Pumping on vacation?

[carolyngrace]

I typically pump about 4oz a day. Time of day varies based on when DB eats frequently, and when the milk gets a chance to build up. I was building a stash for work and have about 12 bags currently frozen.

I'll be out of town today until Monday or Tuesday. So 3-4 days. I'm inclined not to bring my pump stuff because I won't be able to keep the milk frozen.

So, my question: will I screw myself if I stop pumping and not be able to produce the extra milk after a few days?? If that's a risk should I just pump & dump it to keep it flowing?

But also... How much extra should I even have for work? Obviously I will be pumping while I'm there to replace what DB eats each day. So maybe I don't need to pump anymore anyway??

[tulips114]

I wouldn't bring the pump stuff OOT. You should be able to still produce the extra milk. Maybe not as much at first, but it should come back.

As long as you can pump at work and get at least the amount baby takes while you're away you don't NEED any extra. Many women like to build a stash for just in case.

[erbear]

I'd probably take it with me but I'm a little paranoid about having enough for her after my unexpected hospital stay!

I know a lot of women pump at work 2-3x to have enough for when you're gone and then pump 2x on weekends for extra.

[islandgirl14]

If it were me, I'd take it with! I think milk flow has the potential to decrease yes... But, if you pick up pumping again when you return, I think you can probably regain that milk production again. My other concern if you've been pumping and then suddenly stop is the risk of getting clogs since you won't be emptying yourself as much as your body is used to. But if need be, you could always hand express if you run into trouble. Just food for thought! Regarding how much to have for work, theoretically you should be pumping each day enough for the following day, so technically you shoudnt need much extra. But I think I would be good to start off with extra set aside just to make sure you are in fact able to pump enough each day!

[mrsmonogrammed]

I would bring it, like islandgirl14 said, I wouldn't want to risk clogs or engorgement. And refridgetated milk is good for 5ish days so you can always bring a cooler and fill it with ice to get the milk back home! (You're driving, right?)

[carolyngrace]

I think I'll bring it. Even if I just end up using it a couple times. I don't want my production to decrease. Having that extra set aside makes me feel secure. Thanks guys!

[Widget123]

Aug 14, 2015 12:58:25 GMT -5 carolyngrace said:

I think I'll bring it. Even if I just end up using it a couple times. I don't want my production to decrease. Having that extra set aside makes me feel secure. Thanks guys!

I think this is a good plan. If you use it great, if not NBD. I prefer to err on the side of caution vs potentially being uncomfortable

[dogmama22]

I always thought you just needed enough for the next day, but the LC at my BF group said it's a good idea to have about a 2 week stash in the freezer when you go back to work. She said it can be harder for some moms to relax and get a letdown at work and worrying about whether you'll have enough can exacerbate that problem.

[Deleted]

For your work question it depends on how much extra you want saved. For me I only pumped enough for 1 1/2 days extra so I think I had 28oz saved up. DS would have 4 (4oz) bottles while I was at work. so I would breastfeed him at 7ish then leave to go to work then be back home around 530 or 6 and BF him as soon as I got home.





Also I never had a hard line of no formula. So even though I breastfed for 15 months I had days where I wouldn't pump enough for the last bottle and instead of having a stash I would just give formula. So it also depends on how you feel about all breastmilk etc

To maintain your extra supply I would bring the pump and pump and throw it out.

[carolyngrace]

Aug 14, 2015 18:49:25 GMT -5 stcyct said:

Very glad you decided to bring it. Last weekend I went away just for one night and was miserable. I brought my pump but forgot the breast shield part rendering it useless. I was so engorged and in so much pain and leaking all through my bamboobies. They were not designed for the likes of this! I decided to get in the shower and hand express as much as I could...but couldn't get enough out and was in there forever. Decided to just go and buy a whole new hand pump but guess what you can't find in rural Vermont? The closest Wal-Mart was 45 minutes away in New Hampshire and forget about finding a target since that was way further and the tiny local rite aid pretty much laughed at me when I asked for a manual breast pump. Then I decide I'm going to keep some of what I hand express by golly since I'm going through all the trouble and this was comical to say the least. Here I am hovering over the sink in my hotel room with two plastic water cups that I keep knocking over. I manage to get four oz that way...then realize I have to get it home. Luckily I remembered a storage bottle and had some Ziploc bags for toiletries. Filled the baggie with ice from the ice machine...put the bottle inside and then the girl scout in me remembered our camp chairs have little built in coolers. I thought they were so silly and unnecessary when I bought them but was certainly whistling a different tune last weekend! I've never been so proud to freeze four oz of breast milk. My little man will plow through it at daycare in a week or so never knowing what his mom went through to give him those four oz!

Oh my goodness! You poor thing lol. Way to make it work.

[kemdupuis]

Aug 14, 2015 18:49:25 GMT -5 stcyct said:

Very glad you decided to bring it. Last weekend I went away just for one night and was miserable. I brought my pump but forgot the breast shield part rendering it useless. I was so engorged and in so much pain and leaking all through my bamboobies. They were not designed for the likes of this! I decided to get in the shower and hand express as much as I could...but couldn't get enough out and was in there forever. Decided to just go and buy a whole new hand pump but guess what you can't find in rural Vermont? The closest Wal-Mart was 45 minutes away in New Hampshire and forget about finding a target since that was way further and the tiny local rite aid pretty much laughed at me when I asked for a manual breast pump. Then I decide I'm going to keep some of what I hand express by golly since I'm going through all the trouble and this was comical to say the least. Here I am hovering over the sink in my hotel room with two plastic water cups that I keep knocking over. I manage to get four oz that way...then realize I have to get it home. Luckily I remembered a storage bottle and had some Ziploc bags for toiletries. Filled the baggie with ice from the ice machine...put the bottle inside and then the girl scout in me remembered our camp chairs have little built in coolers. I thought they were so silly and unnecessary when I bought them but was certainly whistling a different tune last weekend! I've never been so proud to freeze four oz of breast milk. My little man will plow through it at daycare in a week or so never knowing what his mom went through to give him those four oz!

Oh what an adventure! I'm sorry, but growing up in VT, all I can do is chuckle. You couldn't find a Target because VT doesn't HAVE one. I'm glad you were resourceful and able to figure it out on your own. Very impressive!!

[silv3rlining]

I always bring my pump when traveling even if I don't need it...When you don't have you it you'll need it. Baby will not eat well or baby will STTN or you'll get a clog or you'll want to run an errand and leave baby, etc.

[stinybean]

Aug 17, 2015 7:57:42 GMT -5 Joolschweets said:

Just resurrecting this thread to get some ideas...
Going to UK in 2 weeks for a month so obv have to take my pump but voltage is different - 120v here 240v there. My pump isnt dual voltage. Absolutely DNW to pay for another pump there, b/c the medela is the oy one thats worked for me and its expensive.
Has anyone got any experience pumping in Europe with their pump (prob directing this to STMs as not many of us have been travelling that far yet)? Did you buy a voltage converter and if so, did that work?

I don't know if you'd want to do this, but I bought a battery pack for my medela for when I am out of the house. The suction is the same as far as I can tell. It takes AA batteries. I don't know how it would do long term it would probably depend on how often you pump. I got it on Amazon, but they sell in BRU too (just more expensive).

Eta: spelling