My son is now 16 months and I am starting to contemplate having some time away from him. I have never spent more than an evening away from him before. We are still nursing. When he is about 18 months I was thinking of going away without him for 2 days. I am no longer pumping and although we nurse on demand (about 6 times a day, sometimes more, sometimes less) I don't think I have much milk left for him.
Anyway, having never been away from him before I want to know if I will need to pump in the two days we are apart? Also, I really don't want him to wean because I am not with him. Can he wean in this short amount of time?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Anyway, having never been away from him before I want to know if I will need to pump in the two days we are apart? Also, I really don't want him to wean because I am not with him. Can he wean in this short amount of time?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Time Away from my Son: Do I Nead to Pump and Will it Cause Him to Wean?
Tue, June 10, 2008 - 2:18 PMI don't have any experience with this, but my intuition would say to pump just in case he is REALLY needing or wanting mommy's milk. That's what I would do.
Good job for doing it for so long! My son is only 9 months, and I am aiming to bf until he is a year, I hope! I love doing it most of the time, but I do look forward to not doing it also. But I'm sure it will be difficult when that day comes.
Good luck to you!
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Re: Time Away from my Son: Do I Nead to Pump and Will it Cause Him to Wean?
Tue, June 10, 2008 - 9:51 PMIt sounds like he's had bottles of your pumped milk before, right? If that's the case, I think he'll probably be fine while you're away (meaning, he'll go back to the source when you're reunited). And, if you're anything like me, you'll *need* to pump while you're away from him.
Does he drink anything else other than your breast milk? Once Max figured out how much he liked drinking out of a cup, he lost all interest in my milk. And since i'd lost interest in pumping, we weaned. He was just about 17 months then. It's been a few weeks, and we're doing well. He still sometimes approaches my breast with his mouth open. Right before he gets to my nipple, he giggles and closes his mouth. Silly boy. I let him know that it's still there if he wants it, but he doesn't seem to. -
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Re: Time Away from my Son: Do I Nead to Pump and Will it Cause Him to Wean?
Wed, June 11, 2008 - 7:46 AMI haven't been away from my son overnight, but we've definitely hit the stage where i don't pump when i'm away, even on those horrendous 6am to 10pm days (luckily not too often).
I think no one can predict how *your* body will respond. I know that even at 24 months, when we haven't nursed for 12 hrs i start to feel really full and uncomfortable. Some mama's will have to pump to relieve the pressure, others have the opposite response and start to dry up. I think if you don't intend to wean at that time, it'd be safest to simply bring a small hand pump and go ahead and do it twice a day or so. Even if he doesn't get to drink the milk you express, it may be the nudge your body needs to let it know you're *not* trying to dry up. And who knows, you may need to pump to keep yourself comfortable too.
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Re: Time Away from my Son: Do I Nead to Pump and Will it Cause Him to Wean?
Tue, June 17, 2008 - 1:27 AMDefinitely plan to pump when you're apart - engorgement is NO fun at all and you're probably making more than you think you are.
I don't know your child but I would guess that he'd happy nurse again the moment you got home. What a wonderful way to reconnect! :) -
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Re: Time Away from my Son: Do I Nead to Pump and Will it Cause Him to Wean?
Thu, June 19, 2008 - 8:38 AMplus being severely uncomfortable, engorgement puts you at more risk for mastitis problems. As my lactation lady once said, PUMP FOR YOUR LIFE!!! I had stopped pumping to try and shock my body out of the oversupply issues I had going, and it didn't work. I looked like Pam Anderson and I hurt like crazy. I was so ballooned that my babe couldn't latch. It was kinda gross and totally an experience I don't suggest. At least take your pump so that you have the option open..
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