need some advice from moms who nurse

issue:

i am leaving on sunday to go out of state for for 5 nights not getting back into town until saturday. i nurse my son who is 7-8 months old and plan to continue once i get back.

the facilities i will be in during the week are not conducive for pumping (field training), it's possible that i will be in open barracks during my training, and don't believe there will be a facility near by for me to clean the parts to the pump between pumping.(let alone they don't promote lactating mother's to attend this course, but i need it and that's that.)

so my issue as you can see is i won't be able to pump from monday-friday early afternoon (when i am back in a clean area.) i have no problem pumping and dumping since flying eliminates any chance of storing the milk.

will i be able to reestablish the demand once i am back home with my son?

i have mother's milk tea that i plan to start drinking friday night before i fly out saturday morning. i will continue taking my prenatals. and once i am back in florida i know connor will be happy to see me (he preffers breast over bottle and will have been drinking formula all week.) he is on his solids (baby foods) 3 times a day and eats them very well. does this sound feasible?

please let me know i am not ready to ween just yet..

Comments: 13

Amber R. Jan 18, 2010, 10:21pm UTC

i was advised to express while showering, which may be awkward since it is open bay showers.. but hey i can try to sneak in and do it while no one is in there we will see..

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Louie Louie Jan 18, 2010, 10:33pm UTC

I would pump and freeze as much as you can for him to have while you're gone. I guess you would have to express when you get a chance, like Amber says, in the shower, or when ever you can find some privacy. I had to express into a cup, then dump it down the toilet.

Louie Louie Jan 18, 2010, 10:34pm UTC

sorry, i just realized you are Amber! DUH!

Amber R. Jan 19, 2010, 6:29pm UTC

it's ok it was an after thought from my post.. thanks for the advice though

Louie Louie Jan 19, 2010, 10:23pm UTC

You're welcome. I had EVERY problem you could imagine while I was breastfeeding, and managed to overcome all of them. Took alot of cr@p from doctors, family and friends, but managed to keep it up til my son was 5.

Amber R. Jan 19, 2010, 10:35pm UTC

wow 5 that's very impressive.. and pumping around connor isn't an option.. he is very jealous of the pump.. has been since he was an infant.. would try to do it while he was asleep and he would wake up screaming.. even if i had fed him prior to me pumping.. he's a funny lil man

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Marsha C. Jan 18, 2010, 11:16pm UTC

are you in the service?
It's been 13 years or just over since I last nursed and I didn't have to be away from my children so I'm not much help.
I would just say to do what you can, when you can

Amber R. Jan 19, 2010, 6:29pm UTC

yes i have been in over 10 years.. 8 years active duty and the past 2 in the reserve..

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Rachel D. Jan 19, 2010, 9:00pm UTC

You can hand express in the evenings and mornings - I suggest mornings be your priority, as that's when you have the most milk - and if you can afford it, get a hand pump to help your hands from cramping. You should be able to re-establish your supply with help from your baby. Set aside plenty of time for nursing when your baby is good and hungry so you can get in some really good, long nursing sessions to stimulate more milk production. Good luck!

Amber R. Jan 19, 2010, 10:32pm UTC

thank you for the great advise.. i have a manual pump but wasn't impressed with it at all.. but i can carry it with me it's small and has a lil bag.. mornings may be an issue unless i can get up really early the first morning has me on base ready to go before 5am.. gotta love the military..

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Debra H. Jan 21, 2010, 9:01am UTC

Wow tough situation. I would agree with Rachel though, also Louie with the pump and freeze. If your baby gets a taste for other milk he may not want to resume breast feeding when you get back.

Amber R. Jan 21, 2010, 9:17am UTC

he doesn't like formula, he has had to supplement before and a 4 ounce bottle could last for hours where as a bottle of breastmilk is downed pretty quick.. so him taking a liking to formula isn't a real concern there..

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renee palting Feb 1, 2010, 2:37am UTC

I know it is pretty late to put in my two cents, but ...
The military including reserves are supportive of breastfeeding. If you contact your commander and let him or her know, they are suppose to make accommodations for you. You can store your milk in a cooler bag then a refrigerator if at all possible and fly home with it. (breastmilk in any quantity is allowed on the planes now.)
It is not so much about storing your milk when away, but keeping the milk flowing. You can always hand express or use a pump (manual or electric). Anytime you let your breast get engorged, you are decreasing your milk supply. So keep them soft by pumping whenever possible.
I think it is great that you are breastfeeding and serving the country. Having worked with many military and reserve people, I know there are alot of circumstances that can interfer with breastfeeding. Fortunetly, the military (all branches) and the reserves have publically stated their support of breastfeeding. They even have Lactation Consultants in the military.

I hope your trip away went well.- Renee

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need some advice from moms who nurse

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