Have Pump, Will Travel

[motownthrowdown]

Opinions/advice/experiences wanted. 

At some point in the future, DH and I will be able to go on vacation. We will be flying. I am debating about whether to bring my PISA on the plane as my carry on or whether I should buy a manual. As of right now, I'm exclusively pumping. I'm not willing to risk my supply, but I've never used a manual so I don't know how effective they are. Is the TSA going to be a pain in the ass about my pump? I'm not bringing milk there or back (no way to keep it), so it would just be the pump. 

Thoughts? 

Also, my iPad keeps trying to correct pumping to pimping. Lol. 

[abvintage]

1st of all breast pimping is hilarious but also my iPhone doesn't even recognize the word pimping so now we all know about your secret life.

I would recommend you buy a manual now and try it and keep it in your car as a just in case. That being said, your manual won't get what you need and I would bring the automatic on your trip.

[cookiedough22]

This is tricky. You basically need to pump the same to not lose your supply but then your restricted by needing to pump near an outlet, and you're dumping the milk.

I'd go manual. Then maybe you could pump in the car, on the plane, or wherever discreetly.

[amberlie]

I have found that the manual is more effective for me! I get more & faster.

[telos]

Avent's manual pump is fantastic. I get the same output as electric, it just takes a tad longer because you're going one at a time. That's what I use when I'm traveling/on the go.

[erikutep]

We are going to Europe next week to visit my family. I only pump occasionally and have a double pump at home. I just bought Medela manual to take with me on the trip. I tried it and it works OK. It will be perfect for occasional pumping (size and not dealing with different outlets) but I am not sure if it will be enough when you exclusively pump.

[motownthrowdown]

I have the battery adapter and we plan on going back to the hotel to pump. The dumping is killing me already lol. I'll make DH do it for me.

Does it go through security ok? I feel like it's going to look like a bomb.

I think I'll get a manual too. They're only like 25 bucks, it looks like. Thanks!

[erikutep]

Oct 23, 2015 17:16:11 GMT -5 telos said:

Avent's manual pump is fantastic. I get the same output as electric, it just takes a tad longer because you're going one at a time. That's what I use when I'm traveling/on the go.

I wish I have gotten Avent manual. But Medela was cheaper and available on Amazon Prime. I didn't want to chance it and not get it on time without Prime. I have Avent double electric and I like the shape and structure better than Medela.

[laurasuzanne2006]

Take electric. Manual also will take a heck of a lot longer. I used s manual when I went back home just to have extra milk, but for eping I wouldn't want to mess with a manual

[cupcakecutiern]

There are companies that will ship the milk home for you so you don't have to dump it. Also I would bring the electric. I have a Manual that I keep for emergencies but I much prefer the convenience of the electric. You are allowed to bring the milk back with you.

[hopefulreturn]

I absolutely love my manual medela harmony. I get more in 5 minutes with that than I do in double the time with the electric! (Well looking at only one side at a time) for traveling I'd think the manual would be easy to have even if you do bring the electric.

[abvintage]

Oct 23, 2015 17:43:30 GMT -5 erikutep said:

Oct 23, 2015 17:16:11 GMT -5 telos said:

Avent's manual pump is fantastic. I get the same output as electric, it just takes a tad longer because you're going one at a time. That's what I use when I'm traveling/on the go.

I wish I have gotten Avent manual. But Medela was cheaper and available on Amazon Prime. I didn't want to chance it and not get it on time without Prime. I have Avent double electric and I like the shape and structure better than Medela.

+1 I LOVE my Avent manual and electric pumps more than my Madela.

[runningmommy519]

Totally agree that Mo must have a second job.

[runningmommy519]

[motownthrowdown]

Oct 23, 2015 22:36:16 GMT -5 runningmommy519 said:

Totally agree that Mo must have a second job.

I need to invent the next "bag of dicks" is what I should do.

[seeca022]

I traveled a lot for work with DS1. I just brought my PISA and had no issues.

Can I ask why you have to dump?

If it's keeping it cold - I have asked Hotels to hold my milk in their freezer before and they had no issues in doing so. I don't know if that would be an option for you?

[motownthrowdown]

Oct 24, 2015 4:30:42 GMT -5 seeca022 said:

I traveled a lot for work with DS1. I just brought my PISA and had no issues.

Can I ask why you have to dump?

If it's keeping it cold - I have asked Hotels to hold my milk in their freezer before and they had no issues in doing so. I don't know if that would be an option for you?

There will be a long day of flying and logistically it won't stay frozen. 

[oopsiedaisies]

Few things to add here:
*A breast pump is medical equipment, so I don't think it counts against your number of carry-ons.
*ask your hotel for a fridge in your room to store your milk. This should be at no addtl cost to you, because again, it's a medical need.
*once a day, take milk to the front desk and ask them to freeze it, they'll usually have you sign a waiver of some sort.
*you can look into shipping it, but knowing your family you may not want to do this. So, I'd have a large cooler to bring your milk home in. Buy dry ice! As long as your milk still has ice crystals in it at the end of the day it can be refrozen.
Hope this helps!

[laurasuzanne2006]

I had a similar experience flying back home from Wisconsin. It remained frozen with about 6 hours freezer to freezer with just ice and ice packs

[flippinchica]

Oct 23, 2015 20:37:21 GMT -5 @poppykisses said:

I took my pisa through security and no one blinked an eye

+1

[shellyr]

I recently flew with both milk and an electric pump.
They didn't say a word about the pump and we told the TSA agent there was breast milk in the bag, so that didn't trigger investigation either.

[motownthrowdown]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I'm super excited that I might not have to dump it all. We're talking around 100 ounces here. Plus at least that amount in tears lol. Must investigate our hotel further.

[esgrunner]

Try to get your hands on a huge ice pack, like what companies use that ship food. (Like Blue Apron)
You definitely don't have to dump. I don't have experience but I have friends that have done it. Looks like there are some good tips here.

[laurasuzanne2006]

I flew with 40, not 100 but a decent amount