Every breastfeeding mom can attest to one universal truth: pumping is rarely a pleasant experience. This is especially true when you find yourself in public spaces, where convenience is often a distant dream. Recently, a mother named Lisa, known for her candid parenting posts on Instagram, shared her frustrating encounter while trying to pump on a flight.
During a trip on a major airline, Lisa found herself needing to relieve her engorged breasts and headed to the airplane’s bathroom with her pumping supplies. To her dismay, she discovered that there were no electrical outlets available—a stark contrast to what she had experienced on previous flights. “Moms travel on your planes,” she expressed. “We need to pump, especially on longer flights. It’s disappointing to find no outlets in the bathrooms.”
Flight attendants attempted to assist her, searching for an outlet that could accommodate her pump, but unfortunately, none were available. So, what did Lisa do? She resorted to hand-expressing her breast milk in the cramped confines of the restroom—an option not all breastfeeding mothers know how to execute, and definitely more time-consuming than using a pump. In her post, she acknowledged the helpful flight attendants, except for one who suggested she should have brought a different plug or a travel pump instead. “Don’t lecture me on what I should have brought,” she replied. “User experiences matter when evaluating if companies provide the service they promise.”
Having breastfed for more than a year, I understand that purchasing a travel pump isn’t always feasible or practical. Whether you’re on a flight or simply making a quick stop at the store, nursing mothers can’t always control their body’s schedule. Moreover, the added pressure of needing to pump in a non-accommodating public space can amplify stress.
Many nursing mothers rely solely on pumping, and they shouldn’t face additional obstacles or financial burdens for something that’s already challenging. Lisa remarked, “I can only imagine how many moms have endured discomfort because they were too anxious to ask for help or felt ashamed for not having a portable pump.” She noted that while she was able to get her pump through insurance, not every mother has that option. “This stuff is expensive,” she added.
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Summary
Pumping in public can be a daunting challenge for nursing mothers, as illustrated by Lisa’s frustrating experience on a flight. With inadequate facilities and the pressure to express milk discreetly, many moms face unnecessary hurdles. It’s crucial for public spaces to become more accommodating to meet the needs of breastfeeding mothers.