our road trip dilema

[rr1007]

we are taking a 22 hour (2 days) roatrip to L.a. charlotte is almost 4 weeks and eat every 3 hours. so what we were thinking, is that instead of stopping every 3 hourse to feed her for 30 min, that i could feed her ebm every other time. that way our 2 day trip doesn't turn into 3!

so my question is...how do i go about doing this and how much should i pump for a feed? should i start now?

we leave on thurs the 1st

[lyndsy_p]

Hi, I took a 13hr road trip when my LO was 12 weeks....I was thinking I could do the EBM thing too, but you should stop so that you can burp her.  My DH just stopped at a turn off, I would feed and change her, then we'd be off again. It was a good chance for us to stretch our legs too.

HTH
Lyndsy

[First Time Mom]

Good point on the burping!

Sorry I can't answer on the pumping question as I never pumped in my 18 months of bfing but I do have to ask about your supply, as your lo is almost 4 weeks it's important to bf to establish your supply. I would consider stopping (unless you plan on pumping in the car) so that you don't get engorged by missing feeds.

[Samuel's mum]

I would personally say it's worth stopping.
At her age your supply is still a bit vulnerable as it's not yet fully established/settled and to organise the extra pumping in advance could put it out of whack.
Not to mention the hassle of storage and bottle cleaning and sterilising.
AND the reduced demand on your breasts/supply during the trip possible having an impact on your supply. Whenever a mother skips a feed and her breast remain engorged she is sending signals that milk production needs to slow down - not a message you want to be sending at this point.
Yes, 3 days instead of 2 sounds a hassle but so does x number of hours of pumping and then an effect on your supply which could impact on your trip.

[15milner]

Personally, I would stop to feed rather than, as Emma says, the hassle of pumping, sterilising etc.   Even if you give ebm, you are going to have to stop to feed - bf will be easier.  If you give a bottle of ebf - when will you be doing the pumping.

The first 6 weeks or so of feeding is crucial to the breastfeeding relationship and establishing your supply and pumping is not as effective as putting baby to the breast. 

Also too, by essentially skipping an actual bf to give ebf etc you are possibly setting yourself up for more than just future supply issues, but potentially mastitis etc.

Have a great trip.

Alex

[yaya]

same as PP! expressing is a pain! much easier to just stop quickly and BF!

[EllenS]

Personally, I'd fly.  Even if we had to go into debt, I wouldn't drive 2 days with a tiny newborn.  Heck, I woudn't do it now, with my lo 9 months. 

But then I hate car trips anyway, so I'm not the right person to ask.

[Jocasta]

It wasn't as far but I had to travel quite a bit when my Nan was ill in hospital (6hr round trip).  Sophie was feeding every two hours at the time and it was awkward but much nicer to stop and feed her en route. 

It has to be said though that Sophie fed for up to an hour at the time so stopping really did increase the length of the journey BUT, I'd have much rather that than had to pump etc.

If you do end up going down the ebm route, I'd highly recommend you have your pump with you and pump a full feed's worth of milk just before/just after her feed to maintain your supply - it's so fragile in those early weeks.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your trip!