Help?!! I've asked recently about leaving bf baby behind while going away for five days on a business trip. Baby takes bottle and formula like a champ so no worries there and I have pumped enough extra milk so she will have breast milk while I am away. I also have a breast pump and will have no problems pumping every 2 to 3 hours entire time I am gone to keep up milk........Here is my problem: Today baby started cluster feeding she has been at me for 7 hours. When not nursing she is screaming hungry. I think she has hit her 3 month growth spurt and is feeding more to build up my milk. Problem is that it is saturday and I am leaving Monday. How long will this build up nursing last? If it goes beyond monday will I be able to catch up when I get back on friday? I am very worried about accidentally weaning her early and having enough milk for her.
2006-12-02 15:45:53 · 6 answers · asked by Krista H 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
is there any way that you can cancel the trip. if you are truly concerned about it then you probably consider not going if it is possible.
2006-12-02 15:52:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it takes about one to two days after they begin cluster feeding for your supply to respond completely, and the increased urge to nurse from a growth spurt can last anywhere from 2 days to a week. I doubt she'll wean this young, but you will miss most of the growth spurt, and she'll miss all the milk she worked to bring in (unless you can send it home somehow?). Your milk supply should be fine while you're away as long as you keep pumping.
LIke the other responder, I too wish it were possible for you to postpone. But moms & babies have gotten through much worse than a missed growth spurt, you guys will be fine! The real shame is that you'll be away for so many night but STILL won't get a full night's sleep for all the pumping . . . lol
2006-12-03 00:14:08 · answer #2 · answered by silverkitte1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course you can do it. Just pump at regular feeding times w/ a good pump... and your body will adjust again when you get back.
Establishing and maintaining milk supply when baby is not nursing tips
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/maintainsupply-pump.html
Don't stress to much & if you get engorged while your on your trip take a hot shower.. it will relieve the pressure enough for you to be able to pump.
As for baby conerns... provided baby will take a bottle then you should be ok. It might be a stuggle to switch back to breast when you get back.. just be diligent. PPoster is right, a baby younger than 4 months is usually pretty flexable.
The joys of motherhood!
can I also suggset to leave a shirt or two that smell like you at home just in case baby gets seperation anxiety.
Good Luck on your trip.
2006-12-03 00:12:28 · answer #3 · answered by Lady in Pink 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would try to find a way to take her along on the trip. Can Grandma or Dad or someone come along to watch her? If it were me, I would be seriously worried about leaving a 3 mos old for that long. The odds of her being weaned after 5 whole day of not nursing are very high.
2006-12-03 16:28:16 · answer #4 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just be her own personal feeding bag - feed on demand and offer yourself instead of a soother if you use one. Let her suckle longer than you normally do (Ie, if she falls asleep with you in her mouth still).
Your supply should be on its way up by the time you head out. When you get back from your trip, act like a feedbag once again and your supply should work itself out. Pump every 2-3 hours as you planned while you're away.
Kudos mama! Keep up the great work :D
2006-12-03 00:21:55 · answer #5 · answered by Jocelyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you leave plenty of milk behind for her and pump yourself as frequently as she was feeding, you should be fine.
Thanks for being such a concerned mother! Other mommys are like "should I use powedered formula or the stuff that comes in a carton?"
2006-12-02 23:57:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋