Talk to me about your experiences flying while nursing without LO. I'll be traveling for work next week and will need to pump while I am gone. I know breastmilk is allowed through security but nobody likes to deal with the TSA. Is it a hassle? How and where did you pump in the airport or on the plane? Anything else I need to know?
-
I've taken two business trips since having LO so I have limited experience. Some airports have nurseries (at least SFO does). It says 'parents with children' only but I'm sure you could pump there. I've pumped in the bathroom but it's not ideal. You can also pump with a cover wherever.
I forgot pump parts on one really long day trip. My boobs hurt really bad on the plane when they were engorged so I would recommend pumping before flying.
I had an issue with TSA once. They said I couldn't take my ice pack through because it had melted. I pulled out the TSA breast feeding guidelines and tried to persuade them to let me take it through. No luck. Eventually I broke into tears (not my finest moment) and they let me through with my ice pack. I haven't heard of anyone else having this issue. To prevent it on my latest trip I packed my empties with ice water at the start of the day and poured them out before pumping. My ice pack still melted but at least I could say I tried my best.
-
I've never had to fly with liquids without LO, but I know DH's coworker had a horrible time flying while pumping and transporting milk/ice packs. I would print out all the rules to have on hand (maybe even have a copy of LOs birth certificate to prove you actually have a baby??), and be nice to them - patience goes a long way!
-
I flew with frozen milk and frozen ice packs and had no problem. I declared it as soon as I put my stuff down and they checked it separately, but they didn't give me any trouble. I was kind of ready for a fight, too
I have not pumped at the airport so can't help with that.
-
I took two trips last year while I was still breastfeeding. It really wasn't that bad. When coming home with pumped milk that I had to keep chilled, I just had it packed with bags of ice and no one stopped me or even searched it. I made sure to ask each time to make sure I didn't need to do something special with it but they said each time nope.
I recommend bringing bags to pump directly into. This saves any hassle with bottles. Also, I carried extra ziploc baggies to pack ice into at the airport. I just went up to a restaurant/food bar and requested that they fill my bags. Not at all awkard.
Pumping-wise in the airport, this does suck. I stood in the middle of a handicap bathroom with my pump bag hanging on the hook, holding my flanges up to my boobs and trying not to touch anything or let anything fall. Gross.
For one trip, I was with my boss who has access to the sky lounges. The one we were in had a pumping room in the women's restroom. AMAZING!
-
Ugh. Pumping in the bathroom sounds terrible. I'm going to try for a family restroom if possible. I was wondering if I would have a fight on my hands with the ice pack on my out going flight. I'll be sure to have it frozen (never would have thought of that). Thanks for the tips!
-
@Corduroy: Thank you for telling me about freezing the ice pack. Mine was frozen and the TSA agent told me it had to be frozen to get through the security check. I never would have thought to do that without your story.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
6 comments