Moms that only pump, need some support.

DD is such a great baby and I really feel confident in getting out and doing things with her. But, I feel lke pumping is really restricting me. We are making all of these plans with our families, to go apple picking, pumpkin picking, etc and all I can think of is "how can I pump!?" If I was BFing, I could just BF and be done with it - but the fact that I have to make sure that I can pump every 5-6 hours is really ruining everything.

We were supposed to go to Hershey Park next weekend, but I backed out b/c we won't have a hotel room until 4PM the next day and I am worried about not being able to pump for the whole day.

Anyone else feel this way or have any suggestions for me?
Thanks

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

I am supplementing with formula so for me it is OK to skip a pumping session every now and then. If you would be in too much pain skipping a session, you can get a cheap manual pump. I have one and it fits right in my diaper bag. Its the Avent one and under $50.

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

UGH, this is how I lived my life as well. Its like your in prison or on a leash! The only thing I can say is, there were MULTIPLE times I pumped in my car

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

I'm only 2 1/2 weeks post partum but I already feel this way.

I know my Medela PISA has a battery, so that if I needed to I can take it with me and possibly pump in the car.

Though going 5-6 hours without pumping is great! that means you would only have to take 1 pump break! I'm still pumping every 3.

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

I know it's less than desireable, but there is always the backseat of the car! I BF DD many times there and pumped in the car when necessary. You can do it! Keep up the good work!

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

I don't exclusively pump, but I have pumped many times in the car, in bathrooms, etc. I just bring a cooler bag with me and put the milk in there when I pump.

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

does your pump have the ac jack for the car?

I've pumped in the car when I need to. these things are so mobile now, it doesn't have to be restrictive!!!!! it's not as craptastic as I thought it would be either. I was even able to do it while dh was driving!

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

i agree with handpump. i have the isis. i would just pull it out in the car and pump.

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

I have pumped in the car a couple of times....its so FUN!

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

i would think you need to pump more than every 5-6 hours!

which pump do you have?

i have the medela freestyle and it's completely portable.

like PPs, i have also pumped in my car MANY times (don't need the jack either).

if you have the freestyle, you can honestly pump ANYWHERE... in a bathroom, etc. because you don't need to be connected to anything.

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

pump in the car!! for the first few months it is tough b.c tyou are a slave to the boob but it levels out and you will be able to have a life again.

for me, it drove me a little batty b.c i had a winter baby. i felt like my a$$ literally flatten b/c i was on the couch all day long .

just make sure to bring an adapter for the car and pump on the way..
you will be fine!

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

Just
Due to breastfeeding, I have lived my life in 3-hr increments for the past few years I don't exclusively pump, but running an errand - have to be back in time to feed baby. Going to a function - how long before I start looking lopsided or getting uncomfortable?
Breastfeeding is restricting and difficult - just wanted to tell you you're doing awesome and there are unfortunately sacrifices that come with it - or figuring out which bathroom has the right hook up for your pump, etc.

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

pumping is a big sacrifice. Just keep reminding yourself why you are doing it and it's not forever. I have definitely given some things up this past year, but it's all worth it. I personally have not pumped in my car or bathroom and I don't think I would unless I absolutely had to. I always plan so that I can be home to pump when I have to be. As your DD gets older, you will be able to pump less often. Since DS is 6 months old I have been pumping 4X a day which is really not that bad and starting tomorrow I'm dropping to 3X a day which will be a breeze! hang in there...you can do it

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

i don't exclusively pump, but i do pump at work 3 times a day, and a few times on the weekends. when we've been out or for long drives and i need to pump, i have no problem doing it in the car. i do it while Dh drives.

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

Thank you everyone, I am pumping now so I get to read these


I guess I could pump in the car - maybe I can get some use out of the nursing cover I got at my shower! I am also going to look into the manual pump for emergencies LOL

I know it is the best thing for her, I am going to try really hard to keep it up!

Thanks for being my cheerleaders!

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

Posted by Ophelia

I've pumped in the car when I need to. I was even able to do it while dh was driving!

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

Posted by Momma2Be

Posted by Ophelia

I've pumped in the car when I need to. I was even able to do it while dh was driving!

I've done this more times than I can count. I was constantly pumping in the backseat while DH was driving us to parties, friends/families houses, etc.

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

Posted by SweetCaroline

Posted by Momma2Be

Posted by Ophelia

I've pumped in the car when I need to. I was even able to do it while dh was driving!

I've done this more times than I can count. I was constantly pumping in the backseat while DH was driving us to parties, friends/families houses, etc.

Even more fun, I have had to breastfeed Ryan in the car, while DH was driving. There were times he would scream bloody murder, so I'd climb back there and contort my body to hang a boob over him while he was in the carseat. DH was like WHAT ARE YOU DOINNNNGG BACK THERE??

Umm, he's quiet, what do you think I'm doing?

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

I think the manual pumps are terrible and nowhere near as efficient as electric pumps. If you're exclusively pumping and have access to a car, I'd just get a car adapter and pump in there.

I don't know if Hershey Park has this, but some amusement parks have mother's rooms for feeding and changing babies.

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

Posted by SweetCaroline

Posted by Momma2Be

Posted by Ophelia

I've pumped in the car when I need to. I was even able to do it while dh was driving!

I've done this more times than I can count. I was constantly pumping in the backseat while DH was driving us to parties, friends/families houses, etc.

Even more fun, I have had to breastfeed Ryan in the car, while DH was driving. There were times he would scream bloody murder, so I'd climb back there and contort my body to hang a boob over him while he was in the carseat. DH was like WHAT ARE YOU DOINNNNGG BACK THERE??

Umm, he's quiet, what do you think I'm doing?

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

Posted by Tilde

Thank you everyone, I am pumping now so I get to read these


I guess I could pump in the car - maybe I can get some use out of the nursing cover I got at my shower! I am also going to look into the manual pump for emergencies LOL

I know it is the best thing for her, I am going to try really hard to keep it up!

Thanks for being my cheerleaders!

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

Don't back out of anything due to pumping- there is always a way! I've made it to 11 1/2 months so far and it hasn't stopped me from taking flights, long road trips (recently drove to Toronto), going out at night in the city, etc.

Like PPs have said, pumping in the car is pretty convenient. If DH is stuck in gridlock traffic, I ask him to get in the right lane for 10-15 minutes so that no one gets a peep show Or, if we're outdoors for the day, I just go back to the car, do my thing, and join everyone else when I'm done.

It was tricky, but I was also able to pump on a flight with a nursing cover over me and no one could hear the pump since the plane engine was so loud. It also helped that DH was on my left and DS was on my right in a 3-seater so no one saw anything.

Having the Medela Freestyle has made it really easy since it's compact and doesn't need a car adapter. (I'm not sure what pump you have.) With DS before the Freestyle came out, I used the car adapter or battery pack with my PISA.

I kept a huge cooler bag in the car with ice packs and my milk stayed cold for 7 hours. (My insulated bag is big enough to hold a pizza box and I am so glad I got this thing. It kept DD's yogurt and frozen baby food cubes cold all day while we were out too whenever we had to check in to the hotel later in the day.)

I think the bigger pain is washing bottles and pump parts and not the pumping part. Anyhow, it is challenging, but it can be done and you're doing a great job so far!

Message edited 8/31/2010 1:51:53 PM.

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

i use my cover and pump while driving sometimes and eating my lunch also -

i had trouble one day when i went into the city for the day - i used a dressing room

i would see if they have comfort stations- i have pumped in bathrooms with my cover in the lobby areas- i won't pump on the toilet -that is where i draw a line

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

I felt the same way w/ DS . Trapped! we started really going out more often after he hit 8 weeks, I was missing pumping sessions so my supply dropped a lot. some ppl pump in the car but I didn't want to do that. it's really up to you, if you really want to make it work you can use the car adapter for the pump

Re: Moms that only pump, need some support.

Thanks everyone I am going to buy the car thing and a hands free bra!

I neeeeeeeeeeeed to do more stuff, I am going insane here!