How to keep BF while away...

[Marcimama]

My dh and I have an amazing opportunity to get away on a little get away for 3 nights. My dd is 15 months and nursing morning and night and perhaps a few in between. She is drinking cows milk and eating just fine... my question is should I pump... I really don't want to dry up... or wean. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but we both still enjoy it... plus I don't want to get engorged.

Also, I don't have a hand pump... what do you all recommend for pumps?

[dse657]

I'm going to be in your situation soon, as we're planning a trip before DD self-weans. However, I already got rid of my pump! I'm hoping she'll go a couple nights, and if I become engorged, I can hand-express. If she still wants "T" when I return, I guess my supply will re-establish (?)...right now, we're nursing 1-2/day, sometimes more during a teething night.

As for pumps, I loved my Medela hand pump. It was compact, easy to clean/use, and didn't require batteries. Around $30 @ BRU.

[foreverinbluejeans]

My son and 15 mo grandson could have flown to see relatives. He is a SAHF but it may have ended breastfeeding. He did the right thing and decided that a free trip wasn't worth the risk. His wife doesn't know enough about breastfeeding to realize that my grandson may not nurse when they came back or that her supply may fail or there may be other problems.

She is a working mom and didn't care if they went. She does little care other than work and breastfeed.

[Megan73]

I wouldn't take the chance with my supply by not pumping.
Unless you've had great luck with manual pumps, I'd buy a double electric pump and pump whenever she'd normally nurse. I personally don't see a big problem with buying a gently used Medela Pump in Style or similar on Craigslist.
Another option is renting a hospital-grade pump, often a Medela Symphony. You may be able to rent one by the week and if you're driving and staying in a hotel it's no big deal to take it along.

[DCMama01]

I agree with the PP about renting a pump for the month.

[bajamergrrl]

Originally Posted by Marcimama

Also, I don't have a hand pump... what do you all recommend for pumps?

I really like my Medela Harmony pump. In fact, I respond to it better than my double electric pump (but that might just be me).