Okay, I am away from my 6 month old for the first time, traveling for work. My pump just isn't cutting it. It has been over 24 hours and I have more than 36 left before I can latch her on to empty me out. My right breast is incredibly painful. This happened when I first started pumping at work too, but I only had to wait till the end of the day.. I have to travel again next week, and I'm not sure I can handle the pain again. I have done the hot shower, continued pumping after the milk stopped and massage. Hand expression doesn't work for me very well, and I don't know how else to get this all out and soften that spot without feeding a baby! I know that this will get better, but I also know that I'm not getting as much milk as I normally do. I usually get 5.5 oz of milk out of one breast in the morning, and two out of the other while still feeding my baby. This morning, I got a TOTAL of 8.5. Anyone else know what I can do besides taking some tylenol?
Update - This is a great pump that is usually so much better than my other (I am traveling with the Medela but also have an Ameda at home). My baby was actually on Skype yesterday, and that didn't do it for me. I have tried all the tricks and even have baby cries on my computer. I know that I am doing okay, in that I do have milk flowing, just not all that I need.
Thank you all for your support, kind words, and suggestions. I am used to the dehydration, but for some reason find it hard to keep up the intake, especially at the beginning of the trip. I have increased this, but it probably still isn't enough. The bubble bath was a great idea, but hotel bathtubs gross me out. The comment did remind me to relax. When I first started pumping at work, I had to read a book and relax, but as I got used to it, I could then work while pumping, which I was continuing. While I haven't necessarily pumped a larger quantity, the hard spot has decreased, and with it the pain. I told my 6mo on Skype last night that she better be hungry when I get home, because she is eating whether she wants to or not. :)
Call a nearby hospital / maternity ward and ask if you can use their breast pump - even if you end up having to throw out the milk - you'll keep your supply going. If that's not going to work go to a pharmacy and buy a new pump - even a battery powered one will be better than nothing. Good luck
Also make sure you're drinking alot of water of non-alcoholic fluids - you could be dehydrated which affects the amount your produce.
Hi WorkinMom, this won't help you today of course, but on the next trip....
I had a 25 week preemie who didn't actually nurse until he was nearly 3 months old. After my poor husband ran around the whole world buying a dozen different breast pumps, I rented a hospital issue pump from the NICU at the hospital. It was like night and day, SO much better than all the other pumps.
For now, did you try all the tricks? Drink a beer while pumping, warm wet towels on each breast, look at a pix of your baby or watch a really emo movie about babies and families while pumping?
I admire you very much sticking with it considering your work situation.
Good Luck!
I know you tried a warm shower, but I had to run a very warm bubble bath and sit in it while I pumped. Perhaps relaxation will help more than trying to simulate having your baby with you. Good luck, I know how miserable you are!
Try to drink more water - when I was still nursing and I flew and all of the sudden was not producing as much as normal. I drank a lot of water and recovered, and made sure I drank even more on the flight home and subsequent flights.
I never knew until then how dehydrating it is to fly (not sure why... but it is).
Good luck!
