EBF baby has to take formula for 3 days, what to expect?

[Booboostoo]

Due to unavoidable family issues I will have to be away from my four month old DD for 3 days (can't take her with me). She is ebf but I can't express nowhere near enough for 3 days. If she were to take formula for three days what would happen? Would her stomach be upset? Would she be OK going back to the breast? She takes the bottle find for expressed milk although she only has this on rare ocassions (after 3 months it became so difficult to express I gave up on it a bit).

[lilham]

If she will take the formula she will be fine. Formula isn't poison so don't worry about it. However they do taste different so she might turn her nose up on it

[petitdonkey]

I used a cranial osteopath who had tried all of the formula milks (yes really!! But he used to advise on this sort of thing all the time) and he maintained that Hipp Organic was the one that tasted the most like breast.

Try not to worry, she will be fine

[TheProvincialLady]

I would be more worried about the upset that being away from you will cause TBH. I am sure that if she is hungry she will take the formula even if she is resistant at first and it won't do her any harm, probably not even a stomach upset. But is there really no way you can taker her with you? Three days will probably feel like a long time to both of you if you are EBF.

[TheProvincialLady]

As to going back to BF...she probably will but if she does resist at first, just gently offer as much as you can and don't put any pressure on. Follow the advice on Kellymom for a nursing strike.

[MigGril]

Can you really not take her, there are very few situations where you couldn't have a precrawling baby they are very protable. Could someone not come with you.

My though is that she may not like the tast of formula so you need to try this now to see if she will take it first. Formula is harder for baby's to digest so you will see a change in her nappies, you don't know if it'll upset her stomach untill you try but most babies tolerate formula well. Then you will need to express while you are not there to avoid engroment and possibly mastites as being away from a fully BF baby for that long will make you quit soure otherwise.

It's hard to tell about going back to the breast after but as she's been BF by you for 4months and you woun't be the one giving the bottle's the chances are you woun't have a problem on that side.

Can you really not take her though as expressing while your not there is going to be a pain for you.

[lagrandissima]

If you can't express enough for the time you're away, you could ask your care giver to cut the formula 50:50 with some frozen/refrigerated breast milk. That might take the edge off the formula taste, and also make it easier for your LO to get back into the taste of your own milk when you get back.

And ask the previous poster has said, don't forget your own breast pump - for comfort but also to ensure your production doesn't drop whilst you are away. If you have access to a fridge or freezer whilst you are away, or even a coolbox you might be able to store some of this milk and bring in back with you.

HTH.

[Booboostoo]

It's a bit of a nightmare. I will have to go to another country for a funeral, but there are no direct flights, so I'd have to take two flights there with a long lay-over and back again. I am also quite weary of airports for her because of the closed air circuit and the large amounts of people.

If she stayed at home she would be with her dad so hopefully she will feel happy and settled.

Hmmm, stupidly I had totally forgotten about my need to express. I used to express fine until 3 months but it's become more and more difficult since.

Oh dear, none of this is easy...

[lagrandissima]

Could you take her with you? If you're BFing, you'd only have to take nappies. I flew with DS1 at 4mths, and it wasn't too grim. At least if your flight is delayed, you've got the food on you!! And a little baby at a funeral is not a problem for most people - often cheers people up a bit at a sad time.

[TheProvincialLady]

I'd still take her if it was me. A good sling, a few clothes and some nappies would be all you'd need, especially if you co sleep or if someone can lend you a cot. But obviously it's your choice.

[Booboostoo]

The airport/airplane are what worry me, but perhaps I am being silly. She has started her vacs but is nowhere near finished and even if she only picked up a cold I would feel terribly guilty. Perhaps it's the best solution though.

[Jules125]

I left my 4 month old for 4 days with dad and MIL when I had to go away -- and this was much easier and I think much better for her that dragging her through airports - she was happy at home in familiar surrounding.

At 4 months, separation anxiety has not yet kicked in and mostly likely she'll be fine without you. But practice the formula and bottles for a while first.

It was tough for me though as I had to express (and dump) every 4-5 hours or so to stay comfortable.

She went back to EBF just fine as soon as I was back (and I'lm still BFing at nearly 10 months now).

[sc2987]

She's more likely to pick up a cold (or have it worse) if you and your milk are away from her! I would definitely take her.

[MigGril]

I'd take her, baby's that young aren't botherd about anything other then mum and milk. They don't care where they are as long as they have you. She's more likly to be unsetteld with you not there.

And don't worry about the bug's they all start picking things up sooner or latter and when you have a new baby with a preschooler or school age child they get everthing going from day one. doesn't seem to do them any harm.

[lagrandissima]

Plus, if she's breastfed, she's unlikely to pick up loads of serious bugs. As soon as you catch something and start producing antibodies, she'll have some immunity from the breastmilk. But if you do travel with her, have adequate medical insurance (only in case - not suggesting anything untoward would happen).