Traveling and breastfeeding...

Re: Traveling and breastfeeding...

• surpriseaddition member

  June 2014 edited June 2014

  I did a 12 hour drive when my LO was the same age. What I opted to do was pump in the van (our minivan has tinted windows) while DH drove. I already had a pump, and you can buy a regular converter for any electrical device if you don't have a car converter for your pump. We made way better time that way. I would definitely do the trip when LO is still young. Once they are older and more alert and awake, sitting in a car seat that long is torture. GL! ETA: this is also a good age to introduce a bottle if you ever want freedom at some point from BF. Some kids become really stubborn and will refuse a bottle if you don't try to introduce at a younger age. Once you have an established milk supply (after 6 weeks or so) it should be fine to pump and give a bottle of BM every other feeding during the drive.

  
  **DD1 - 7/9/98**

  **DS - 11/9/00**

  **DD2 - 4/30/13**
  

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• Meg&Austin member

  June 2014

  We introduced a bottle a couple weekd ago after ditching our nipple shield. She is not a fan but she will take them. It has taken a lot of trial and error as they all seem too fast for her and she gags.
  
  I have a power convertor so I thought of that asan option!

   

  
  

  
  

  

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• mysticl member

  June 2014

  We did our first road trip about about 11 weeks.  It was a 6 hour drive.  DS fell asleep in the car and DH was like "lets just keep going".  Well, what happened was when he woke up he was overdue and was screaming his head off and it was several miles until we could find a safe place to pull over so I could nurse him.  We had to listen to him scream that whole time.  

  
  

  Based on that my advice is when it gets close to feeding time start looking for somewhere you would like to pull over rather than piecing a spot out of desperation.  

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• Meg&Austin member

  June 2014

  Would I be a bad mom tho waiting say four hours when she is content when she usually eats every 2?

   

  
  

  
  

  

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• ILoveRunning member

  June 2014

  I'd say keep on driving. Just be sure that you keep an eye out for rest areas or exits where you can pull off in order to feed quickly if baby wakes up hungry. We made a 12 hour drive with my son was 6 weeks, and he definitely slept greater stretches than normal.
  
  

  

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• lindseyb624 member

  June 2014

  We made a 6.5 hour drive when DD was about the same age.  We let her go longer than a normal feeding.  I think we stopped at the 3 hour mark and the 5 hour mark and nursed.  One day probably won't mess with your supply....I think you're fine to stretch it a little.

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• Meg&Austin member

  June 2014

  If I pump do I only do one breast as she always feeds on one breast. I figured I should only do one so I don't dry up the one we would use on the next feeding?

   

  
  

  
  

  

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• Meg&Austin member

  June 2014

  Thank you so much for all the help ladies!

   

  
  

  
  

  

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