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BF Moms - traveling without baby + pumping/milk supply

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gck0708
She is love!

Member since 11/08

1863 total posts

Name:
Grace

BF Moms - traveling without baby + pumping/milk supply

I need some advice, and I'm sorry in advance that this is long. I am a BF SAHM to an 8.5 month old DD and supplement with formula usually only once a day (at bedtime when my milk alone isn't enough for her). I ideally want to BF for a year but here are a few things that could potentially ruin that:

1.) I'm going to a wedding overseas in October and will be gone for 3 days. DD is not going with me for a few reasons.
2.) I already feel that I have a low-ish milk supply and any change in DD's feeding routine tends to make it drop substantially. I was away from her for 24 hours and did, of course, pump when I was gone but it seriously affected my supply and took me 2-3 weeks to get back to normal. I can't even imagine what 3 days with no nursing and only pumping will do.
3.) My DD is already pushing me away and refusing to nurse - I know nursing strikes are common but this has been going on for over a month and it's really starting to take a toll on my milk (and my determination to keep going)

Already I am finding it a struggle to nurse her because she's so incredibly distracted and I'm lucky if I can get her to nurse for longer than 2 minutes each side. My gut tells me that she's not getting enough milk (am going to have her weighed tomorrow so we'll see). She very often pushes me away and it's hard to get enough milk into her without resorting to the bottle. I have hardly enough milk to feed her, never mind pump at the same time so I have no milk in reserve to give her. I just feel like I'm failing at all this!

It will also be awkward to pump when I'm away from DD because:

1.) I have to fly transatlantic with a connection 2 days apart from each other, I can't bring my electric pump because of the difference in electrical outlets, and my hand pump is a PIA and doesn't do as good of a job, IMO. How I'm going to manage to pump as often as I feed her going through airports and being on the plane is beyond me. Also I guess I'll have to throw the milk away because I can't sterilize going through the airports/on the plane. I also won't be able to eat properly during those 2 days of transatlantic flying which isn't going to help my milk at all.
2.) Pumping during the wedding is another PIA but I guess is more managable than the flying part.

I'm just wondering if anyone has advice or what you think of my situation. Part of me feels that to have made it almost to 9 months is great and perhaps it's time to stop. The other part of me feels horribly guilty for thinking of stopping and that I should just suck it up and try to do it. I'm just of two minds about it.

Any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated. TIA.



Posted 8/23/10 11:06 AM
 
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RobinG
LIF Adolescent

Member since 1/08

595 total posts

Name:
Robin

Re: BF Moms - traveling without baby + pumping/milk supply

Ok, I have not left for longer than 24 hours, but...

If you do want to pump overseas, get an outlet adaptor. If you charge up the pump before you leave, it should be good for the whole flight, then charge it with the adaptors when you are there. If you are nervous of the pump overheating with the outlets, I would just charge it and then pump on battery power.

As far as the issue with your DD not nursing well lately and possible milk supply dwindling, I am not sure...I think you should try to get in contact with a lactation consultant asap to try to get an idea of what you can do before you go away. Have you tried galactagogues? I know there are several things that are supposed to help you increase your supply. Good Luck!

Posted 8/23/10 11:33 AM
 

RobinG
LIF Adolescent

Member since 1/08

595 total posts

Name:
Robin

Re: BF Moms - traveling without baby + pumping/milk supply

Also, I am sure you can fly with pumped milk, but you have to check the requirements with the airlines you will be flying. If you bring milk storage bags, you can freeze the milk at your hotel from the first day and then the rest should be fine in the fridge (and cooler bag to fly) until you get home. It is a PITA, but possible with a lot of planning!!

Posted 8/23/10 11:35 AM
 

gck0708
She is love!

Member since 11/08

1863 total posts

Name:
Grace

Re: BF Moms - traveling without baby + pumping/milk supply

Thanks, Robin. I completely forgot about the battery option, that will help. Just a little concerned with finding time to pump when flying. When I get to the hotel I will def freeze the milk but as I can't sterlize the pump on the way over in the plane that milk will be wasted, I think.

Thanks for jogging my memory!

Posted 8/24/10 7:36 AM
 
 

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