BF/pumping question- traveling w/out LO

Staribeth · May 2011

We are going to Europe next month for a week to visit friends and we will leave L with my parents. This is the longest I will have been away from him since he was born (overnights here and there, but never longer than 20 hours).

I give L three solid meals a day and nurse about 6-8 times and I generally do not supplement. I have been trying to pump when I can (which is not often since I am home alone with him for about 12 or so hours a day) and I have a small supply set up for about one or two bottles a day.

Since I don't pump often, I don't pump well and I am starting to get concerned about the process while on vacation. How often should I try to pump? I want to be able to plan the sightseeing and I am trying to schedule times to pump. Would using a manual pump be easier during travel? I do have a Medela PISA but thought it might be too much to lug around.

Also, if you've spent an extended amount of time away from your LO, did they go back to nursing when you returned? My doctor said not to ween before we go away because that would be a loss of both BF and then of his parents, which could be difficult for him. I don't really have a set plan as far as BF is concerned. I am hoping to last until 1 year and then take my cues from L.

When we planned this trip months ago, I had no idea that we would still be nursing! We had such a hard time, I never expected that would have lasted this long! Thanks for any advice!

Jessicamz · May 2011

Staribeth:

First off, I'm totally jealous of your European vaca! It sounds like so much fun. Where are you going?

I give L three solid meals a day and nurse about 6-8 times and I generally do not supplement. I have been trying to pump when I can (which is not often since I am home alone with him for about 12 or so hours a day) and I have a small supply set up for about one or two bottles a day.

Since you are nursing 6-8 times a day I would be concerned with only leaving 1 or 2 bottles for each day!

Since I don't pump often, I don't pump well and I am starting to get concerned about the process while on vacation. How often should I try to pump? I want to be able to plan the sightseeing and I am trying to schedule times to pump. Would using a manual pump be easier during travel? I do have a Medela PISA but thought it might be too much to lug around.

I have 0 idea if a manual pump would be easier, but I know the PISA can be adapted in the car so that might making pumping while traveling easier. I would personally pump as much as I was planning to BF when I came back home.

Also, if you've spent an extended amount of time away from your LO, did they go back to nursing when you returned? My doctor said not to ween before we go away because that would be a loss of both BF and then of his parents, which could be difficult for him. I don't really have a set plan as far as BF is concerned. I am hoping to last until 1 year and then take my cues from L.

I have never personally spent an extended period of time away from DS, but I would be concerned with this. It seems like it might be a hard week for him. Have you been giving him bottles so he is used to both nursing and bottle feeding? I know I stopped bottle feeding DS for about a month or so and when I tried to give him a bottle he was not happy about it! It took me a coupld of weeks for him to get used to it again.

HisKathy · May 2011

wow, it would be really hard to leave my LO for that long! Keep building your stash so he can get as much BM as possible in your absence. I would suggest pumping at least 3-5 times a day and definitely with the PISA. A manual pump would take forever and this way you'll be done with both breasts in like 20 minutes. The bag has a cooler pack for the milk and if you have some additional cooler packs outside the box you can keep your shields and connectors cool enough that you don't have to clean/sanitize them between pumps. That way you'll be able to just take a break every 4-5 hours and pump, pack up and keep going. You didn't say if you have the backpack or shoulder bag and I'm just assuming they have the same amount of storage space but for the shoulder bag at least I had the cooler box in the middle and a sandwich bag with the sheild and connectors in them on either side (then you could put a cooler pack right next to each of them to keep them cool). then at the end of the day you can bag the milk you've pumped and clean your stuff for the next day. Hopefully, you'll have a refrigerator available for you to store your milk in (if you want to store it....I didn't even think of the possiblity you wouldn't keep the milk, but if you go that route it would certainately be easier - but sad to lose that liquid gold). If you don't pump enough then your supply might suffer. Since your LO is a bit older, I don't have any doubts that he'll be able to pick right back up with the nursing when you return. At least this is what I would do in your situation. Have a great trip!!

Staribeth · May 2011

Oh, sorry I wasn't clear. I will be leaving formula for him as well. I am still trying to pump leading up to the trip and hoping I can get enough stored so that he will get three or four bottles a day of breast milk.

He does take a bottle very easily- we joke that he'd nurse anyone and take any bottle! So, I am not too worried about that.

Thanks for the advice!

TravelinMama · May 2011

Travelling is REALLY hard while bf'ing / pumping, especially while doing lots of touring (I learned this the hard way in China /Hong Kong a couple months ago). You have to be extra vigilant about putting time aside to pump. I'd try for at least every 3-4 hours, however much it is that LO usually nurses for.

I would actually bring both pumps (just in case). I'm assuming you can use batteries with the PISA? Bring lots (in original wrapping and in your luggage), one set in your pump (brand new, just in case for security), I had to go through a couple battery changes while on vacation for a week.

I'd also do Fenugreek (smaller dose) to keep your supply up since you are pumping and not nursing as usual and make sure you drink lots of water on vacation.

Have fun.

Medela · May 2011

Hi, I am an official representative from Medela and first I would like to say, congratulations on making it this far! Also, feel free to direct your question to our Lactation Consultant. She offers free consultations and breastfeeding advice. Have a safe trip! https://bit.ly/lc_medelaus

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BF/pumping question- traveling w/out LO

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