Pumping Through the Holidays: Motif Medical and Ceres Chill Webinar Recap

I had the honor and pleasure of sitting down for an hour-long webinar with Ceres Chill Founder & CEO, Lisa Myers. I brought the IBCLC expert perspective, and Lisa brought the real-life traveling mom perspective to our conversation all about the unique challenges moms face when navigating pumping through the holiday season. I have to admit I was fan-girling just a bit! In case you missed the live webinar, we’ve got a thorough recap for you.

Think through where and when you’ll pump ahead of time. If you’re going to a holiday party or gathering, don’t be afraid to talk with the host ahead of time about your needs. Many party venues have separate rooms that could be used as a quiet place to pump. It’s not unusual to want to head home earlier than you might have before baby, so be prepared to say your goodbyes and answer any well-meaning questions about why you’re leaving early. 

If you’ll be traveling long distances this holiday season, build in time for pumping breaks along the way. Consider where and when you’ll have access to spaces that will make pumping as convenient as possible while away from home. 

While it’s important to be consistent with your schedule, it’s also important to be flexible. If travel arrangements or holiday plans mean you can’t pump on time, that’s ok! Just pump as soon as you can rather than skipping the session. Remember that removing milk is key to protecting your supply and preventing engorgement. If you can’t fit in a full 15-20 minute pumping session, do what you can. Five minutes of hand expression is far more protective of your supply and against engorgement than skipping your session altogether.

Whether you're stuck in a busy airport, on a long road trip, or sneaking in a pump session during a holiday party, hands-free, discreet pumping is the key to sticking to your pumping schedule while on the go. The Motif Breastmilk Collection Cups hold up to 5 ounces per side and can be paired with the Motif Roam, Duo, or Luna with Battery for discreet pumping anywhere. Moms love these collection cups because they include five flange sizing options right in the box, have a slim-fit design, and are compatible with many different pumps. If you’re pumping with the regular Luna, check out the car adapter to help you bring your pump with you on the road. As an IBCLC, I’ve seen lots of breastfeeding products come and go, but there are a few that stand out as true game changers. The Motif Aura Glow and the Ceres Chill breastmilk chillers fit into the game-changer category!

Imagine meticulously planning the details of pumping while traveling or during a holiday celebration only to realize one of your duckbill valve has a rip just as you’re sitting down to pump. This is why packing extra parts is a MUST! In fact, if you have multiple sets of parts, you’re set for multiple pumping sessions without needing to worry about washing bottles, flanges, and duckbills in between. Want to save space? Use the Pump-to-Bag Adapters to pump directly into your breastmilk storage bags. You can even pump directly into your Ceres Chill OG+ Chiller using the Wide-to-Narrow Neck Bottle Connectors. One of the top tips I give my patients is to check into insurance coverage for replacement pump parts and milk storage bags. You can use Motif’s Insurance Lookup Tool to find a supplier who works with your insurance.

We got some fantastic questions during the live webinar. If you missed it, we’ve got a short recap for you below.

• Q: What are the recommendations for cleaning pump parts?
• A: The first step is to make sure your hands, any surfaces you are using for pumping, and your pump parts are clean before pumping. This helps prevent contamination of your breastmilk during the pumping process. One webinar attendee shared that she brings sanitizing wipes along so she can clean surfaces she uses for pumping while traveling
  
  After pumping, the CDC recommends washing all parts that come in contact with milk (bottles, flanges, duckbill valves, diaphragms) in hot soapy water. No one wants to wash parts in an airport bathroom sink, so the Ceres Chill Washbasin Bag is a fantastic solution!
  
  Bringing along extra sets of parts is another way to avoid washing in a dirty airport bathroom.
  
  Don’t forget to sterilize your parts for extra protection once you get to your destination. Motif’s Micro-Steam Sterilizer Bags are a convenient way to ensure everything is properly sanitized whether you’re on-the-go or at home.

• Q: What are some tips to help ease anxiety while going through TSA checkpoints?
• A: Keep these tips in mind:
  • Allow extra time so you’re not stressed and rushed while going through security. It can take a bit longer when traveling with breastmilk and pumping equipment.
  • Breast pumps and pumping accessories don’t count toward baggage limits when traveling within the U.S. because they are classified as medical equipment.
  • Know your rights. Familiarize yourself with TSA’s policies regarding traveling with breastmilk and pumping equipment. It can be helpful to pull them up on your phone or carry a printed copy with you. It’s ok to remind the TSA agent to change their gloves before handling your breastmilk, and they should never dip anything into your milk. They may, however, open your milk and hold a test strip above the bottle or wipe down the outside of the bottle to check for explosive residue. While the x-ray machines used for TSA screenings pose no risk to breastmilk, you can opt out of passing your milk through the x-ray screener. This may result in additional steps to be cleared by security.
  • You can fly with volumes of breastmilk that exceed 3.4 ounces. Because breastmilk is a medically necessary liquid, it is not subject to the same rules as other liquids.
  • Ceres Chill breastmilk chillers are incredibly TSA friendly because you can dump out any ice just before going through the checkpoint, then refill at the foodcourt once you’re through security. 

Having the right equipment is key for making pumping as convenient as possible. Motif’s award winning pump lineup has something to offer no matter what your pumping needs are. Did you know you can get a breast pump through insurance? Motif’s handy Insurance Lookup Tool helps you connect with a supplier who works with your insurance so you can get the pump you need.

Ceres Chill’s flagship product, the OG+ Breastmilk Chiller, is designed to replace the 1950's coolers that have been holding breastfeeding parents back for decades. Simply put, it is an under-the-radar, sustainable, dual chamber insulated bottle that connects directly to breast pumps and can safely store breast milk for over 20+ hours. It doubles as a baby bottle warmer and then converts to provide parents years of use as a regular thermos for the best coffee, coldest water, or an entire bottle of wine without dilution. There’s truly nothing like it in the breastfeeding industry.

Information provided in blogs should not be used as a substitute for medical care or consultation.