Traveling for Work, Managing New Mother Duties (i.e. Breastfeeding), and Luxuries for the Modern Businesswoman  

I recently had to make a business trip to moderate a panel at a professional conference called “Luxury Confronts Digital,” I was in my third trimester when I heard back that the panel I wanted to moderate had been accepted. I was thrilled, but once the excitement subsided, I realized I’d have to make the decision every working mom straddles – to take the baby or not?

Taking a 3.5 month old boy on a business trip and to a professional conference would involve the travel trifecta of what to bring (stroller, car seats, carriers), when to nurse (I’d have to find a way to meet my son to nurse him multiple times a day, and where to go (there’s only so many hours a baby can spend in a park).  After careful consideration, I decided to leave my son behind with my loving mom and husband in Brooklyn, and attended the conference on my own.

Luxury & The Modern Mom

Interestingly, these circumstances intersected with some of the topics addressed during my panel: in fact, the first question we addressed – regarding luxury and the digital space – was: “How would you define luxury today?” I define luxury as privacy, flexibility, and personal service. So as far as the situation with my son, luxury to me was manifested by all of the following scenarios:

• Luxury to me was calling United Club for passes so I could have a private shower room or conference room to pump at the airport.
• It meant having the ability as a moderator to secure hotel rooms within walking distance to the convention center so I could constantly go back to my room to pump.
• Months before leaving I found out the details for the pumping room at the convention center – and TSA regulations for breastmilk (you’re allowed to bring as much as you need by law).
• I even used an app, Moms Pump Here app, to locate pumping areas via GPS.

While my panelists researched the latest luxury trends to bring up in their speeches, I researched travel pumps, sterilizing bags, and storage rules.  I brought wet bags and insulated bags, ice packs that the hotel staff kept in their freezer, and various sizes of Ziploc for interim storage, often dispensed at 4 a.m.  (I became so focused on the dozen bags of breastmilk I was bringing back, that I accidentally left my suitcase in the lobby!) Regardless of the challenges I faced, I truly felt the privilege of being a professional while still being a mom.

Being Supported in Life Choices Through the Power of Digital

Our panel spoke about how luxury brands have hesitated to enter social media and e-commerce due to their exclusive status and the tendency to protect their brand heritage.  Our panelists hoped to dispel those myths, and advised on the inevitability and importance of entering the digital space.  We spoke about how it’s possible to be niche and still relevant, to be exclusive and still connected.

And I really experienced this with my own situation.  I realized that with the advent of the internet, mobile apps, and group texts that personal, specialized information on everything from TSA rules to emails from a colleague about her preferred pumps was at my fingertips.  That to me is the democratization of luxury – being empowered to have choices and privacy.

There’s a lot of work that goes behind being a working mom that has nothing to do with my job itself.  Scheduling around pumping and carrying coolers can be chaotic, but I’m grateful I have the option.  I know that in my mom’s generation, pumping rooms didn’t exist, and women in the past had to make harder decisions about dedicating themselves to their careers or their families. Today because of the advent of digital, we have the luxury of accessing information that enables us – again — the luxury of being able to do both.

Tips for New Moms (Who are Breastfeeding) Traveling on Business:

• Before you make any decisions, be realistic about how long you can be away from your child AND how much you will be able to do with your child on the trip if you are bringing them along.
• Start planning child care and child needs as soon as you begin planning your presentation — at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance.  Leave your child with more than one person if possible so your partner has back-up and you’ll have peace of mind.
• Have back-ups of all your pumping and/or other supplies.
• Pack lightly so you have enough room in your carry-on for the gold milk!
• Wear smart but easy clothes — dresses are harder for pumping moms. You can look classy and worry less in a nice blouse and pants.
• Stay as close as possible to your presentation location – you’ll be extra tired on your feet and pumping all day.
• When making a reservation, be sure to ask for a fridge in your room.

Written by: Ambika Samarthya-Howard, Group Account Director for Havas Luxe – SXSW Presentation: Luxury Confronts Digital