Pumping On The Go!

My fourth baby has come with a lot of challenges. In the blink of an eye I went from a 100% breastfeeding mama straight from the breast to a 100% exclusively pumping mama feeding through an NG tube. I had no idea how hard pumping was until I had to do it.

This weekend we loaded up all four kids and went off on an adventure to the “water park capital of the world!” Wisconsin Dells. I had no idea how I was going to make this work along with my pumping schedule but I have learned some valuable tips that I’d like to share.

1. If possible bring an extra supply of milk. I was able to bring several ounces that I had previously pumped at home. Knowing in the back of my mind that I had an extra stash took a lot of the pressure off. I still made sure to get my pumps per day in but I also allowed myself grace and didn’t stick perfectly to the rigid schedule I do at home.
2. With that said, bring more than you think you might need. Due to some sort of storage mishap, I had to dump 16 ounces down the drain. At one point I feared all of my milk was bad and panicked about having to go purchase formula because I am a “just enough er” Traffic, temperature fluctuations, etc. anything can happen. I’m so glad I was extra prepared.
3. I have several pumps available to me. A spectra s2, spectra s9, and a Medela symphony. I used to s9 to pump in the car while my husband was driving. I used to s2 in the hotel room. I brought the s9 into the water park and pumped covered by a towel. No one seemed to notice or care and it allowed me to remain with my family having fun rather than retreating to my room to pump. The less isolating this is, the better I personally feel about it.
4. Bring reusable ice packs. I have about 15 that I used to keep that extra milk cold on the drive up. They double as drink coolers for the super hot water park.
5. Have your pumping stuff somewhere close to bed if you still pump in the middle of the night. I find myself extra tired while on trips just from the excitement of the day. The last thing I want to do it go to another room or space to pump while everyone else is sleeping. My daughter has a lot of medical equipment so I pulled a recliner next to the bed to set up her stuff and my pumping stuff.
6. Bring dish soap and a bottle brush to clean your parts. No one wants to pay $10 for soap at a resort store.
7. I purchased the Medela wipes to clean my pump parts while in the water park. I normally pump so often that I don’t clean them every time but with the high temperatures in the water park, I didn’t want to take any chances.
8. Last, have fun! Pumping, especially exclusively, is a huge job. We deserve to enjoy ourselves and pat ourselves on the back! This is hard work, you earned a time to relax. With some preparation and planning, pumping on a trip will become just another thing.