Any new parent who is returning to work is coping with a challenging professional and personal transition. Regardless of how well the employee has planned for their return, the reality of it is startling. But if the new parent’s return involves business travel, and that parent has chosen to nurse, it’s even more complicated. They need to quickly become an expert on the necessities and nuances of pumping on the road.
What Nursing Parents Need to Know About Pumping During Work Travel
Any new parent returning to work is coping with a challenging professional and personal transition. But if the new parent’s return involves business travel, and that parent is a mom who has chosen to breastfeed, it’s even more complicated. Interviews with women who have faced this challenge revealed some ways new moms can make this tough phase easier on themselves. Start by asking about your company’s policies — they’re often nonexistent, unclear, or not fully communicated. If your firm’s policies are insufficient, advocate for better ones. And ask around at your firm to see if there’s a grassroots information-sharing group; this is one of the most common ways new moms get information. When you’re on the road, ask airlines and hotels how they can help you find privacy and store your milk; hotel mini-bars often aren’t cold enough. While the logistics can be a nightmare — and airport security agents uninformed — there’s a lot companies can do to make this demanding phase easier on their employees.