How best to pump when you're not producing much milk?

[citymama]

DD2 is 23 months and close to weaning. Rather, I'm ready to wean, my body is ready to wean - but she is not. I'm producing a very small amount of milk, and she nurses about 3 times a day (she wants to nurse even more). I really don't know how much she's getting - maybe 5-8 oz a day? I never pump except when I'm away from her on a work trip, and the last time that happened was December.

I just got roped into a 3 day work trip next week. I don't know quite what to do. Carry my PIS and pump three times a day and hope for the best? I produce terribly when pumping anyway, and with this tiny amount of milk, I am sure it will be little to nothing and probably uncomfortable. Is it possible the milk will just stop producing with a 3 day absence, given how low the quantity is? Although I am ready to wean, I don't want it to happen by default - I don't want my work trip to cause me to stop producing milk, leading to forced weaning. I want it to happen when DD2 is ready as well, which I am guessing is some time in the next month or so, maybe right around 2.

Any advice about how to pump when supply is so low, and when the milk producing hormones have long since faded? Thanks!

Thanks!

[citymama]

...bump...can anyone help?

[sntm]

I did that when DS was around the same age. I pumped once or twice a day and dumped it during my trip and that was plenty. My impression is that the longer the breastfeeding has been established, the more resilient it is to changes.

[jennilynn]

Can you hand express enough to keep your supply up for three days? Or if you don't mind pumping, I would say it's okay to not get a lot of milk since your reason for pumping is to keep your supply while you're away, not to stockpile milk. I think DD will make up for lost time when you return.

[chottumommy]

I was on a work-trip when DS1 was 22 months. He used to nurse about 3 times - morning, before sleep and once or twice during the night. I pumped everyday twice and produced a miserly 4 oz (I was also pregnant), dumped the milk. However by the time I came back DS1 didnot want to nurse or more like he nursed for a minute or two for comfort. I finally decided to wean him and made DH sleep with him at night for a week.

I still produced milk (not sure how much) all the way through the pregnancy.

[DrSally]

I went away for 2 days when ds was 18 months and nursing 7 times a day. Past 1 yeAr, I can't get a let down with the pump, nothing. So, i hand expressed in the shower 1x day, and that was enough to relieve any discomfort. I still had milk when i got back, and continued to nurse until he was 3 yo. I think at that age, you get less engorged from missing feedings, and your supply is more resilient, like pp said.