Leaving 22mo for 4 days- do I have to pump??

[chabarocks]

Could really use your help...
I am leaving on a trip for four days this coming weekend, leaving my 22mo son with daddy. DS currently nurses only 1-2 times per day. I have never been a fan of pumping and Im wondering if I absolutely have to bring the pump with me on this trip in order to keep up my supply.

Thanks in advance!

[mambera]

You know, I'm going to be away from my one-y/o for a day next month and I am going to skip the pumping. My plan is to just hand-express into the toilet for a minute or two a few times during the day. (I got that idea from an MDC mama who can't pump at work.)

If your DS is only nursing 2x/day I bet that would be ok for you too.

[ASusan]

I was away from my 27-mo-old for 5 days, and I pumped in the evening (maybe in the mornings, too? I can't remember). If I hadn't, I would have had plugged ducts/mastitis. As it was, I had threatened mastitis the third day.

At the time, he was nursing 3 times a day and about twice at night:

1. wake-up
2. late afternoon (after daycare)
3. bedtime
4. 2am
3. 5am

[Cuau]

I was away from my 2yr old for a weekend, she nursed maybe 2-3 times a day. I naively assumed I needed not to pump. I was so wrong. I hand expressed my milk just enough to keep me sane. It was painful...

Just to be safe bring a pump even a manual one, or be prepared to hand-express often.

[Tjej]

When I went away my DS was only nursing ~3x day and I was soooo glad I had my pump with.

Tjej

[chabarocks]

Thanks for the advice! I need to be reminded that even though it doesnt seem like he is getting a lot of milk, he might be and I should be prepared to pump if necessary.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I've been wondering this too. I have a 20 month old and she nurses once a day in the morning and will be gone from her for 2 mornings. I don't have a lot for milk though at this point in my pregnancy though. I think I'll bring a pump just in case I get uncomfortable.

[annethcz]

Just another vote for bringing along a pump (or knowing how to hand express). When I left my almost-2yo who was nursing once or twice a day, I became quite engorged after a day. I would've been in a world of hurt if I hadn't pumped.

FWIW, I was away for a week, and I didn't need to pump much towards the end of the week. My milk supply definitely decreased. But we resumed nursing when I returned without any problems- and she nursed until she was nearly 6