Community› The Bump Message Boards› Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
New Discussion

Travel solutions - manual pump?

RDK24RDK24 member
in Breastfeeding
Hi ladies,
I went away for a few days without LO last month and took my PISA with me to pump once in the morning and once before bed (LO nurses roughly 730 am and 630 pm). I got anywhere from 5-8 oz depending on the session.

I'm going away again at the end of this month and would love to avoid hauling the big pump around. Thinking about taking just the manual Medela pump but I never got as much with it as I did with the PISA. If I remember correctly, I could use the manual pump for like 15-20 min/side and get 1-2 oz per side at most. 

So my Q is two-part:

1. Any tips for better output with a manual pump? I have the Medela Harmony. Is there a better manual pump out there? If not, how do you pump without it taking forever?

2. If, on a 3-night trip, I only pumped to relieve discomfort (say 2 oz per side in the AM and 2 oz per side in the PM), will that affect my supply in a big way when I get home? Would it give me plugged ducts? (I've had them before.) I've been flirting with the idea of weaning anyway, so maybe this is a good way to drop supply a little and then see what happens at home.

I realize this ended up being more than two questions, haha. Sorry for the rambling post, but any insight/advice on any of the above would be much appreciated!
Report Reply to Post

Re: Travel solutions - manual pump?

  • RDK24RDK24 member
    Bump … anyone? :)
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • vvvvvfeevvvvvfee member
    i never actually needed to use my manual pump (i got the lansinoh one), so i'm maybe not the best person to answer this... BUT, i think the ways to increase your output with a manual pump are the same as with an electric- warm compresses before pumping, drinking lots of water, taking calcium/magnesium, massaging breasts while pumping, watching a video of your LO, distracting yourself with music/reading/tv show, etc.

    if you're only nursing 2x a day when you're home anyway, i don't think that pumping 2x while away for a couple of days would really affect your supply. (although, maybe you'd want to pump 3x a day for a shorter period each time just to keep blocked ducts at bay. i'd also take some lecithin.) your supply should be well-established by now. in my experience toddlers go through periods of real variability in their number/length of nursing sessions per day- i've never had a problem with engorgement or feeling like i had an under-supply following one of these variable periods.
    Report Reply
  • NatesCupcake47NatesCupcake47 member
    casey78 said:
    I wish I knew.  I've never been able to letdown for the manual pump.  I leave for work trip tomorrow and am bringing my whole setup. 
    This is me.  We're backpacking this weekend and I was hoping to get by with my manual pump, but a couple practice sessions with it this week had me realizing I just don't let down for the manual, so I will likely have to carry my full pump/batteries- which I'm guessing is 5-7lbs :-(  Oh well, we're doing a shorter distance trip so that helps...  
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"