Oh boy. Nobody warned me that motherhood would lead to hand-expressing milk in a cramped airplane restroom. At 32,000 feet, there I was, awkwardly contorted with one breast in hand, pondering how I ended up in this situation.
On my first baby-free flight in 18 months and my first work trip in over two years, I was on my way to New York City from London to interview a high-profile athlete. I was thrilled. Everything was planned; I anticipated the bliss of hours of uninterrupted time above the clouds, with no distractions other than a stack of magazines.
Things Didn’t Go as Planned
However, things didn’t go as I imagined.
On the morning of my departure, my plan was straightforward. I intended to dream-feed my little one before heading out, so she wouldn’t miss me too much while I was gone. But when I peeked into her room, she was sleeping so peacefully that my mom-guilt kicked in hard. I couldn’t bear to wake her, fearing she wouldn’t settle back down, leaving my husband with a chaotic situation. Feeling guilty about leaving for 72 hours (which may seem excessive, but it’s a real mom thing), I decided to skip the feeding and figured I could manage with a little pumping instead.
The rest of my travel went smoothly, even with the added anxiety of pandemic travel. I breezed through security, indulged in a vegan breakfast, and felt like I was finally getting the hang of flying solo again. After upgrading to premium seating, I settled in with a glass of bubbly, relishing the thought of eight hours of “me” time.
The Reality Sets In
But by the fifth hour, it became painfully clear that I had missed my morning pumping session. My breasts felt like they were about to burst, engorged to the point of discomfort. With my 18-month-old nursing multiple times a day, my milk supply seemed to have reached its peak.
Although I had planned to do some discreet pumping using my portable silicone breast pump, anxiety got the best of me, and it wasn’t working as expected. After several frustrating attempts, I resorted to hand-expressing into the tiny bathroom sink. It turned into a chaotic scene, with my reflection in the mirror making me realize just how messy motherhood can be.
Finding Connection
Upon arriving at the conference, I met another mom who had spent her morning pumping into a hotel toilet bowl while scrolling through photos of her child. We shared a laugh and a sigh, both of us accustomed to navigating the challenges of motherhood with grace, even in the most awkward of situations.
It’s a shame that our society often overlooks the needs of new mothers post-pregnancy. If only airlines were designed with mothers in mind, featuring comfortable nursing areas and dedicated pumping stations.
As I squeezed into another airplane restroom on my return flight, I couldn’t help but wonder why we still endure such discomfort when it comes to motherhood.
Further Reading
For more insights on motherhood and the challenges we face, check out this post about Serena Williams. If you’re looking for expert advice, Intracervical Insemination offers valuable resources. Additionally, for further support on female infertility, visit this excellent resource on pregnancy.
In Summary
This experience serves as a reminder of the unexpected turns motherhood can take, especially when it comes to balancing personal needs and responsibilities. Whether hand-expressing milk in an airplane bathroom or navigating the complexities of travel, it reinforces the importance of empathy and understanding for all mothers.