I have a Medela PISA and didn't bother getting the car adapter. I never needed it the first time around, but I am currently exclusively pumping for my 3 week old LO2. I will be going back to work ft in October and I regularly solo parent nights and weekends. I am trying to think about if I can make EP work long term and wondering if the option of pumping in the car would help?
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I EP for about 6 months and used mine twice !
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I EPed for 6 months and only used mine a handful of times while I was traveling. I could have done without it!
ETA: I had a year mat leave so I was home or near an outlet for almost all my pumping sessions ... Not sure if working would have had me use the battery pack more or not!
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I pumped while driving the other day...it was so weird!
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As long as it wasn't too distracting, pumping while driving would be so convenient!
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I pump while driving most mornings on the way to work. It helps eliminate a pump session during the day
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I would pump in the car when I found myself in a situation where it would be difficult to pump in public. It was better than pumping in a bathroom, and I could put a cover over top for a little privacy.
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I was an EPer, and I pumped in my car daily toward the end - I pumped on my way home from work, so I could spend as much time not attached to pump as possible when I was home. It was SO nice to not have to worry about a schedule and be able to pump on the go.
You can buy a cheap adapter at Target for like $10, and it worked like a charm for me!
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I EPed and used my pump in the car fairly frequently, but I just used one of those car power adaptors (not pump specific).
Like this http://www.walmart.com/ip/Duracell/23878566 (not this exact one but similar)
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I think it really depends... I probably use it on avg twice a month; sometimes more, sometimes less. All depending on circumstance.
I have the battery adapter too and it has really saved me several times! Although I rarely used it, I sure was glad I had it when I most needed it!
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Never, though it would have been useful. I bought it to use on a long car trip but the fuse in my car was gone and we couldn't use it. My car used to be a rental, so I think they took it out so you couldn't use the lighter attachment.
If you want to get one, make sure the fuse in your car is there!
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I EP'ed with LO1 and I used mine pretty frequently. Sometimes I'd pump in my car during work if both of our offices were occupied (I work for a very small company). I'd also pump in the car when my husband was driving us somewhere so I wouldn't have to go find someplace to pump as soon as I got there. And I'd frequently use it when I was going to a public place such as the zoo, a concert, etc. because I didn't like trying to find a spot to pump- it was usually easiest to go back to my car and do it. (I didn't have a battery adapter, only the car adapter.)
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Thanks for all the feedback! I am thinking the extra flexibility might be worth it, especially since LO1 is used to being out and about, and I figured it would be easy to just nurse on the go.
@jetsa: how many times a day do you pump?
@AmandaB8: @peachykeen: @cranberry: Thanks for the feedback. I am so impressed with long term EPers! I am hoping I can sustain this but it is so early for me. Any advice would be great!
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I EP for my 10 1/2 month old. I never pump while driving, but have used the car adapter a few (~4?) times when I've been out and not near an electrical outlet. It was a lifesaver in those situations, and definitely worth it.
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@MamaCate: advice bomb:
I pumped for 11 months, donated over 6000 oz, and fed my baby for 18 months (9 months on frozen only).
-pump at least 8 times a day. Nursing moms have the benefit of cluster feeding to trigger supply, but EP moms don't. Make sure you pump until you're not flowing anymore, plus 5 minutes. It could be 15 minutes, it could be 45.
-make sure one of your pumps is between 1-5 am. It's when your body produces the most prolactin, which is what triggers milk production
-you won't be at 8 pumps for forever - get to 12 weeks, and your supply will establish more. Then, it's easier to drop pumps to the point where you'll get to 3 or 4 a day - that's when pumping becomes easier than nursingI have an awesome EP only Facebook group if you need the recommendation!
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@MamaCate: 3 or 4 at 7, 9:30, 12 (sometimes) and 2:30
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I didn't need an adapter but I regularly pumped in the car on the way home at the end of the work day.
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I only ever pumped in the car once and hated it. It was too distracting and I was afraid I'd be flashing people.
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I have a freestyle so I don't need to plug it in, but I pump in the car during my commute. I work 2 days / week with a 45 minute commute so it's SUPER helpful to be able to pump in the car. I've done it a few other times too and if I were EPing I would think I would do it even more. I get everything set up before leaving and I wear a cover. Works for me.
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@AmandaB8: Super helpful--thank you! That is amazing you were able to pump that much! I am currently pumping 9x/day and getting about 30 oz. This includes two pumps between 1 and 5 which are definitely my highest output times. I plan to keep up 8-9 times until I go back to work at 12 weeks and then reevaluate.
What was the highest amount per day your LO took? I am trying to think ahead about how to maintain supply and am hoping to cut pumps but still meet LO's needs. It is so great to hear from people who have done it--it makes it feel more possible!!
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@MamaCate: The most my kiddo ever ate was 32 oz - during a growth spurt. She normal ate around 25 oz a day.
And it sounds like you're doing well! Most moms can drop pumps after 12 weeks or so (I'll be honest, I dropped to 6 ppd at 10 weeks) and not lose oz. It's definitely dependent of the mama though.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EP.BWN/ is the group I use - it's exclusive pumpers only, and you'll have to fill out a questionnaire before you join (I think you click on the banner and it gives you the info)
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I EP'd and used the car adapter once when I took a road trip.
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I pump every day in the car. My car charger has been so convenient. I use it every morning!
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