Leaving Toddler Overnight, Will I Need to Pump?

If I were you I would bring the pump just in case you need it. Being engorged doesn't make for a very romantic weekend either.

Yeah, I agree, bring the pump. I am still nursing my 12 month old 3 times a day (sometimes 4) and when I go all night and then am late on a feeding in the day, I do get full. You nurse more than I do, so I'd say bring it in case. Even if you have to pump off a little for 5 minutes, it's worth the piece of mind and comfort. Besides, intimacy can bring in the milk- same hormone. Good for you nursing so well still. How long are you planning to nurse? (I nursed my first the longest- 22 months, but not sure this time.) Anyway, have a great get-away. You deserve it.

Hi there,

I'd guess that you'd have some pretty engorged breasts if they are used to having your son breastfeed 4-5 times a day (similar to our daughter who is 16 months!). But perhaps you can express some of the milk by hand, in the shower or something, so you don't have to bring the pump with you? I did that a few months ago when we were traveling across time zones and my milk production didn't match up with our daughter's sleeping, and it was fine.

If you haven't hand expressed before you might want to look up the techniques before you go, just to make sure you don't have any problems while you area away. I assume you can find something online, perhaps on the La Leche League site. I have some breast feeding books that show little diagrams.

Have a great night away with your hubby!

H.

Since you're SAHM, I think you can just bring the pump with you and pump if you feel the need. Otherwise, if you end up not pumping, I'd suspect that you might see a blip in your supply a few days later (that's how long it usually takes for the body to register a change), but if you've already resumed your normal routine with him by then, it should rebound right back. I think. But, like I said, I'd take the pump just in case and see how you feel.

I'd nurse him right before you leave him and take your pump just in case you need it in the morning! You'll probably not need it, but Murphy's Law says if you don't take it you'll need it. Just leave it in the trunk of the car so it isn't a mood killer and use it if you need it. Good luck and congratulations on your 5th anniversary!

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Go & have fun! I'd bring it along *just in case* you start feeling too engorged & uncomfortable. (although the other poster mentions hand expressing in a warm shower, ooh, that sounds like it could be much more romantic than the moo-cow machine!)

Enjoy your anniversary!

If its just over night I probably wouldn't pump the 4-5 times a day you usually nurse your son, but I think you should pump a couple times otherwise you might risk hurting your supply. Maybe at night before you go to bed and then around noon the next day. Its possible you would still be ok, but I wouldn't want to risk it if you are serious about continuing to nurse...only because it might be hard to get your supply back up if you lose it. I'm no expert but I think that is what I would do if I were in your shoes! :)

I agree with the others...it's better to be safe than sorry. You would not want to spend your time away with uncomfortably engorged breasts. You probably don't need to do a full pumping, just a quick one to release a littl pressure and stimulate production of milk so you don't have a problem with supply the next day.

Have fun! You deserve the time away.

for me it was too long, but everyone is different. you can always bring it along & use it if you are too full.

First off, congratulations! I have to say that I am a little envious of your night away. I remember when my mother would take my daughter overnight to let my husband and I have a break, but that was before there were 3 kids...
Bring your pump.. better be safe than sorry and I'm sure your husband won't mind much...let him help and maybe it wont be such a bad thing! Have a great night!!

I still nurse my 20 mo old 4 times a day, so when I am away from her for more than 4 hours I pump. I pump before I go to bed just to have some aside and during her nap, not always both times, but I notice when I don't pump atleast once a day then my supply must be going down as she will nurse and then ask for more milk it seems. She likes me fuller. I personally would think that going that length of time would affect my supply and maybe even make me uncomfortable, but you know your body best. You can always bring the pump along and if you feel the need to use it then do so, atleast that way you won't be left feeling uncomfortable and having to remove milk yourself (can't recall term for this at this time). I understand it is not always convenient, but if it makes you more comfortable then do so. Aren't you pumping milk to give your mother while you are gone anyway? I have to pump to put milk aside when I am not with her so I just do pump. Good luck.

I think you're milk supply might be fine, but you'll probably be pretty uncomfortable after 18 hours or so. I had a 13 month old down to only twice a day and took 36 hours away thinking it would be no problem (I was ready to wean him so I wasn't very concerned about my supply). I was really, really full of milk at 24 hours and really wished I had my pump. I would suggest bringing it so you can pump if you feel the need. Enjoy your time away!

leave your poor mother a bottle,otherwise she might have problems.depends also on how much he's actually drinking,but it probably more of an emotional comfort at this point.

You will want to pump to avoid clogged ducts. In my experience it also helps keep you suppy up. Enyoy you romantic get away!

If you have a good established supply at this point you should be fine. I am nursing a 30 month old. I left her for three days in November and was fine when I returned. I haven't pumped in over a year.

My son is almost 22 months old now, and some days he goes without nursing, and everything is fine. I think one day he went 2 days.