For breastfeeding moms, how did your 12-13 month old nursling handle vacation?

Question

We will be attending a week-long outdoor music festival when my daugher is 12.5 months old. She currently is 11.5 months and nurses 15-25 times daily. We will have a nice quiet place to go nurse but I'm still a little worried about the effect it might have on our nursing relationship. She did have one ten-day nursing strike when she was ten months old but that was due to a sore throat. I'm a worry-wart LOL, any experiences you can share would be appreciated.

Some of you people are oblivious. She eats three meals a day, snacks, and drinks from a cup! She nurses for snacks and for comfort.

Answer 1

good god people...she didn't ask for criticism, you're not even giving any insight to her question. i have a 12 month old who is also breastfed on demand and i'm sure she nurses just as often as this mum's babe. no she is not overweight - my baby (she's about 20 lbs) and she is perfectly healthy in every way. she has a great appetite and interest for "real food" as one person called it and also eats 3 balanced meals a day plus snacks and juice, by the way, breastmilk is also real food to babies, much more real than the processed fake animal's milk. if mother and baby are both wanting to continue nursing, then by all means, that is what's best for them. now, to mum - you know what i've noticed - when i'm out & about with my little one, and offer her other things when we're on the go, she goes for that just because she's distracted and busy, then when it's time for some quiet time, certainly find your quiet nursing spot and i'm sure you'll both enjoy the relaxing break. like another mom mentioned, slings are great - couldn't have lived without mine. i don't think you have to even worry about your nursing relationship - if you're still enjoying it, she probably will too. my son was older than that when i was hospitalized and away from him for a week and as soon as i came home, the first thing he wanted to do was nurse, and we went on again for awhile after that. good luck, all the best, and pay no attention to any snide remarks.

NOTE: La Leche League recommends that the best method of weaning is to not offer but not turn her down if she asks and the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for up to 2 yrs and beyond

Answer 2

For those not familiar with nursing patterns, it is not at all unusual for year old babies to nurse this much. They are nursing for food, yes, but also for comfort.

Most women who practice this kind of mothering actually have no idea how often their babies nurse. How many times a day do you touch your chin or your arm? You never even think about it.

It will probably be much easier for you to go to the music festival with your nursing baby than if you were formula feeding.

You will not have to worry about taking enough formula with you, finding a clean water supply or keeping the formula cool enough in the heat.
Your milk will help to protect your baby against stray germs from the crowds.
The comfort and familiarity and closeness of nursing will help her deal with the stress of being in a strange place. When she is tired, she will fall asleep, safe in your arms, because you are her anchor.

Go and enjoy the festival! I am sure you will all have a great time!

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about it affecting your relationship, I'm sure she'll cope if you're more than busy during the day and your supply works on a demand basis.
However, 15-25 times a day is ALOT, like people say I hope she's on solids or you are seriously affecting her healthwise as milk cannot provide ALL the nutrients she needs.
DO NOT LISTEN TO THE REPLY TO GIVE HER FORMULA
Breast milk is the most important thing you can give her up until she is 12 months and is so much more healthy than processed cow's milk. YUCK!
Plus, I am sure she's not over weight, as breastfed babies take what they want, they are not forced with a bottle. It is almost impossible to overfeed a breastfed baby.
However, like I say 15-25 times a day is too much, she must be using you for comfort or she's not getting enough from her solids.

Answer 4

Take a sling with you and nurse her wherever you are at. The sling will help to minimize distractions and make it easier to get around with her while you are out enjoying your vacation.

I've vacationed with nurslings of various ages.....5 months, 16 months, 29 months.....it made no real difference to them.

beachchick -
What in the heck is convenient about lugging around a pump and bottles while you are on vacation? The breast is always there, the milk is always the right temperature and it's always ready for baby.

PEOPLE -
NOWHERE in her question did she say she wanted to wean or give formula. The question was "For breastfeeding moms, how did your 12-13 month old nursling handle vacation? " Sounds like she wants to know from bfing moms what vacationing with a nursling was like.

Answer 5

My 12 month old and I have just done two fairly long trips. I had no trouble nursing her. I just made a point to try to stay on our normal schedule. My daughter nurses about 6 times a day, and is fairly regular about when she wants to eat. I made sure to giving her the option to nurse at her normal times. This not only helped her with eating, but with nap times and bed times. We are about to leave again, and I anticipate little or no trouble. Best of luck!

Answer 6

I sure hope she's eating finger foods at this point... I know you want her to nurse, but it sounds like she isn't getting enough 15-25 times a day is excessive. Best wishes

Answer 7

good god if she is nurcing that much she is not getting enough to eat try giving her a bottle and formula.. at 11.5 months she should be eating real food also. are u giving her food. the easyest way to get her used to it is ump and give it to her in a cu or bottle and give her real food also. cause a baby her age should not be eating 15-25 times a day she will get way over weight. she is probably not getting enought food when she feeds u need to take her to the doctor and ask them about that. about ur baby brestfeeding and eating like 15-25 times a day. my son is 2 months and eats maybe 4-5 botles aday. and my 15 month ld son drinks 2-3 bottles of milk aday and eat reall food

Answer 8

I began the weaning process at eleven months cold-turkey because when you can't teach your daughter not to clench her teeth as tightly as possible, flip upside down and steamroll you while trying to forcibly rip your mammary glands from your chest, it isn't worth it. Yours is old enough she'll do just fine. Mine did, although she was a little angry with me for a bit. She still loves me, though, and I believe has forgotten about the Unfortunate Weaning Incident.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

be thankful you arent nursing a 25 year old