Oh balls I have to be away from DD for 12 hours for work.

[Thandeka]

Gah. Ages ago I stupidly agreed to do this training thing in Wales next week. DD will be 14weeks and is mostly breastfed (one occasionally two bottles formula a day too). We have had a massive massive battle to get breastfeeding established and suddenly in last couple of weeks it has got loads easier so I am now really worried am going to bugger up my supply.

I will have to leave the house at 8am and be back around 8ish in the evening. Trouble is am not sure there is going to be anywhere suitable to pump so I may have to pump in the loo and chuck it (grrrr). I plan on pumping at 12ish and 4ish which just about fits in with the training times, my boobs wont let me go longer than about 4 hours without pumping but dd usually feeds every 2-3 hours in the day but can't see me being able to fit that many pumpings in on the day, plus will be on a train/in taxis which aren't ideal pumping locations! Obviously will make sure boobs are empty just before I leave and empty them as soon as I get home too so they should be emptied approx every 4 hours during that time which is less than normal, will this one day away from DD for such a long time effect my supply?

Wish I could get out of it now!

Am also expressing as much as I can for DD while I am away. Trying to get about 600ml to leave her for those feeds and if she needs more formula is okay since she has it anyway.

Am going to miss her so much too! Sniff.

I am so interested in replies to this, will def be following this....

I feel your pain. Next month (when DS will be 15 weeks old) me and DH are going to a wedding but no kids are allowed

I'm also wondering about pumping, supply, length of time etc.

Btw, I'm not trying to hijack your thread, I'm just interested in the response.

Don't suppose there's any chance your DP/mum/someone could come with you and look after DD while you're training - that way you could pop back every few hours for BF...?

You'll be fine. My top tip is that you go to the loo regularly, and have a quick hand express into a wide mouthed bottle every time. You'll be amazed how much you can get out in a couple of minutes, and by popping in regularly (drink loads and you'll need to go anyway) you can really take the pressure off.

We live in London and training is in Wales- did think DD and my mum who is looking after her could come but logistics of it too difficult.

CMOTdibbler- great tip thanks- takes away the noise issue I was worried about- electric pump is noisy and in a cubicle people might think what the hell is going on! So will try and do that a fair bit (and that stuff for down the sink ) but then will also try and pump some stuff to keep- I am taking an icepack and coolbag and some actifeed bottles that fit on bottom of my medela swing. Going to try it with batteries in too to see how well it pumps incase i can't get near a plug.

Could you ask the training venue for somewhere to pump during your break ? I asked for one on a couple of occasions as 'I needed somewhere private to be for a while for medical reasons', and people were most helpful.
One of those rapid cooler wine sleeves is excellent for bringing a bottle of milk to cool very quickly if you have one.

I worked, travelled, and pumped for a year and a half, so got blase about expressing in all sorts of strange places. I think in a plane sink was probably the funniest though