I am nursing my 4th baby, she is almost 3 months, and next month we will be taking a trip and going to Disneyland. My Aunt (thankfully) offered to keep the baby so my dh and other daughters can really enjoy the day, but I am worried about the nursing aspect. I have a double pump, but who wants to lug that around Disney??? Any advice?

This is the first child I have felt successful nursing and I am worried this really fun trip might mess with my milk supply.

you will HAVE to pump at least a couple times.

you will be so unbelievably engorged and its painful. You could run the risk of getting a clogged duct (and you DO NOT want that) and it COULD mess with your supply.

I really really really recommend taking the pump and doing it. make sure you have a place to store the milk (I think room temp is ok for up to 10 hours).

you could always call your hospital and see if they have a lactation consultant to talk to or contact your local la leche league for advice.

but I'm pretty certain that they will all agree...pump.

I agree that I will have to pump...but do you have any suggestions for making it less intrusive? I know that sounds selfish, and I want to continue nursing, but a "pumping break" every 2-3 hours plus lugging a leather pump/suitcase in addition to all our other gear sounds frustrating. Anyone have a suggestion for a smaller (inexpensive) type of pump? I'll have a small cooler with for snacks at the park (we're tyring to keep that experience as inexpensive as Disney can be as well!) to store the milk.

Thanks for the advice!

Disneyland bathrooms when I went (July '07) were really very clean.
I believe they have a sitting station, you can perhaps pump there... or you will probably be leaking all over the place.
I used to wear halves of maxi pads on my breasts instead of regular breast pads.
Disneyland is waaay fun!

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you may not have to pump that often...but I woudln't go more than 4 or 5 hours while at the park. I've never been to disneyland so I have no idea what situation you will be in. you could try a manual pump, avent makes a nice small one that has a purse like carry case. and pumps like the Medela all come with the maunal attachment as well.

the small park we have is Kings Island. I know there you can rent a locker and/or you can get your hand stamped to go the car and back...but I imagine disney is much much much much bigger and those may not be feasable options.

My medela pump is like a backpack.


and its not selfish to want some time away from the baby or pumping. totally normal and I hope you find a great solution for you and that you have a great time.

Here is what I would do. Pump in the morning and then head to the park. Go back to hotel room around lunch and pump. It's a good time for everyone to take a rest/nap for a couple of hours. Then pump again around dinner and the again before you go to sleep at night.

I agree with the others..if you don't pump you will get engorged, leak all over the park, and your supply will start to diminish.

I also agree, it won't be the most convenient thing for you...but a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do.

On a side note...does your baby take well to a bottle? I would take a couple weeks and introduce your baby to the bottle once or twice a day before you go.

I wonder if Disneyland has family bathrooms or a place for nursing moms in the park? I bet you can call their customer service line and ask. I bet they have something as they are pretty accommodating for all their guests.

Sandra

I would just buy a cheap manual pump and pump when absolutely needed due to engorgement. Just dump the milk rather than trying to keep it cool. You shouldn't have to pump more than a couple quick times. One day off wouldn't mess up your supply.

Thanks Ladies...

this is my first day to the site and I have been trying to find a solution to this issue for weeks...thanks for helping and for making me feel welcomed!

Although I have a Medela electric pump, I use my Avent manual pump more - it's much smaller and it's so easy to use. Even if your supply goes down a little, you won't be away long enough for it to be permanent, and baby will be SO happy to see you (although there may be a little pouting at first). Your supply will come right back.

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I don't know the layout of Disney too well since I have not been there in a long time, but you could see about putting your pump in a locker near some place you might get lunch. Or, if you have your car you could keep it in your car and go to your car to pump at lunch time too. I did that once. I just had a plug that would fit in the lighter unit in our car and then I plugged my Medela pump into t hat. I just put a coat over the top of me so that nobody would notice what I was doing.

I agree that you must pump. When my baby was 6 weeks old, I was in my sisters wedding and did not pump for like 4-5 hours and my boobs hurt soooo bad!!!
Good luck, it is complicated sometimes, but totally worth it!