Going away for 4 nights without DS

[aisling]

Hi all I have a few queries please,

I will be going on holiday for 4 nights without my 9 month old DS.     I currently BF in the a.m, before his p.m nap and also at bed.  Sometimes only 2x a day.  I will be pumping obviously whilst away.  Should I do it 2x a day?  My main concern is that DS being at this age and starting to lose interst in BF'ing (so much more fun things to be doing!) that when I return he may not want boobs anymore.   
What is all your experiences?  DH says I am over-reacting.

BTW DS has no trouble with bottles or sippy cups. (can't believe that it was a problem when he was 5 months old! My, times change with these little ones!)

TIA

Aisling x

[jbepko]

I guess lots of questions from us-
1) Do you have to leave LO...or do you want to leave LO? A know that a night away on Mother's Day was a blessing for me. But....if you  aren't away..then you don't have to worry about supply/nursing, etc.
2) Are you used to pumping and what type of pump do you have?
3) Do you have a freezer stash?
4) How are you prepping for time away? (pumping in advance?)
5) Most babies don't self-wean at less than a year, so depending on how you manage absence you can pick up nursings when you return.
6) The general rule of thumb for pumping away while away from baby to maintain supply is every three hours while awake (that can be hard while on vacation) but that's also for full-time nursing moms
7) What do you REALLY want to happen and what are you OK with if it does happen----that's the key---there are a ton of different solutions.

[aisling]

Lots of answers from me-
1)   Mixed feelings of course.  Holiday booked a year ago.  Looking forward to the break, but will miss the little one naturally. 
2)   I have an Avent pump.  I hardly pump, I hardly ever leave!
3)   Yes and DS will take formula (and does) as well
4)   NO! I better start
5)   PHEW!
6)   9 month DS nurses in the a.m and p.m only and sometimes before his nap.  He is a large baby-22lbs and started solids and 6 months and now eats 3x day plus snacks.  Friends told me that if I pumped 3x a day I would be fine. (In their experience)
7)   I REALLY want to come home and resume normal.  I will not be OK if DS won’t BF anymore

TIA

[Samuel's mum]

You've been given lots of good advice - I definitely agree that 2x a day pumping will probably not be sufficient - but I think it's worth me sharing the fact that  some babies do struggle to get back into nursing after a break. It's something I've seen discussed on other sites. It isn't really considered 'self-weaning' but is a form of nipple confusion/ nursing strike. You might find your LO picks up no problem or you might some some breast refusal. If this happens treat it as a nursing strike - there are various things you can try and do to help:

http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/strike.html
http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/bf6.asp

It is also worth mentioning that some strikes last for a while. It's usually 2-4 days but there have been some mammoth ones. I'm not saying this will happen to you but going away is the sort of thing that does trigger them. I would just be a little bit prepared incase it does happen and come back to us or phone a helpline if you need to.

I would personally say to your DH that you are not overreacting. You are going to have a lovely time away but he will need to understand you may have feelings about being away from your LO and a little sensitivity is called for!!!!

Can I also suggest that you have one day and night away as a 'trial run' before the full 4 nights if you haven't already done that? I haven't been away from Sam overnight yet and I'd know I'd want to practise that before leaving for longer.

[aisling]

Thanks mods.  In all fairness, DH is very supportive and sensitive.  He is a very optimistic person and thinks everything in life will be fine and I do tend to over worry and dramatize things!  Samuel's Mum many thanks for confirming my concerns and I now feel better prepared to deal with any "fallout" (if any) upon my return.  I will try to stay positive and hope DS will be happy to have his bm when I am back. 

Any Mum's out there gone away for 3-4 days from their little one?  How was your experience?  TIA

Aisling.

[aisling]

Hi all,

Thought I would post an update on my holiday away from my DS.

I pumped 3x a day no problem. I decided instead of leaving in the morning really early to come home on the last day, to leave the night before and I arrived home at 1am. I really wanted to be there for DS's 7am feed, as it is his best and a really specail time for us in the morning.  (especially when he doesn't wake before 7am!  ) I went into his room that morning at 7am.   He had the biggest smile and when I brought him down on to the futon in his room to feed him laying down, (the only way he will feed now!) he did his excited breathing and little laugh at the site of my boobs!  I had tears in my eyes and he fed and acted like I was never gone, but also like it is good to have you back Mum IYKWIM?!  Anyway, I am so happy it all worked out.  Apparently DH said DS was an angel and also complimented me on the routine (which he followed to a “T” thankfully) and said: “It really works all this BW’ing doesn't it?!”

Hope my experience helps out others and is as successful.  Aisling x

[RachelC]

I am so glad that all worked out and Nello remembered what to do!  Congrats on the time away and way to go DH for understanding BW and that it truely works!

[Samuel's mum]

Great news which brought a  to my eye.
So cute.