Storage of breast milk question

erpetdoc

You'd think I'd know this already, but this is the first time when we've traveled without the benefit of knowing for sure if the hotel will have a refrigerator.  We're staying kind of in the middle of nowhere, unfortunately.  We will have a cooler with TONS of ice, but I know that's not adequate for long-term storage.

We're leaving Friday, and will return the following Thursday.  I will nurse, but since my body is used to pumping 2x daily, should I continue that?  If the answer is yes, the milk I pump on Friday will not be good til we get home.  (I usually try to freeze by 3 days if I know I have enough for the bottles I'll need when I'm working.)  So, do I pump and dump?  Or should I just not pump while I'm gone?  I'm afraid of my supply tanking while we're gone if I don't pump. 

WDYT? 

attyalice

first... i would call your hotel and confirm if they have fridges... if it is a marriott, they don't have them in the room but will bring one to your room for free... chainwide.

Also... I would pump... use what you can...and dump.  Don't stop pumping as you maynot be able to get the supply back.... a week of a new schedule can wreak havoc.  AND since you pump for bottles when you work, I wouldn't risk it.

 

Leah&Cole

If you are used to pumping and nursing, I'd still pump (and dump, as necessary).  Dumping milks sucks but supply tanks suck more.

erpetdoc

Best Western.  I know when we stayed at a Sheraton in Pittsburgh, I just had to call and ask.  Will make that phone call now... I'm sure the front desk person will love me for calling so late!

attyalice

papetvet:

Best Western.  I know when we stayed at a Sheraton in Pittsburgh, I just had to call and ask.  Will make that phone call now... I'm sure the front desk person will love me for calling so late!

ahhh, it give 'em something to do:)

erpetdoc

Just called... they said many of the rooms have refrigerators, but the one we are slated to be in does not.  She said a lot of the rooms that DO have refrigerators are rented weekly for "workers."  (Does that mean immigrant workers?  In that area of FL, I wonder.)

She said they leave on Fridays, so since we're arriving on Saturday, it shouldn't be a problem.  Here's crossing my fingers.

She said that I could use the main refrigerator for employees, but I really don't want the milk that I would feed my baby out of my supervision...kind of weird. 

Cheerio B

If your body is used to it I would keep pumping, even if that means dumping it later on.

And it won't help your for the entire trip but could you use dry ice to keep the stuff you pump later in the week cold? We were spending several days on the road and I needed to keep the milk I was pumping so we brought a cooler and bought dry ice along the way. I just called the closest grocery stores to the hotel to see if they had it. Most of grocery stores carry it, though it's often in the meat department.

erpetdoc

Cheerio B:

If your body is used to it I would keep pumping, even if that means dumping it later on.

And it won't help your for the entire trip but could you use dry ice to keep the stuff you pump later in the week cold? We were spending several days on the road and I needed to keep the milk I was pumping so we brought a cooler and bought dry ice along the way. I just called the closest grocery stores to the hotel to see if they had it. Most of grocery stores carry it, though it's often in the meat department.

Thanks!