Hi Mama's! I am considering a trip (airfare paid by company) with several co-worker's when my son is approximately 8.5 mos old. My son is 4 mos old now and breastfeeding. By the time of the trip he obviously will have started solids and the number of times I need to nurse will be down. The trip will be for 5 days. My first question - is there a chance of drying up when I'll be pumping for that length of time with no nursing? Also is there a greater chance of drying up since he won't be nursing as much so obviously I won't be producing and pumping as much milk? Thanks, Ladies! Your responses will greatley influence whether I say yes or no to this trip because there's NO WAY I'm giving up breastfeeding for this trip! :)
First of all, thanks to all you wonderful mom's who've been through this and happily survived! :) Once I actually took the trip it wasn't nearly as scary as the anxiety ABOUT taking the trip! I had great support from my fellow travelers which helped a lot. They were very good about working around pumping and I reminded myself to stay flexible too. I pumped three times a day and had no problem keeping up supply. I pumped once on the plane too - easy peasy! I would recommend a window seat and having a friend next to you, which I did, then throw over the nursing apron and no one took a second glance. Plus you really can't hear anything over the noise of the engines. I did have to overnight the milk I pumped back home before leaving and pumped-and-dumped the last day there as they won't allow more than 3 oz of liquids on the plane without an infant along. Going through security was great too - they asked on the return trip that I pull out the frozen ice packs to scan separately but because they were frozen, they were fine. If I had to do it all over again, I definitely would. It gave the kiddos and my DH some wonderful time together and I have never been so happy to see a group of people at the Airport in my life! :) My one lesson learned - I took the trip for some great R&R but our return flight home was pre-dawn departure. I meant to come back all rested and refreshed but I came back tired from traveling and lack of sleep. Next time I would definitely take a later flight! Thanks again for sharing all of your advice!
I went on a business trip about the same age with my second. I followed my pumping routine I followed at the office and added in an extra morning and night pump to replace the actual feedings and had no problems. However, with all the travel be sure to drink plenty of fluids. I found after a day of travel the milk production was down because I was dehydrated:)
Have fun on your trip.
I went on several trips while nursing, the earliest for 4 days when my son was 6.5 months. None of the trips had any negative impact on my overall breastfeeding. Be sure you pump consistently and be sure you have plenty of milk in the freezer for feeding while you are gone. Check that the hotel room will have a fridge with a freezer for storage while you are there. Also remember to schedule activities so you will be able to get back to the rom or another appropriate place to pump. I have done a pump and dump in a ladies room, but it is no fun :) You CAN bring all of the pumped milk home with you on the plane, per TSA regulations. Have a great time!!
As long as you continue to pump at around the same times your son would normally feed, I don't see why 5 days would be a concern.
Definitely plan on pumping because it won't just keep up your supply, it will keep you comfortable. At night (at least) plan on hand expressing (if possible) until you are fully empty. But you should be fine for 5 days with just pumping, just try and pump pretty regularly. First thing in the AM, last thing in the PM, and try to get at least 1 time in during the day.
I was away from my son for 3-4 days when he was about that age and my daughter for 4 days when she was 13 months.
Both were hard core nursers!
I brought my pump but it did not have as much suction as the baby. I produced alot of milk and ended up getting a clogged duct and engorged each time. I was SO HAPPY to get back home to my little person, who could relieve me of my suffering. The first time, I got a bad case of mastitis because I didnt realize what was happening.
I didn't notice my milk supply diminishing. If it did, it came back up when I started nursing regularly.
I pumped four eight months straight after my child was four months...I was completly fine, that said I had an AMAZiNG milk supply. But i think you should be fine, just make sure you pump often and long enough, that will be the main thing.
A friend of mine pumped while at work. She went to a 4 day seminar. her pump broke the 2nd day. She had a back up but it was at home and by the time she would receive it, it would be time to go home. He son was already almost a year old and she really only nursed at night and could easily skip pumping at work. She went to a local hospital to use a pump (they were happy to help and would not take payment) and was fine otherwise. her supply did go down a bit but it came right back by the end of the first week after returning home.
I would start to pump and freeze about 2 months ahead. Friend pumped in the middle of the night for 2 weeks for a weekend trip, and then she pumped and saved on the trip. I would not skip pumping. It will seriously impact your ability to nurse him when you return. If weaning is not an option, then you need to ensure arrangements to pump so you can return to nursing when you come back.
All babies are different, but my DD took 12ish ounces after 6 mo. old for a 10 hour day (travel time and work day). I would pump your regular schedule and then add at least 2 more to imitate his feeding schedule.
Also, if you go, find out your rights re: traveling with milk without the baby on an airplane. Some TSA do not know that it is currently allowed. Have a plan B, like mailing it home UPS if necessary.
