Advice needed

kmw326

In a couple of weeks, I have to attend a 3 day conference with a few colleagues and some of my administrators. I haven't returned to work, so I haven't been away from DD for an extended period of time yet. While I am at the conference I will most likely need to pump at least once, but I don't know how or where I will do this. The conference is in a convention center so I will probably have to pump in a public restroom. I feel a little anxious about it for several reasons: I'm afraid my pump will be too loud, I'm afraid that I will be away from the conference too long while I pump, I don't know where to pump, I don't know if I should use a manual or electric, and the list goes on and on... Has anyone else been in a situation like this? Any thoughts????

shotzie

Is the conference nearby, so you'll be able to nurse DD most of the time...?  I'm kind of confused cause you said you'll only need to pump once during the whole conference...

Anyway, I would definitely use a double electric pump (assuming you have one) because it is the quickest and most efficient.  Make sure you also have a cooler bag and cold packs to keep the milk cold until you get home.  You might call the convention center and ask if there might be an unused room you could use to pump in so you don't have to do it in the bathroom.  If there is a room you can use, I'd bring along a sign that says "Occupied, Do Not Enter" or something like that, in the event you aren't able to lock the door.  You could also bring a nursing cover or blanket to drape over you, just for extra privacy if you're worried someone might walk in. 

katlizabeth

I've gone to several conferences and had to pump.  I've had to do it in the bathroom-sometimes I was lucky enough to find a single/private type bathroom, but I've also done it in a stall, where I had to use my battery pack.  Maybe when you register or check in, you could ask those people if there is an area you could nurse-maybe there's a nursing mother's room, or some other room that you could use.  Don't worry about being away from the conference for too long-it won't take that long, you could possibly do it during a break or lunch, or if you need to do it during,  you need to.  No biggie.  Try to relax about it.  I don't know anything about using a manual pump, because I don't have one, so I can't help you there.  Try to relax if you can...if it's a large conference with many women at it, there will probably be other pumping mothers!  (I've run into that before!)

MBandBud

I have pumped in more restrooms than I can count.  At first I was anxious about it but as time went on I felt proud to be a bf momma and really had no problem doing it (my latest was Vegas airport restroom).  I created a pumping bag for myself and it worked fine; do you have a pumping bra?  That is the way to go.  I recommend simple wishes handsfree.  I would definitely do electric - do you have one already?  I would try to pump as often as you nurse at home in terms of number of times but I wouldn't worry about syncing up the same times.  And don't stress about time; 7-10 minutes should get you by enough that you are expressing the milk and keeping up supply.  

Will you be driving?  You could also pump in your car.  Will you bring a cooler to keep the milk? 

When I go into work and need to pump I have a cooler with extra bottles and ice and my pump bag.  My pump bag has my pump, nursing cover, a clean cloth to wipe my breasts after, horns, bottles to pump into, early on I had cream for sore nips, and the cord, as well as bags - which you don't need but are nice for storage.  Between pump sessions I would store my pumping bottles and horns in the cooler so I don't have to clean them.  GL and ask any more ? you have.  You can do this!  

katlizabeth

I also like the idea of calling the convention center ahead of time if possible.  Oh, and I always wear a nursing cover when I pump in public, so that's a good idea too!  (I just kind of assumed...but that's just because I do it at school all the time)

close2it

I had to go on several multiple day trainings and had the same worries as you.  In all cases, I contacted the person in charge by phone or e-mail and just let them know I was a nursing mother and that I would A) need to step away from the training X amount of times and I would need a place to pump.  They were always very accomodating and always told me to get up and go when necessary and gave me a private room to do my pumping in.  

I always introduced myself to the presenter when I got there, making sure they knew of the situation so they didn't think I was being rude when I got up and left.  Plus, I always sat near the doorway for easy exit and entry.  Don't forget to bring a small cooler/ice packs along to store your parts and milk in.

Most companies are used to dealing with this, as most companies are required, by law, to provide space and time for nursing mothers.