how to go out when pumping

JaymeMane

How do people go out (run errand, see family, etc) when you have to pump every 3 hours?  I feel so tied to the house because of the pumping schedule.  It would be nice to be able to go out and run errands without having to rush so you get home in time to pump.  Any advice is appreciated!

MrsLee22

I got a battery pack for my pump, a nursing cover, and a little cooler with some ice packs. I would pack everything I needed and then sit in my car and pump. Not ideal, but it does allow you to be a little more mobile!

katie4253

MrsLee22:

I got a battery pack for my pump, a nursing cover, and a little cooler with some ice packs. I would pack everything I needed and then sit in my car and pump. Not ideal, but it does allow you to be a little more mobile!

This, but I pumped and drove.  Anytime I went anywhere 30 mins away, I pumped on the way there.  It was a huge time saver.  Just be sure you hook up everything (with a hands free bra) before you hit the road.  You don't have to unhook while driving.  Just turn off the pump and then unhook when you get to your destination.  I loved the PumpEase bra.  

sbphotos

How about when you live in NYC and don't drive...;-)

Yesterday was a nightmare because I live an hour long subway ride from the hospital and I had to run errands before I went to see Edzie. It ended up being almost 4 hrs before I could pump again at the hospital! 

Very frustrating being so tied to the pump and my house. Can't really do anything without a major game plan.  

Denesdia

MrsLee22:

I got a battery pack for my pump, a nursing cover, and a little cooler with some ice packs. I would pack everything I needed and then sit in my car and pump. Not ideal, but it does allow you to be a little more mobile!

This exactly.  I had the Medela Freestyle and an utter cover that went everywhere with me.  All of my friends and family knew to expect me pumping at their house, or I would pump in the car, or wherever I could snag some privacy.  You can't stay in the house just because of pumping, especially if you do it for the long haul.   It will get better, and your baby appreciates the gift you are giving them. 

daphne814

I totally agree with the battery pack/ice pack in the car with a cover.  If my husband is driving I sit in the back and pump, but I have done it while I was driving myself as well.  One of our cars, a Toyota Matrix, actually has an outlet I can plug into so I don't have to use the batteries

DoingItRight

I bought the car adaptor. I just use a blanket to cover up. The worst is at work when I have meetings. I would use the **THIS IS SPAM** cover and pump on the subway. It really is no different than breast feeding. I also have two pumps. One for home and one for work. It makes it a little easier. If I could get a third esp a freestyle it would be perfect to be able to move around and pump. 

JaymeMane

Thanks everyone!  My pump doesn't have a battery pack option but I went and bought a manual single pump this weekend.  At least it's something for when I'm out and about without an outlet to plug into.  I'm still new to the pumping (my son is 4 weeks) so I'm sure I'll figure it out or maybe he'll get a hang of breastfeeding soon.  Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate it!

Mrs. Alice

We were driving 2 hours to the NICU so I just used the Medela hand pump that comes with the kit while in the car (someone else driving of course!).  It was a little awkward whipping out my boobs while on the interstate, but sometimes we just do what we have to!  Nowadays I usually just schedule things around feedings, have babies with to BF, or just skip it (not often though).

gysberger04

I just did the best I could; sometimes I had 2 hours between pumping sessions and some other times it was 4-5 hours between; as long as you are producing milk at every feeding it is ok if you have a longer time between pumping sessions every once in a while, imo.

urbanflowerpot

sbphotos:

How about when you live in NYC and don't drive...;-)

Yesterday was a nightmare because I live an hour long subway ride from the hospital and I had to run errands before I went to see Edzie. It ended up being almost 4 hrs before I could pump again at the hospital! 

Very frustrating being so tied to the pump and my house. Can't really do anything without a major game plan.  

Hello, you're in my boat! I've always lived in big cities and take PT/walk/ride bike everywhere (retired the bike during pg, though). I wish I had an answer - though I'll recommend my favorite product (no, I don't work for them I just LOVE IT - https://www.amazon.com/PackIt-Freezable-Lunch-Bag-Polka/dp/B0049CVWCK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334588229&sr=8-1) - this was a lifesaver for transporting my milk to the hospital. Sometimes I had dr appts on the way and this thing keeps everything like it's in the fridge. That gave me a bit more freedom because I didn't have such a time crunch.

I asked about this when I was in NICU and a pumping maniac and didn't get a solution that worked for me. A few people told me how the battery pack would allow you to pump on the go, like in bathroom stalls (ironic that people tell me it's gross that I BF while BW'ing in bathrooms now - whateves) but echhh...the idea of the sound of the pump and my milk splashing, well, I didn't want to do that. Maybe it wouldn't bother you, though! Otherwise, it was just something I had to work my life around. It sucked, and it feels like forever, but it isn't. GL