I am nursing my 2 month old son. My husband and i want to take our daughter to disney on ice tomorrow for her 5th birthday. I have enough milk pumped to leave for my son, but I will be gone for about six hours and will miss at least one, maybe 2 feedings. I had a really hard time getting my milk supply established in the beginning, if I miss those feedings will that affect my supply?
2007-02-24 07:07:57 · 8 answers · asked by tayshea143 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I thought about bringing him, but it will loud and cold, and there will be alot of people there, dont think its a great place for a newborn, plus I want my daughter to have her father and I to herself for a special day
2007-02-24 07:23:25 · update #1
Yes it will but don't worry you will just need to work on building it up again. to give you some interesting info a woman that has never had a baby can start producing milk if suckled enough so a couple of feeds should not harm too much. breastfeeding is both wonderful and very hard work but go and enjoy yourself.i am a breastfeeding counselor so if you need any help then ask me directly on this sight.
2007-02-24 07:17:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 8 weeks, your son has just barely established his breastfeeding relationship with you and your body has just begun to really adjust to your son's needs. While you certainly CAN leave your baby behind, it is definitely in his best interest to bring him with you. He can be kept very warm and snuggly in a baby carrier (I recommend the Maya Wrap for nursing), where he can nurse at will privately without drawing any attention to him. One of the great things about breastfeeding is that you CAN bring babies most anywhere you go, without having to lug around bottles, nipples, formula, etc etc etc... It would help to keep up your supply and not confuse your body or your baby (by giving him a bottle) and I really don't think your daughter will be worse off by having her new little brother there to celebrate her birthday. You could try to tell her that her little brother is so excited that it's her birthday! Would you send your daughter to a babysitter's for your son's first birthday? Seems kind of silly to leave the new baby out of the family time just because he is young.
In any case, it's your decision. If you decide to leave him with a sitter and introduce bottles at this age, make sure you leave MORE than enough breastmilk for him. He may not even want to take a bottle and he may decide not to eat until you get home. Your sitter may have a crying baby the entire time... or maybe not. Your body will store up the milk from the missed feedings, causing engorgement, unless you pump at least at each feeding time. And since a pump isn't able to extract milk as efficiently as a baby can, your body will probably think that your baby needs less and therefore produce less, and when you get home you will have to work to increase your supply again, by nursing as often as possible. At this stage in breastfeeding, your body is very sensitive to the changes in eating patterns of your baby. Also, keep in mind that your baby is at the age of one of the biggest growth spurts yet -- 6-8 weeks. This means that if he hasn't already, he is going to start needing to eat a lot more than usual, and being separated from your baby could prevent your body from getting the nursing cues from your baby to stimulate increased supply for his increased needs.
Consider the possibilities and all of your options, and decide what is best for you. I hope I gave you enough information to help you, whatever you decide to do.
2007-02-24 09:10:23 · answer #2 · answered by calliope_13731 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good idea above about pumping at least once while you're gone. Personally, I chose not to leave the little ones behind when they were that tiny. A sling or other baby carrier kept them cozy and content almost all of the time. Not judging, just offerring this as a possible solution....
2007-02-24 07:16:14 · answer #3 · answered by LaundryGirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that if you are going to leave him for that long that you will need to take a pump with you. It is best to pump during his normal feeding times, but pump at least once for sure.
Make sure that you leave enough breastmilk for him and also make sure that he will take a bottle before you go.
2007-02-24 08:30:59 · answer #4 · answered by EMT_and_Mom_to1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will affect your supply a little but it will go back to normal again after a few days.
Why don't you take a pump with you and make a pit stop halfway through and pump in the car or something?
2007-02-24 07:11:41 · answer #5 · answered by cigaro19 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
With any luck you'll be a bit fuller by the end of your outing. During intermission pump if you can. Is there anyway you can take baby with you? It shouldn't make too much differance though.
2007-02-24 07:16:24 · answer #6 · answered by santobugito 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sincere advice?Take the little one with you and still make your daughter feel its her special day by taking turns with your husband to give her full attention.
Cheers!
2007-02-24 08:25:04 · answer #7 · answered by ytee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no by all means you will not effect your "supply" if anything it will build a little beside stop it with the guilt trip you and the first child need some quality time away from the baby it will be okay
2007-02-24 07:28:50 · answer #8 · answered by lilladyt34 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋