Pumping While Away from Baby

T.,

I don't know anything about pumping and dumping, but pumping when you would normally feed the baby is a great thing to do. That way your body doesn't get too confused. If you have never pumped before, you would definitely want to practice before you go...the last thing you want to deal with is engorgement because you cannot figure out how to pump! If you are drinking enough alcohol that it would affect your milk, then you are probably also drinking enough that it might affect your supply. Alcohol can make a person dehydrated, and can definitely decrease supply. Just something to think about. Have fun on your trip! Don't forget to take a picture of your baby with you.

I agree with pumping when you would normally feed the baby, if you are camping you most likely do not have a way to keep the pumped milk so I would jsut get rid of it.

About breast feeding after drinking - you can buy breast milk tests at Babies R Us that measure the alcohol level in your milk.

8 hours after your last drink is the "safe zone" - pump at least every 3 hours while you are away. make sure your son will take a bottle from whoever will be caring for him while you are gone and have a great time camping!!

Pumping and dumping will work fine. Advent makes a small hand pump that works pretty well. If you want to have the same amount, just use the babies schedule as your guide, (your breasts will remind you) but if you skip a pumping, don't fret, a weekend camping trip will not affect your production that much. I think the rule of thumb is 24 hours for alcohol, but check with your ped.

Don't forget to get your baby used to taking a bottle/sippy cup well in advance of your trip, and formula too unless you'll have pumped enough stored milk in advance. And yes, I would just pump at the same times you'd normally feed him.

Hi! Can't help with the pumping question. I never did. However, there is now a product out that you can test your breast milk for alcohol. I saw it in the June issue of "Parenting" magazine (pg 53 if you have it). It is called MilkScreen they list a web site ( milkscreen.com )as a way to find out about them. They look like a small test strip that you put some breast milk on and it tells you if there is or isn't alcohol in it. I have no idea about price but look up the web site it may help! A.

Hi - I nursed and pumped for 14 months...and went to a breastfeeding mom's group as well. You should pump every 3-4 hours to keep up your milk supply (do both breasts at the same time). What I learned about alcohol is that your milk contains alcohol when your bloodstream does - but not as much as everyone thinks. So if you drink at 7:00 - a glass of wine or two - and then you pump at 10:00 - you're fine - no need to dump, b/c it wouldn't still be in your blood stream. Have fun with your girlfriends!

general rule of thumb is to pump when you would feed. and a weekend isnt very long, it should be fine. 3 months is pretty well established, but certainly not rock solid, it never really is, things can change faster than you think, though you can also build your supply back up easier than you might think, so dont worry too much. but, i do want to mention that you should take into consideration how effective your pumping is. if you dont get a lot of milk quickly at almost every pumping session (you will probably get less at night), it may be that you just dont pump as well as you nurse. some people just dont get a lot when they pump, and do just fine when they nurse. if you think you fall into this category, or if you arent getting as much because you are drinking or whatever, i would definitely add another pumping session or 2 during the day. as for pumping and dumping after drinking, i always thought the rule was about 2 hours after your last drink, the alcohol was out of your breastmilk, whether or not you pump and dump. it leaves your breastmilk the same as it leaves your blood after a certain amount of time. you dont have to get rid of your blood to get rid of the alcohol, know what i mean? it dissipates or absorbs or whatever it does. however, someone here said 8 hours, maybe im wrong about the time, or maybe it depends how much you drink? anyway, i hope you really enjoy your weekend away!!

yes, pump when you would normally feed him since your milk supply is pretty much established at this point. Bring with you some milk storage bags if you plan to keep the milk and freeze it if you can. Keep frozen in a cooler while you travel back when your trip is over.

go to kellymom.com for more specifics about pumping and dumping but usually after 2 pump and dumps you are good to go. takes approx 8 hrs. to get out of your system. but do go to the site I mentioned it is FANTASTIC for all of your breastfeeding questions.

have a great trip.

D.

just to let you know the alcohol is going to increase your supply so you may have to pump alittle extra to avoid an embarassing accident. i am not sure about the pump and dump as i was not able to successfully breastfeed, i only know it increases your supply from friends! enjoy your weekend away!

As far as the pumping goes, I would pump when you would normally feed him, and if you are saving it, freeze it or it stays 7 days in the refrigerator. Make sure you have bottle fed him before going, I had a hard time getting my daughter to take a bottle of breastmilk when I was breastfeeding exclusivly for three months, she eventually got the hang of it but I had to try different nipples. As far as the Alcohol goes, I am not sure on that one but I know you can have a drink after pumping, then the drink stays in your system for an hour so I am not sure about the dumping part of it.

milkscreen.com
they are test strips for your milk....no guessing required.
I would pump when you feel full, and stock pile before you go(if you aren't already) and make sure baby is getting a bottle at least once a day from now on...baby make take a bottle now no problem and in a month if it hasn't been a normal thing will refuse...Goodluck...Have fun.