can you take a break of a few days from breastfeeding once the baby is a bit older?

[kveta]

I'm probably going to have to go abroad for work next April when DS will be 18 months, and as we're just buying a house, can't really afford for DH and DS to accompany me (which was the original plan). I don't really want to wean DS - was hoping that if he hasn't weaned himself, I'd keep going at least until he's 2. the conference is 5 days in total - I think I'd have to leave on the thursday pm, and get back the following wednesday am, so 6 nights :(

I just wanted to know, has anyone else done this? I could express whilst I'm there and dump it, that's not a problem - I'm more worried about him refusing to feed or forgetting how to when I get back. If he does wean then, whilst I'd be upset, it wouldn't be the end of the world, but DH and I would like to keep him bfed for as long as he and I like it.

He's feeding 3-4 times/24 hours at the moment, but is showing no signs that he plans to self wean anytime soon!

hmm not sure. I definitely left DS for a night at a time at this age but no longer. Would be interested in the answer.

you should be ok i should think

i stopped feeding ds when he was about 14 months old, he is nearly 18 months and i still have some milk, in that if i wanted to ressurect my supply for whatever reason i reckon i could

and this is after 4 months of no bf!

you should be fine for a few days i should think

yes, but after 5 days will her DS go back to it OK??

I went away a couple of times with work for a whole week when DS was 14-18 months old and picked up breastfeeding again with no problems (I did get uncomfortably engorged and need to express for that).

i didn't have some insane oversupply whilst still bf either, just enough iyswim

i was not engorged when i stopped, nor when i stopped feeding dd at 18 months

i would think your supply would cope, the only thing is that you might find after 6 nights the milk is there, but he may not want it

xpost with spb

i think your ds not wanting the breast is a possibility

i have heard of babies going back to bf after an absence (as in proflatyon's case)

i think you need to be prepared for all eventualities tbh

oh, it's good to know someone else has done this proflayton - I'll just have to take my chances I suppose! I've just found out there's another conference I'm meant to attned that week back in the UK, but may have to suggest someone else from the group goes.

thanks for the responses, was just curious, and DH said "well why not ask the oracle?" so I have now :o

Just to add - I have a friend who did this with her 18m DS, away 5 nights in total and her DS just picked up where they left off. She pumped morning and night too.... meant she could actually have several drinks a night for the first time in a v v long time enjoy.

my friends 18 month old has just returned to BF after an 11 day strike, and she didn't express at all (other than when she was in agony at the start). She had stopped offering, thinking that was that. However, HE had called the shots on this one, whereas YOU are planning to call the shots with yours, IYSWIM.....

I'm already excited about having a full night's sleep :o

good to hear it's not just wishful thinking on my part that he'll keep bfing!

I agree - I think physically it would be possible, but practically the child may get used to doing without it - so then you have the dilemma of whether you offer or wait till they ask.

I would mentally prepare yourself for stopping - remember what it feels like, maybe even take photos - so that you can cope if they do decide to stop. I am in the process of DS self-weaning age 2 at present - he has stopped for a few days but then started up again, and when I was confronted with an abrupt stop (not a refusal, just not a request) I found it quite difficult emotionally as I had not 'said goodbye' to my breastfed baby.

Can I add to those suggesting you prepare yourself for stopping? It may work out, as it has for others, but it is valuable to have at least thought about "the end".

My DD2 has stopped within the last month (at 15 months). I wasn't away, but working on something insane so was only home about 3 evenings a week. She was having bf before bed and occasionally in the night. So DH gave her cows milk in a bottle at bedtime to make up for missing the BF. My work has now calmed down, but DD2 far prefers the bottle of cows milk. Also my milk has gone, which I blame on the lack of sleep and general worry of this work thing as well as not BF.

Anyway, point is I had also not said goodbye to breastfeeding her. And, like you might, I feel I have brought this on rather than DD2 calling it. That's quite hard to think about. In some ways I'm ok with it - letting hair down with a few drinks, I can take some medication I haven't been able to take for 3 years now. But it is also goodbye to something that was so intense and a key part of our relationship - so having that happen abruptly is quite hard.