My plan to keep my sanity when LO arrives is to be able to pump so that I can leave a bottle with my mom or mil and go out with my husband on occasion. But I'm wondering: if I am out and miss a feeding once a week then will my body readjust my supply or will I be engorged? Any details an tips on this subject are very welcomed and appreciated!
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When I miss a feeding I get engorged. It's so uncomfortable.
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If DD is going to stay with grandma I always pump from the breast we used for her last feeding before we leave the house & then nurse her when I drop her off & then pump as soon as we get home from dinner. I also pump both breasts till they're completely empty right before bed. I do wake up engorged but that's overnight.
As long as you nurse lo before you leave you should be fine.
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If I'm planning to go out and leave LO at home with someone else, I make sure to either nurse him or pump literally right before I leave. I never really have issues with an oversupply, though. I can go for about 4-5 hours before I feel uncomfortable, but I do notice that sometimes my supply will take a hit if I wait 5 hours to nurse or pump again.
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Ok I figured those would be the answers.....tell me: do you think I could pump in the car if I get desperate?
I have a hands free battery operated pump (Medela freestyle) -
@TurtleDoves: I have pumped in the car before. Just park away from the other cars. Tinted windows help, too.
I usually don't have engorgement problems if I'm away for less than 8 hours, but I think I'm in the minority. My boobs just seem to have a lot of storage space. I think it depends on your body.
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I would probably pump or nurse right before I left home and then suck it up while I"m out. If you're having a good time, you won't notice until you're really in pain and engorged.
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@turtledoves - not very safe but I used to pump and drive all the time. Get it set up before you take off and down the road you go. Wearing a jacket/cardigan helps conceal the pumps.
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It depends... I only nursed on one side at a time so I feel like that gave me more of a window before engorgement set in. So if I pumped before I left, I would be able to go up to 5 hours before I started to feel uncomfortable. I would only really get engorged if I went 8+ hours without pumping/nursing.
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For the first few months it was painful if I didn't nurse at least every 3 hrs. But after about 4 months i could be away for up to 5 hrs.
Though I couldn't get as much milk with it, hand expression helped me stave off engorgement at the times I couldn't nurse and didn't have the pump at hand.
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Missing feedings could also lead to supply issues. I don't think you'd see a huge drop in supply from missing a feeding here and there, but if you miss feedings regularly, it could decrease your supply...
I've never pumped in the car, but I don't see why you couldn't? I'd just wear a nursing cover and bring an insulated bag to keep the milk in.
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@theknest: lol! I was thinking in the car while we wait for a table at our favorite restaurant but your idea works too!
Thanks ladies for your awesome insight! I doubt our outings will ever exceed 5 hours so, that's good. And we will probably only go out once a week whether it be a date or an errand.
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I pump every time I don't nurse and LO gets a bottle. Though I don't always pump when she's taking a bottle. I just try to get an extra pumping session in that day... usually right before I go to bed.
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I feel engorged whenever I dont pump. But my supply has ben very good even though I work full time and dont pump at work.
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Use a nursing cover to pump in the car
for the first six months or so I would get uncomfortable about an hour after I was due to nurse/pump. Now at 9 months I can almost make it to the next feeding. However, in the beginning (like the first 3 or so months) you really want to avoid missing a feeding because you're establishing your supply and don't want to start making less milk.
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