Not nursing for a day will affect milk supply?

Hi,
I'm a lurker, but I really need some input. I need to go away from DD (16 months old) this weekend for a family emergency. The thing is, she's still nursing, although definitely not as much as when she was an infant. However, she nurses at least 3-4 times at night and 2-3 times during the day (although the day feedings tend to be for comfort). I wanted to know whether or not being away from her for 30 hours or so will affect my milk supply? Will I need to bring a pump to maintain my supply? Since I won't be gone for too long, I'd rather be able to go w/o a pump, since I'll be flying.

TIA!
-- YounHie

[Momof3Labs]

Personally, I'd still bring a pump since you could run into flight problems and be gone a lot longer than 30 hours. But you might not need the pump at all. I'm not sure though - my 18 month old only nurses 2x a day, not 5-7x a day, so maybe you will get engorged and want the pump with you.

[lmintzer]

If you don't want to drag a large pump, what about a small good hand pump like the Avent Isis? I have friends who have used this as their only pump and have found it quite good.

[Rachels]

I agree-- I'd take the pump. You could take an Isis if you don't want to lug something heavy. But it will take more than a day away from your toddler to do serious damage to your milk supply. You should be okay.

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

I would bring the pump. Not sure about a 16 month old, as DS is 7 mo. , but when we went away for the day, my milk still came in like clockwork, full force. It became quite uncomfortable for me, it was a comfort/engorgement issue to bring my pump, rather than a supply issue. The times I've gone and haven't had the pump, I wished I had brought it.
-Erica

[momma_boo]

I'd suggest you take a handpump with you. Just for your own comfort. You'll probably get quite engorged being away from her.

If she's nursing that often, definitely take something like an ISIS, to relieve engorgement.

Nita
mom to Neel, January 2003
dog mom to a cocker and a PWD

I would definitely take the pump. Not only for your milk supply, but you might get a painful blocked duct. That milk needs to be released. I got a blocked duct when my son was 2 1/2 mos old, and I feel like I got it bec I skipped a nursing session one night to babysit my nephews. I came home and was really sore. By the next morning I was in a ton of pain. I ended up needing medicine to clear it up.

Wow,
Thanks everyone! I'll take a pump; I've had a plugged duct before, and I don't want to go through that again!

Again, thanks!!!
-- YounHie