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Out and about pumping?

sedl1lausedl1lau member
in Breastfeeding
I live an hour and a half away from a mall and would really like to go shopping without DS sometime soon. How do I pump? Go back to my car to pump? Which is kind of annoying if I'm shopping with a friend. We're also talking about going to the zoo with DH's whole family on Saturday and I'm just unsure of where I'm going to nurse or pump at? Am I going to have to go back to my car every 3 hrs to pump? This is the one thing that bothers me about breastfeeding!
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Re: Out and about pumping?

  • tokenhosertokenhoser member

    It was always easier for me to just take the baby. I nursed all over the place. At the zoo, I would just find a bench. At the mall, I'd probably get a snack and hang in the food court. If you're not comfortable NIP at the mall, you can always use a change room. Do you have a nursing cover? Some people just use a receiving blanket.

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  • sedl1lausedl1lau member
    I have never NIP and don't think I would feel comfortable doing it. I'm not even sure if I've ever seen anyone NIP. The only people I've nursed in front of is my family covered with a blanket, not even DH's family. I guess I don't want other people to feel uncomfortable with it. Am I in the minority here? I think if I would have seen someone else do this, I'd feel more comfortable..
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  • tokenhosertokenhoser member

    It's up to you what your comfort level is. I've found that if I don't make a big deal out of nursing, generally no one cares too much. For situations where I was hanging out with DH's brother or dad, I would definitely use a cover and if they felt weird, they moved to another room. For out in public, no one has ever said a word to me.

    For me, pumping was just so hard. It's hard to figure out what to do with the baby, and he always cried when I tried to pump. I was also content to just leave him for short periods when he was little - I did sneak out for an hour or two, but that was enough for me. Other moms do want to get out longer sooner, and then it is tricky figuring out where to pump.

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  • ginogomermisserginogomermisser member
    I know exactly what you mean. I'm in same boat as you, however I have pumped in the car before with a blanket. How long does it take you to pump? It takes me about 20 -25 minutes but I dont produce alot. Reason why I ask is if you dont pump for very long, I would just do it in a family restroom in a stall. I know its not a very desirable atmosphere, however a girls gotta do what it takes. Good Luck :)
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  • dino24saurdino24saur

    I think I must be in the minority because I feel completely comfortable nursing in public but I hate when I have to pump in public. I always feel like a milk cow. haha. I think it would be much easier to just let your baby nurse. If you are away from your baby and have to pump, maybe use a manual pump so you don't have to worry about finding an outlet? I have used a changing room at the mall to nurse before and no one seemed to mind.

     

    Personally, I have NIP with a cover before and most people didn't notice. At my cousin's wedding it became a joke,because I was nursing when they came around to say hi and the photographer took a picture of us. When he realized what I was doing he offered to erase it. His reaction was pretty funny. After that people kept jokingly asking me to dance (while I was nursing.) Everyone seemed to be in good spirits about it. 

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  • jlsimon56jlsimon56 member

    I pump in the car if I am out without LO.  It's not really a big deal.  People have no clue.

    And I bet you have seen moms NIP but you didn't realize what they were doing.  Like PP's story about the wedding.  I see moms NIP now but I think I am more aware.  I bet the zoo has an indoor "library" type place that's quiet you and your LO could sneak off to.  Your DH could come with you to keep you company if you like.  

    I think BFing is easier when you're out and about vs. having to make and warm bottles and then wash bottles.   

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  • silvercamaro77silvercamaro77 member
    I was a little stressed about NIP at first so I started small- in the exam room at the pedi. Then gradually worked myself up. After the pedi, I nursed in a couple of different places where I'd naturally be sitting, like the restaurant and then I tried it standing somewhere that I could find a place to sit if I needed to like the mall. 

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  • mattsgirl515mattsgirl515 member
    If you are at the mall, bring your pump with you and pump in a changing room or the handicap stall if you don't want to go back to the car. Same with the zoo, find a handicap or family restroom. Those are the spots I always ended up pumping when we were out. Just bring a cooler with plenty of ice packs to the store the milk.?
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