Crazy Places to Pump Milk

I was lucky enough that I didn't have to pump often as I was home with my girls, but there have been the silly places while being out. The car, the dressing room at Walmart and my favorite was the dark room at the clinic I worked at.

I've pumped while my husband drives, and also on airplanes. I've never driven and pumped at the same time, though.

Sounds like you work in a school. I used to be a teacher, too so I know how difficult it is to pump there. What if you left early and pumped in the parking lot when you got to school? This might be a little bit safer/less messy. I would be worried about getting milk all over myself if I had to stop suddenly or something.

Good luck!

L.

MN law states that your employer must provide you with a clean, private place to pump, so please talk to your employer about finding you a place to do this. Please do not drive while attempting to do other things, even if it so called hands free. Your still distracted! You would feel awful if you caused an accident and then were charged with wreckless driving, wouldn't you? Don't risk other peoples lives - please!

Last summer, I tutored kids in their homes and only had a few minutes drive time between each house, soooooo I pumped while I drove. It does take some getting used to!

I NEVER did it with the baby in the car and always stopped to set-up, change breasts, and then put everything away. I would then drive a little slouched over to keep anyone from seeing and potentially wrecking THEIR car. I wouldn't have been able to breastfeed as long as I did if I couldn't pump and drive.

Keep clorox wipes in the car for the occasional spill and disinfectant cleaner for your hands.

:)

My thought is, is it really worth the 15 minutes you will save? I dont know how hands free it would be also. I see it as a distraction. What kind of roads are you driving on? Are they easy to pull over on?

I've heard of the driving while pumping using the bras for that. My milk always seemed to spill out and the bras were never big enough for me. The only place I did it was in the rear seat of the truck once. Otherwise it's always been in a private use bathroom or at home.

I can say that I pumped in some crazy places. Try a lunch room with huge windows while people were heating up there lunches and eating. I did it all under my shirt and most people did not even know about it. I will add that I was working a temp job while I was waiting for school to start. I did not have any other options as it was a warehouse and the bathrooms were nasty. It was winter, I not going to relax in my freezing car to do it. Well, anyways....

I had several people tell me to pump in the car while I commuted to school 2 plus hour drive at times. I never did it. I think driving that drive was stressful enough that I did not want to add to it. My luck I would have arrived at school with milk all over me!! LOL

Do what works for you, try it and see if you can relax, will you milk letdown for you while driving and can you be a safe driver, not only for you and your family but for others on the road as well.

Good luck with you decision.

I don't think it is such a good idea to do this while driving...firstly your supposed to be relaxed, what if your at a red light and catch someone staring at you...plus not only are you risking yourself on the road, you are risking other people. i think this would be asking for trouble

workplaces are required by law to give you a comfortable area to pump, it cannot be ina closet or in a bathroom...

I've done that. I actually really disliked pumping for one reason time consuming so I was thinking and trying all sorts of crazy ideas like that.

I've heard of other people doing this but I've never done it myself while driving. I've pumped in the car with my husband driving before. Also if you're planning to do this I would maybe practice around your neighborhood so that you know it will work and you can easily pull over. Good luck.
Oh the craziest place I've ever pumped was in the parking lot in my car at the Renaissance Festival.

I know you said you would be hands free but it is still another distraction like talking on a hands free cell phone. Me personally I would not do it, to self conscious that something would happen to bare all or spill the milk all over the car.

Try it around your neighborhood first before hitting busy streets. I know it would save time but might not be the safest thing, it also depends on what kind of streets you take to work (busy highways which you should not pull over on the side unless an emergency, quite side streets, or busy city streets with little to no room to pull over and stop).

i've pumped in the car while driving! it didn't bother me one bit, and it wasn't any more distracting than driving while i talk on my cell phone. :)

i've pumped in a storage closet, in the car, in an office used as storage... nowhere too crazy, but the car was pure genius. i was running late to a doctor's appointment & *had* to pump. i just pulled my winter coat around me & went for it - no shawl or anything. i didn't really care if anyone saw though - i needed relief! no one really paid any attention that i noticed though.

good luck, and you're not crazy! :)
J.

I haven't pumped while driving, but I have friends that do. (They commute, I don't) I just had to share my list of crazy places: a bathroom stall at the Metrodome during a Vikings game, back seat of a truck on Red Lake while ice fishing, a mall parking lot because I was at a work training and couldn't find a room in the training center, and in the truck outside a small town bar because my husband insisted we go out for a few hours and my friend and I also pumped in a room full of our girlfriends during a get together.

Have a great day!

I don't know if I could do it, as something could come loose and milk spill, you just never know. Plus it is a distraction on the road. I just don't think it is worth it.

Some crazy places I have pumped, the bathroom at a grocery store, the bathroom at a golf course and a utility closet at work (my conference room I normally used was occupied.)

I just had a funny thought come to mind while ready your question.... DONT GET PULLED OVER!!! Although you may get out of a ticket because they would feel so uncomfortable! You know much like when someone walks in on you nursing/pumping!

Good luck I hope you find a solution that works for you.

I've pumped while my husband drives. he thinks I'm crazy for it. I've only done this with my first son - he took breastmilk from a bottle - so I needed the relief and he needed a bottle. We were going on different occasions to see family - so it was a 3 1/2 hour car ride.

We've gotten a lot of good laughs about it. I can't imagine doing it while driving myself though.

My cousin does this too. It saves so much time. Now she can play with her son when she gets home vs. pumping for 20 minutes=) She does it on her way home, 20 minute during rush hour. Good luck. I think it's a great idea, we do everything else in the car. Why not.

I have actually pumped while I was on the road. There were times when I was busy with work and had to travel. While on the highway, I just covered up and pumped while I was driving. By the time, I got to where I needed to go, I was done. It worked out great. Just had to be discreet in prepping and finishing to be sure others didn't see. If it works for you, go for it!

I've pumped in the car while my husband drove numerous times with just a hand pump. Nothing crazy though. I'd say go for it, pumping while driving. You'll be covered so there will be no distractions to other drivers. Good luck!

I breast feed twins for a year. I pumped on my commute while driving all the time. : ) I didn't have a special "bustier". I pumped one side at a time. I did occasionally stop at SA to fill my little Medela cooler with ice for free if I was in my car a lot for work or at off site events. I had a car charger adaptor thing, so did not use the battery pack for in the car. Not sure how many people I flashed, and can't really say I care, since I will never see them again. I also use to pump as a passenger with my husband. He use to get so freaked out I was flashing the world.

I did NOT pump and drive and TALK on the cell phone. I drew the line at that! : )