Pumpers/BFers - WWYD!?!?!?

JBDamonM · September 2013

Sorry to monopolize the board but I have a predicament and question.

I have a business trip this week. I leave Wed morning and come home Thursday night.

My days of BFing are coming to an end. We really only do it in the morning and in MOTN - and really only b/c it's about saving time.... Although with LO sick this weekend and having a sensitive tummy - it was great to be able to put her on the boob. It was easier on her tummy, I felt like the antibodies were better in my milk, and it was comforting to her......And without DH here it was easier than making bottles.

Sooooo I am planning on dropping my pumping to twice a day this week (from 3 times) and I really don't get much from the pump anyways (maybe 6-7 ounces all day). But with the trip it's going to be VERY difficult.

I can pump before I leave the house Wednesday morning - at 5ish, and then when I get back to the hotel that night - probably 10ish. The next morning i can pump at 7AM and then not again until midnightish. So I'm going 17 hours. In the past I've never gone more than 12.

So - would you go buy a manual pump so you could add a quick session into each day and do it on the go? I'm not looking to save any of this milk since I have to fly home, but I"m not sure I want to totally dry up, and I don't want to get mastitis.... (not even sure if that's a legit concern)... or would you just wing it?

I'm at a loss and thinking I probably don't understand things well enough to make the right decision so i"d love some help!

kmc84 · September 2013

I think I would grab a hand pump and try to pump a little during the day when you can. I had mastitis back to back early on and it was horrible, so I may be a little more cautious because if it. That long berween pumping would make me a little nervous. Are you ok if your supply tanks on the trip? You can fly home with all of the breast milk you want as long as the ice packs are still frozen when you go through security.

JBDamonM · September 2013

I have a freezer stash - not sure exactly how much is in there, but probably close to a weeks supply. LO has been supplemented for a month and a half and before she came down with her cold, my plan was to cut back her bottles to just 1 ounce BM this week, knowing this trip would probably end things...but of course, with a baby - nothing goes as planned

So, once she gets ALL better (probably by the end of the week) I'll move forward with going to just 1 ounce. Long answer to your question - not worried about supply, really just worried about drying up completely.

kmc84 · September 2013

If you can do your usual two pumps a day and really try to get even 10 minutes with a hand pump, for just two days, I would think your supply would not take much of a hit. It sounds like a very busy trip! Good luck!

mcgeeva · September 2013

I would pump just to avoid being in pain!

JBDamonM · September 2013

mcgeeva said:

I would pump just to avoid being in pain!

That's the thing - at this point I'm BFing so little that my boobs probably would be tolerable, at least most of the time!

TJ1979 · September 2013

A hand pump is cheap and easy enough that it might be worth it. But you could also plan to pump twice/day, and maybe hand express some (maybe into a cup or something in the bathroom?) if you get too uncomfortable.

JBDamonM · September 2013

Thanks ladies - I think you all pretty much confirmed what I was already thinking...... buy the manual pump.

This way I can pump when in the airports and get a mid day session in on both days.... Should help immensly.

And in other news - I wonder what the TSA folks are going to think with my suitcase full of breast pumps HAHA.

kaf7 · September 2013

I've travelled lots with my full pump. It comes with a battery pack. I have pumped in the 10 min washroom break of a meeting before. I would just take your normal pump and excuse yourself to the bathroom as needed. I just rinse my parts and put them on a repeal able plastic bag and do a thorough clean when home. Especially if you're going to just dump.

JBDamonM · September 2013

@kaf7 - Thank You! I Didn't realize how easy the battery pack was.....Since I'm daycare poor these days, I will happily save the $30 for a hand pump! Thanks for pointing that out.

Want a personalized experience?

Pumpers/BFers - WWYD!?!?!?

Re: Pumpers/BFers - WWYD!?!?!?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards