You’ve finally gotten the hang of pumping at home. Then, BOOM. Just as it starts feeling like second nature to you, you return to work or start going on long days out as a family. Now, you’ve got to figure out how to express milk and keep it safe while away from your perfect breast pump setup with the nice chair and convenience.
That’s how I felt when we were still unsure about the feasibility of me being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM). My full-time job wasn’t an office job or anywhere close to a job that had a designated space for me to pump. I worked on the road ALL day, so I had my car as my “designated” space. This posed all kinds of new obstacles to overcome- like keeping the milk cold for 8 hours, learning to use a new wearable pump, etc. I tried to research as much as possible, hoping to find other moms who had done it and blogged about it. There’s not a substantial amount of information out there for on the road employees. So, I’m here to share what I learned and do! Even though I’m not working full time, I’ve still had MANY occasions where I’ve needed to pump on the go.
Let’s talk wearable pumps. When I started trying to navigate what I was going to do while away from baby, wearable pumps were the most recommended idea. Seemed like a no brainer. I had a friend who used the Elvie Stride during college. She would take her lunch break in a quiet space while eating her food and letting the wearable do its thing. Multi-tasking at its finest! So, my “perfect plan” was to use my Spectra S2 at home and the Elvie Stride in the car. I tried the wearable pump for 3 different sessions. My seemingly oversupply was lucky to get me about 2 ounces with the Elvie, it took three times as long to get any production, and it was very uncomfortable. Not to mention tricky positioning in my bra without spilling milk all over myself. Sorry to the creators of wearable pumps, you do not have my support.
Back to square one. Somewhere, maybe Reddit, I found an individual who had mentioned THIS car adapter for the spectra S2 pump. I still use my spectra daily and love the comfort and convenience of it. Perfect idea! If your vehicle doesn’t have the standard wall outlets in it, buy THIS and you’ll be set. Now let me walk you through some of my other essentials for pumping on the go and why I love them!
- Nursing cover
The world is crazy. Can we all agree on that? Keeping myself extra covered even in my vehicle with the tinted windows is very important to me. I keep THIS nursing cover in Oakleys diaper bag. But, in my “pump on the go” bag, I needed a separate one so I’d never be without. THIS has been the best one for me. And its attached pocket makes it small and convenient to store.
- Towel/burp cloth, etc
I don’t know how some moms out there are pumping with their Spectra’s sitting by the sink, flanges positioned in the bra, and doing the dishes simultaneously. You ladies are WILD! I tend to be a bit messier with pumping and transferring. Therefore, I use THESE hand towels to protect my bra and clothes from getting any milk on them during a session.
- Cooler
The CDC and https://llli.org/ have tons of information on the safe and proper way to store, transfer, and reheat pumped breast milk. I definitely recommend doing plenty of research and reading on their site prior to starting your journey. This cooler has been perfect for keeping that liquid gold safe and cold until getting back home to refrigerate. I just fill it up with some ice and frozen water bottles before leaving the house. Yes, it is large and bulky, but once it’s in your vehicle, you can fill it up with enough ice and maybe even your lunch but still be able to fit plenty of milk. It stays cold all day in the blazing sun. A nice bonus is it doesn’t cost an arm and leg like some of your name brand coolers.
- Travel lids
I really don’t know how anyone using bottles or pumping breastmilk doesn’t have THESE. These lids fit our Phillips Avent bottles perfectly. And, they are the perfect way to tightly seal bottles for storing in coolers, heating up milk for baby consumption, or for keeping refrigerated until reaching the date to freeze.
Wait, what about the rules with cleaning pump parts after each use and sanitizing?! How do you do that while in the car for multiple pump sessions with no place or time to stop and wash everything? That was another obstacle I had to figure out, which brings me to item number 5!
- Gallon size Ziploc Bags
Freezer bags are the perfect way to hold and keep pump parts chilled inside the cooler (without being crushed) for reuse throughout the day since washing the parts after each use really isn’t an option while in the car. As long as you keep them chilled, they are safe for use again and again until home to sanitize that night!
If you find yourself out of the house, pumping on the go, and still getting things done, grab yourself a nice latte! Coffee makes any motherhood challenge easier!
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