6 week old BF baby and leaving for 36 hours?

Marcy - posted on 02/12/2010

Make sure you wear pads in your bra. Murphy's Law you wil be right in the middle of a meeting and have a letdown. If she is already taking the bottle you are way ahead of the game. Just pump often, store it in the fridge and bring a little cooler with you so you can take it home with you. I have to admit that when I was away from my kiddo for a day or two at that age I used to take Tylenol PM at night because I wanted to go home more than anything and I needed the sleep. Now he is 3 1/2 and I am leaving next weekend for a girls weekend and I cannot wait. Its going to be tougher on you than your little one. Good luck.

Andrea - posted on 02/12/2010

I left my baby for a business trip for about the same amount of time. He was given one bottle a day before my trip, I pumped like crazy to build up a stock to use while I was gone, and pumped while on my trip. I took a manual pump because I was flying and not checking luggage. It worked just fine. Check airline rules to see if they will allow breast milk and in what quantities. Every drop is a drop of gold! As soon as I got home I put him on the breast and haven't had any problems since.

Jennifer - posted on 02/11/2010

are you planning to pump in advance so she can have breastmilk while you are gone? if so, you should plan about 24 - 32 ounces per day.

and defininately make sure you have a good double electric pump and pump ever 3 hours while you are away. if you don't own a double electric, then you can rent a hospital grade pump.

whe you get back, try to allow extra time for re-establishing breastfeeding. lots of skin on skin and lots of nursing. your supply may dip a bit, but with a little extra nursing, it will come right back up.

Amanda - posted on 02/11/2010

pump every 3-4 hours dont let up...bring something to remind you of baby itll help when you pump...baby will be fine enjoy the retreat and relax remember that when you get home the more relaxed you are the more relaxed baby will be.

Brittany - posted on 02/11/2010

Your baby is still super young, so in order to keep you milk supply up, you should try to pump no less than 8 times per day. Make sure you have a good double elcetric pump, ie; Ameda, madela. NO EVENFLO! It may be difficult, so make sure your baby is comfortable bottle feeding. Make sure you have a bottle nipple that supports breastfeeding, like a madela or a NUK. FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AT MIISBERRYKISS22@YAHOO.COM.

Good luck and God Bless.

Also, make sure she gets extra feedings when you so return.

And, do you have enough milk pumped and saved??

Samantha - posted on 02/11/2010

The first time i left my son while i was breastfeeding i was a nervous wreck too! you just have to make sure that you keep pumping as much as you can so you have enought to last her the time you are gone and you might need to get some formula just in case your supply runs low close to the end! you can do a 50-50 mixture so that she still gets the breast milk. and you are going to probably be sore towards the end of your trip and when she first latches on when you get home. but it is important for you to TRY to keep her schedule while you are away so that you keep the milk production regular and dont dry out on her when you get home.also if you can freeze the milk you pump while away so that you always have a stash if needed. trust me when i say she will be fine! if you are anything like me leaving detailed insturctions on her care and habits/likes/dislikes (etc) and having the person you will be leaving her with is around her to recognize her crys and her habits will also calm your nerves. i was lucky it was my mom who i was living with and she already knew alot about him. calling her and just having hercare taker put the phone up to her ear will also help. again...this is everything that helped me so i hope that it helps you. best of luck and keep me posted!!!

Melissa - posted on 02/11/2010

I would try to transition her to a bottle before you leave and practice pumping to store milk for her when you are gone. Hopefully, when you get back, she will be ready to get back into regular breastfeeding. Don't be nervous. You will get through it!