Breastfeeding and Traveling Without Your Baby? Here’s How to Maintain Your Supply!
Three summers ago I traveled to Jamaica for a girl’s trip to have some much-needed fun! This was my first vacation as a new mom and truth be told I had so much anxiety (I later discovered was PPA) about leaving my son Adam who was 9 months old at the time. After almost canceling the trip because I was so anxious, my husband recognized I needed a break and encouraged me to continue with my plans.
As an exclusive breastfeeding mom, I prepared weeks in advance to have enough milk for my son before my trip. Despite eating solids, my son was pretty greedy so I made sure he had around 28-32 oz for each of the four days I would be gone. I stocked up on pumped milk bags in my freezer and prepped my husband on every single detail to make sure he was ready (He was!). I also purchased my first can of formula which was a Kabrita goat milk toddler formula just in case my son Adam needed extra milk (which he did!).
Off I went! My first hurdle was getting through the Atlanta airport with my pumping supplies. To maintain my breastfeeding supply I brought my prescribed electric breast pump, batteries for my pump (to pump hands free on the go or just in case I didn’t have access to electricity - you never know!), the Medela Harmony Breast Pump (my personal favorite pump - I hated electric pumps and pumped less milk compared to this trusty ol’ pump!), tons of breast pads because I was a leaker lol, Earth Mama organic nipple balm, Medela 8 oz Bottles with caps, 6 oz breast milk bags, and Black ice cold packs. I strategically packed my manual breast pump, bottles with caps, and ice packs (already frozen) within my insulated cooler tote bag. In my bookbag, I carried my electric pump plus batteries. Traditionally, you’re not allowed to bring batteries on planes however since I needed them for my pumping materials I received special accommodations as a breastfeeding mother. I did extensive research to prepare myself for flying with breastmilk/pumping materials - this blog was super helpful. While going through TSA, I was pulled aside to have my items checked due to the batteries and ice packs. I easily explained that I needed my items for pumping breastmilk while on a trip and the ice packs were for my return plus to keep my pumped milk during my travel to my accommodations in Jamaica cold. The TSA Supervisor (I wish I remembered his name!) was so sweet, let me go quickly, and even helped me pack my things! I moved through TSA and while waiting in Tampa for my connecting flight to Jamaica I pumped a few ounces of milk in to stop my boobs from being engorged and painful. I was never a mom who shied away from breastfeeding in public but for instance of pumping, I was nervous and decided to pump in the bathroom.
My first 8 oz of milk pumped in Jamaica! From one session upon my arrival to my villa.
While in Jamaica, I made it my goal to pump at least three-four times a day! Most times during pumping I would get around 8oz of milk per breast! At first, it was a little awkward being the friend that was pumping but after a day I did not care! I pumped everywhere. Literally on our shuttle bus (hand expressed), at a restaurant, openly in the villa living room, poolside, etc. One thing I did make sure to do while pumping on the go was to have hand sanitizer and Medela breast pump cleaning wipes! I wanted to make sure that my hands were clean while touching the pump parts and that the pump + bottles were clean!
Each night, I would take the bottles I made throughout and transfer them into small freezer packs of milk no bigger than 2-3 oz and lay them flat in our villa freezer. At first, I had plans to donate my milk to an orphanage but the one I found was too far away so I decided to bring back as much as I could! I brought back 147 oz of milk to the United States.
Getting back to the United States with breastmilk was easy in Jamaica. The airport staff were very accommodating and didn’t require me to move my items around for inspection once I opened my freezer tote filled with breastmilk. Since I took a Southwest connecting flight (NEVER again - One-way Delta flights only ever since this trip!!), I had to go through airport security again after going through Tampa’s customs. This time I was met with resistance from TSA as I attempted to explain that I was bringing back breastmilk hence my bags and equipment. One of the TSA officers attempted to open my milk and test the liquid and I advocated for myself by declining the inspection (which is not required by law!). After the agent visually inspected my milk packs and pumping equipment, I was allowed to get through TSA with my frozen breastmilk. Thanks to my frozen ice packs plus some additional ice purchased during my layover in Tampa, all of my milk stayed frozen throughout my travels!
Truth be told, I’m amazed at my determination and dedication to my son Adam. Breastfeeding was the most consistent and selfless thing I’ve ever done in my life. I’m so grateful for my experience and that I was able to resume my breastfeeding journey for over a year after this babyless trip!
Here’s each product I utilized to maintain my breastfeeding supply while on vacation:
*Affiliate links are attached throughout this blog post*
