It was already a hectic morning. I was racing around the house with my toddler son and infant in my arms while frantically trying to pack my suitcase. I had packed my breast pump, nursing shawl, pump accessories, a few business suits, pajamas, as well as a pair of shoes, and my suitcase was overflowing! I was only planning to be gone for a few days, but there is much to take when you’re a nursing mother traveling for business. I grabbed my laptop bag, my purse, a small hot/cold bag as well as my suitcase, and I was finally out the door. Struggling to get through my garage, I felt like a bag lady and thought, “this is going to be tough.”
When I arrived at the airport, I realized just how tough it was. I had a dreadfully difficult time getting from the parking structure to the airport terminal attempting to simultaneously pull, drag, and heave my suitcase and other bags. Once I checked my bag (which I generally prefer not to do), I had one less thing to carry which provided momentary relief.
I made my way through security, and recognized much to my chagrin that I still had three cumbersome bags in my hand! I took turns shifting and dropping the bags, as I tried to disentangle my belt, untie my shoes and clumsily reach for other items that must be placed in the security bins. Once I made it through the security screening, I was pulled aside for more screening because the ice pack had caught their attention. As a nursing mother, there simply is nothing worse than dumping your nutrient-rich breast milk down the drain because you’re away from your infant. So, it was well worth the delay.
When I arrived at my destination, my breasts were full and more than ready to be pumped. I jumped in my rental car and pulled out my pump’s car charger, nursing shawl, breast milk bags, and wet wipes. For once, I felt prepared. I began pumping while sitting in my rental car reviewing my driving directions. Then I cleaned the pump accessories and placed my full breast milk bags in my hot/cold bag with the ice pack sandwiched nicely in between.
I had scheduled a lengthy client meeting that included lunch which meant that I needed to excuse myself for a few minutes to pump during the meeting. Consequently, I needed to take my hot/cold bag and pump with me. As I didn’t want to walk into my client’s office adorning three unruly bags, I quickly yanked a pad of paper and pen out of my laptop bag and left it behind. My pump bag could pass for a large, potentially out-of-date, and unattractive laptop bag.
And then the fun really began…
During the meeting, I excused myself to the ladies room and began pumping. It was only then that I discovered that my hot/cold bag was too small to carry multiple breast milk bags. I had to cram the bags in and force the zipper. In the process, I accidentally spilled some of the milk on my suit. Fortunately, it was a dark suit and I was able to mask it, but it was thorny at best. Slightly disheveled, but firm in my resolve, I returned to the client meeting.
Later on during my drive to my hotel, I had to pull the car over and begin the pumping process again. This is the life of a nursing mother; frequent pumping throughout the day when you are away from your infant to ensure that your milk production stays intact. Regrettably, I had to dump my breast milk because I couldn’t fit another breast milk bag in my small and now sufficiently overflowing hot/cold bag. This was the true tipping point.
I was frustrated by the demands of my job. The regular travel was a requirement, and I simply had to figure out a better way or cease breastfeeding all together. My daughter was only 2 months old, and I wasn’t willing to abandon providing her with the best nutrient-rich food available. So I did what all mothers do when presented with a challenge, I found a solution. I created the Devyn Bag http://www.thedevynbag.com/ with the specific goal of aiding nursing mothers.
I applaud you for making every effort to be uncompromising in your career outside the home as well as your career as a mother. I hope you enjoy it!
Embrace Your MOMentum!
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