4 day seperation from 12 month old nursling---can we survive??

[x95stocchier]

I am looking for some advice here.  I have to be away from my 12 mo old nursing for 4 days, and I didn't really have any intention of weaning.  Can our nursing relationship survive this?

Here's the details:
she has never had a bottle, but she takes sippy of water well
I DO have a good breast pump
I have about 4 weeks before I leave
She'll be in the hands of a good/experienced Grandma
We've not started cows milk, and I wasn't planning to b/c she has reflux and I'm concerned it might be irritating...was originally planning to delay introduction in favor of bm
She is now nursing 3X/day
We're planning to start ASAP offering ebm in a sippy
(I nursed DS to 18 mos, and he got some bottles of ebm early on, but we never did with DD)

Here's my questions:
should we feed her from the cup like we would a bottle (ie sit and hold her cradled with the cup) or let her do it herself like with water?
How do I know how much ebm she'll need at a feed?
When should I pump so that I get a lot of milk to freeze but don't deprive her daily milk intake for that day?
How much time do I need (ie weeks) to get enough supply to last 4 days (really it's only 10 feedings, but I should plan on a few extras just in case...)
Should I go ahead and start trying some cows milk in there for at least one of the feedings?
What's the likelihood that she will happily go back to breast when I come home?

Thanks for any advice or experience!

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Hi there - I think it's very doable. 
I'd be inclined at her age to let her hold the cup herself (just put small amounts in at a time if it's spillable). 

Give her what you've got!  You're not going to have tons of EBM, I suspect, so I'd aim for around 4-6 oz at a time. At that age, my lo's would take about 5 or 6 of EBM from a sippy (DD1 never had bottles).

Pump first thing in the morning after her morning feed.  You can also try pumping after her last feed of the evening (though you might not get much to start). If you really want to do extra, you can pump about an hour after her daytime feeds too - if you do it at the same time each day, you might start to notice your output increase. 

As for how long - it really depends on your supply. 

If you want to avoid cow's milk, I'd go with whatever EBM you can produce, water, and make sure her diet is varied enough - some kids never drink cow's milk. 

No way to know if you can return to BF after, but for only 4 days, I'd say the chances are pretty good.  You might have to use some extra encouragement at first, but I'd be hopeful!

Good luck!

[jana224]

Hi! 
I just went through this... away for 3 days from EBF baby, who was 7 months at the time.  Though I had been pumping a bottle a day for her whole life and she was used to a bottle here there, so we didn't have those issues.

For me, pumping first thing in the morning on one side while DD feeds on the other works best. 

You might try pumping a little extra and giving her one feed every few days in the cup to get her well used to it.  Maybe send a bottle with the cup, just in case.  I would think 6 ounces should be plenty. 

If, for any reason, you can't get enough BM for every feed, cow's milk in a cup or even formula, shouldn't be too big a problem given your short time away.  I sent DD with a package of formula just in case she went through all the milk.  Really though, sending 1-2 extra feedings of milk should be plenty.

When you return, just put her to the breast frequently and in a quiet spot to get her back into it.... I'm sure she'll be thrilled to have it back!
Best of luck!
Jana

[x95stocchier]

Hi!  Thanks for all the advice & support!     I'm pretty nervous about it, as you can tell!

I used to pump one side and feed the other with DS but he was only 2-3 mos at the time.  I can't imagine DD having enough focus to nurse while I'm pumping, lol!  I will try though, because you never know till you try.  Also Erin, thanks for mentioning that after consistantly doing it at the same time, I'll prob notice an increase in output.  I hadn't thought of that and it will give me motivation to keep trying even if I don't get much the first several days.

I'm so glad to hear others have done it and succeeded.  I hate to see the relationship end over this.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Remember too that dry pumping (pumping even when you see NO output) works to stimulate your supply at that time too.

[x95stocchier]

okay, well good news.  I pumped at 10 pm last night (when I finally got to sit down and do it!) and I got 4 oz!  I was really encouraged!  And this AM I gave it to her in a sippy, and after a very minor fuss, she drank it all!  HOORAY!  That was her first milk that came anywhere other than a breast.  I'm so relieved.  She did lose a lot out of her mouth while drinking though.  I was using a hard spout cup (since I wanted to use something different than her soft water cup).  Do you think I should try a softer spout cup, or will she get the hang of it with practice?

Also, while I'm away, should I pump 3X per day  at the times that I normally nurse(or as close to it as I can come)?

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

WOW!  4 oz is GREAT!  She'll probably get used to the hard spout soon enough.  With a soft spout, sometimes I find they mess around more and spill a bunch anyway. Yes, try to pump at your nursing times or an approximation if you can - it'll make it easier when you get back.