Working moms who EBF

kjgilhoo

Have you had to travel for work yet?  Did exclusively pumping mess up your supply?

There is a conference in Toronto at the end of March that I've been asked to go too.  It's optional and work says they'll understand if I say no, but I feel bad declining because I already skipped a training in Montreal last month.

It's not so much leaving DD that is weighing on my mind, it's screwing up my supply.  I really don't want to test it with having to pump exclusively for 4 days.  Geographically it's way too far for SO to drive with her and he could fly out on points, but it would turn into a very expensive trip.  My mom lives an hour from the city, and if she was home, this would be a no-brainer because we could visit her, but she'll be in England visiting my sister.

My mind is pretty much made up, but just curious as how to any of you have handled similar situations.

 

MeghanS6

I just got back from a 3 day weekend away from my LO and she is exclusively breast fed.  I had the same worry as you but it all worked out okay.  I couldn't pump as often as I do at work and/or with LO but my supply seems to be fine.  I made sure to drink a lot of water and pump at any opportunity I had.  It was a group trip and I wasn't able to pump for two six hour stretches because of the car trip.  I just made sure when we arrived to pump for at least 30 minutes to make sure I was really emptying my breasts. 

 I will admit though I've never had any issues due to lack of supply.  In fact in the beginning I had an over supply that I had to manage. 

I may add an extra pumping session today just to make sure my supply stays up but I really do not think it is necessary.  Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'd be happy to answer!!  Good luck!

Kondasa

I called the lactation consultant and asked the same question when I was asked to go on a week long retreat. She said my supply would be fine and can bounce back as long as I was pumping. Her biggest concern was DD not relatching. This was when DD was about 5 months.

She recommended lost of skin to skin and reconnection time after I returned. I actually made the decision not to go on the business trip.

ijack

I go on a 2 day trip in a couple weeks and am a little worried about it. I don't have much of a freezer stash, so I need to work on that too. A lot of women have supply dips around 8-9 months anyway, so I know it's probably coming

StefandTodd

I'd be nervous about that too.  Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

Also, I finally replied to your PM

kjgilhoo

Thanks for all your replies ladies.  I hadn't considered DD not wanting to latch on afterwards, yikes!  

I think I'm going to opt out and hope that they're okay with that.  DD is only this young once and I really want to go the year or beyond BFing.  If it was a "travel or lose your job" situation then I'm sure I'd make something work.  It is reassuring to know that pumping exclusively probably would work out if I needed it too!