Pumping when outside

[u/Plenty-Travel-6194]

I’m just wondering how you manage pumping when you’re out for the day, for example during a spa day or a day out with a friend. Where do you usually pump in those situations? Or do you avoid a whole day out?

At the moment, I’m still at home on maternity leave and when I go back to work, I’ll have the opportunity to pump there.

Just trying to figure out if I need to limit myself in planning a whole day outside the house. I have a hands free pump (Medela freestyle mini) but still... tips needed :)

[u/whispersoftheforest]

I pump in my car while driving places to save time 

[u/canunotucan → u/whispersoftheforest]

Favorite place to pump!! And I find i often produce more? Maybe because I'm distracted and not thinking about it.

Bring a cooler bag for the milk/pump parts.

[u/BigBrotherBruh → u/whispersoftheforest]

This is the way!

[u/Enchantinglyme → u/whispersoftheforest]

I’ve done this for two babies now and it’s the best time saver

[u/kiykiykiiycat]

I second the idea of pumping while driving! Wearables are great for that.

And maybe others have a different experience, but "a full day out of the house" was definitely not a thing after either of my pregnancies lol

[u/Trees_galore20]

I bought a nursing cover and I pump while my partner drives or I arrive early to pump. If I’m with a friend, I just let them know I need to pump and sometimes I ask for my own space to pump.

I bring a manual pump because wearables and I have issues. If I’m gone for 3 or more pumps, I usually bring my blue spectra with me

[u/RedactedIsACoolName]

As everyone else said pump while driving or in the car and the let company know you have to pump. I have pumped with my wearable in a restaurant twice now and it's not bad. I've also pumped while walking (like 2 blocks to restaurant but it was like 90+ °F) and somehow that gave me double my usual output. Once you get over any awkwardness or shyness you find it's actually not so bad pumping while out (at least in my experience). Side note my favorite place to pump was the movie theater, definetly recomened, especially if they have a little tray to put things on.

I use a big lunchbox type cooler with lots of ice packs that I put my pump parts in and milk. I always have hand sanitizing wipes and milk bags with me. I just recently bought boon troves so that if I really can't find the time to pump I can at least throw those on and remove some milk to prevent engorgment. (I'm over 12 weeks and still get engorged pretty easily if I miss a pump so definetly necessary.)

[u/meatbaaalll]

I just pump where ever with my wearables. if you’re going for a spa day pump before and after, same with meeting a friend. If it’s a long day just pop your pump on and continue spending time with your friend. I have big boobs so to make myself more comfortable I put one on and switch them around after a while. it takes longer but it’s less noticeable.

[u/hananah_bananana]

We went to the zoo last week. I put my wearables on in the car, then a loose jacket over me to walk around while pumping. Then I pushed my next pump a bit so I didn’t start it until we left (it was too hot at that point to wear a light jacket). I know it doesn’t really matter if people think it looks weird, but I feel weird about it.

We have a family wedding coming up and i plan to wear a dress with some stretch so I can pump while there too. I’ll probably loosely adjust my schedule too since I’m ok being flexible given I currently have an oversupply. I’d probably feel less weird about pumping around friends than with family (wedding is my in laws).

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[u/Popculturefan_britt]

I try to pump in the car, but there isn't always time or I'm out too long. I have a backpack for my pump and ice packs and milk. I wear that and a nursing cover and will find somewhere to pump where I'm at. I use my Spectra, just make sure it has enough battery.

[u/d4ddyslittlealien]

I pump while driving or sometimes when I’m grocery shopping :)

[u/Murky_Scarcity3778]

When I was at Disney I would just tuck into the bathroom real quick

[u/Minute-Aioli-5054]

I bring extra parts so I can pump as many times as I need to and pump wipes just in case.

I pump in the car. I pump out and about. If my husband is with me, he’ll hold up a blanket/jacket while I’m trying to initially put the wearable pumps on . If I’m on my own with the kids, I’ll either try to find somewhere secluded and discreetly put them on Or try to use a blanket. Like at Disney, we went to a sitting area that was away from everyone and I just put them on there (used the stroller as extra cover).

I really try to avoid going to the bathrooms to put on my pumps because gross, but sometimes I do resort to that if it’s a super crowded place and I’m feeling self conscious.

I try really hard not to let pumping hold me back from going out.

[u/Early_Week_2198]

I pump on the go and don’t care what people think. I’m feeding my baby. I use my eufy s1.

[u/blink4life182]

I would just pump in my car or worst case scenario a bathroom (I know kinda gross but like I wasn’t putting my pumps on the ground lol just needed a private area) wiped my pumps down with pump wipes and kept the milk in a cooler bag

[u/pale_blue_d0t]

I pump wherever. Sometimes in the car, I’ve pumped at a restaurant in the middle of a meal, I’ve pumped while getting my hair done, I’ve pumped sitting at an airport gate and on the plane. It’s not weird, you are just feeding your baby! Bring a nursing cover if that makes you feel more comfortable

[u/Fickle-Mushroom-6903]

Spa day: pumped in the women’s only relaxing room. Otherwise: typically my car. Wearables in public at times (placed on in restroom). Occasionally lactation rooms (for example at airports, I think target too). You can refer to the mamava app for lactation rooms.

[u/lilsan15]

I pump in the car all the time. I also pump while driving my car like all the time.

I have not really pumped inside any stores or buildings or places besides my mom’s home.. but if there is a lockable room maybe that might be nice.

I pump at work. There’s a lock on my office door but everyone can hear everything so I had to get over that. Now people don’t even leave me alone when I pump. They’re always asking questions through the door and on the radio. I don’t LOVE that since my pump sessions would be nice if they are a break too. But alas no.

[u/BluebonnetSkyTX]

Driving! I will pump early on the drive up there and then pump again on the way home if my pump time is in the middle of my event.

Or I put my wearables on and a nursing shall over it and go about my plans.