a microwave sterilizer.
🏝️Ask if you could use the hotel’s freezer if you need it.
🏖️Think about what you’ll do with your milk when you are out and about (the CeresChill is great for this, or you can bring a small cooler with ice/ice packs)
🏝️Pack pumping-friendly clothing and a light scarf if you’ll need to pump in public so you don’t miss out on all the action!
🏖️Practice pumping in public somewhere at home if you want to get used to it before vacation.
🏝️If you’re staying at a resort, or visiting a theme park, see if there are any spaces to pump if you are unable to return to your room.
🏖️Make sure to pump before a flight in case there are delays while on the plane.
🏝️Pack your pumping supplies in your carry-on in case there’s a delay while you are on the plane or incase they misplace your luggage!
🏖️Bring small activities for your older children to do while you pump, if needed

PART 2: Troubleshooting family vacations as a pumping momma

😩Crap, I missed a pumping session!
Relax, your milk supply likely won’t dip from one missed or late session, so pump as soon as you can. Plan a better way to get in your sessions tomorrow!

😩I forgot my pump parts!
Been there, momma! Many pharmacies will sell manual pumps, and I have videos for how to use on in my Manual Pump highlight on Instagram. See if you can overnight parts via Amazon.

😩I’m not near an outlet!
Another reason to bring along a manual pump or rechargeable portable pump

😩I’m missing out on all the fun!
Adjust your schedule around your planned outings, or drape a scarf or nursing cover over your flanges and pump in public

😩How do I wash parts?
wash in a separate basin. Amazon makes a cool collapsible one! There’s also a collapsible drying rack, use microwave sterilizer bags to use after washing for extra sanitation!

😩I won’t be able to get back to my room right away-
Use a cooler to store your milk and do the “fridge hack” with your pump parts until your next pumping session. (in hacks highlight on Instagram)

😩There’s no freezer in my room!
If you will need to freeze milk, see if the hotel will allow you to store your milk in their kitchen’s freezer. If not, you may need to look into a portable freezer, dry ice, or donating/discarding extra milk. (Informal donation like “Human Milk 4 Human Babies” on facebook often features women on vacation!)

😩I didn’t pump as frequently as I should have on vacation and my supply decreased!
When you are able, return to a frequent pumping schedule and try power pumping (in my power pumping highlight) to regain your supply. My Milk Supply page of my website has additional tips.

PART 3: Packing for vacation as a pumping momma

Check out my Travel List on Amazon for all links and my Discounts page for all discounts!

• MUST HAVES:
• -Pump and all accessories (make a check-list of accessories!)
• -Power cord (if it detaches)
• -Manual pump
• -Pumping bra
• -Feeding bottles
• -Milk storage pitcher or bottles or bags
• -Cooler and ice packs
• -Basin, bottle brush, dish/bottle soap
• -Drying rack/mat
• -Microwave sterilizer bag
  
• NICE-TO-HAVES:
• -Extra parts (I’d pack an entire spare set of pumping accessories)
• -Nursing cover or light scarf
• -Wearable pump or cups
• -Ceres chill milk chiller
• – Highly rated cooler or cooler that can plug in
• -Travel freezer or fridge if the room doesn’t have one
• -Sharpie to write on freezer bags
• – Activity bags for toddlers or older kids