Two day break from breastfeeding - can I keep going afterwards?

[DaisyFranceLynch]

I'm currently breastfeeding my 17 month old son three times a day - first thing in the morning, when I get home from work, and at bedtime (he sleeps about ten or eleven hours most nights, so no overnight feeding).

Next week I have to go away for two days (one night) with work, and I will get back too late to feed him before bed on the second night. So I will be missing five feeds in a row. I've never spent a night away from him before, and although I've been out for the evening a few times I've always been there to feed him in the morning.

I'm a bit worried that this will:

A) Upset him (he will have his dad and grandparents around, but usually gets a bit confused if I don't come home at my usual time)

B) Affect breastfeeding, either by weaning him off the breast or reducing my supply (I never got very much milk from pumping and suspect I'd get even less now, so not sure if pumping to maintain supply would work). I'd like to keep going until he self-weans and would hate a work trip to unexpectedly end things.

[FurryTurnip]

You should be fine. From my experience and with friends etc, your little one should easily understand that mummy isn't here and will accept milk from someone else.

Two days should also be ok for your supply- if you can even just hand express a bit off when you get a chance that will help, and you might also need to !

your DS should settle back fine to BFinf when you return, and after a couple of feeds your supply should be back up to normal level.

Just try not to worry, he will fine, enjoy the peace!

[DaisyFranceLynch]

Thanks so much FurryTurnip. That's reassuring.

Will bring a hand pump with me just in case, and look forward to getting a (relative) lie-in!