Possible week away at 6months and I don't want to stop bfing!

[japhrimel]

Having just been stressing about 1 day away from DD, I now have a far bigger issue!

I work self-employed and have just been offered a week's work in June, when DD will be 6 months old. I'd really like to accept it as we need the money and it's a great opportunity that could lead to lots of work in the future (when it'll be far easy to arrange childcare!), but I'm not prepared to give up breastfeeding for it. Having got this far with bfing, I'd like to carry on until DD is at least a year old so we don't have to move to formula.

The venue is 2 hours drive from my house - if there are no traffic issues - and it'll mean early starts and full days, so I don't think commuting is an option. I don't think it would even help with DD as I would have to leave before she wakes up and might not get back until after her bedtime.

I don't think taking her with me is at all feasible as DH can't get away from work and even if my mum or MIL could come, I can't imagine DD would be happy, away from home, without me during much of the day and without DH entirely. And as it would be so full-on during the days, I just couldn't help with her.

I could potentially build up enough of an ebm stash I think and MIL could look after DD at home, with DH in the evenings and first thing. But would I kill my supply being away for a week? I'd be able to pump, but I'm not confident I'd get time to pump as often as might be ideal. Plus I seem to find pumping when DD isn't around a bit harder these days.

Help! I'd really like to do this, but I do not want to stop breastfeeding.

Well, I cannot say for certain (as everyone is different), but I think (I've only had 1 child) even some expressing while you're away will help keep supply going. So start expressing now for supply while you're gone (which can be combined with some weaning foods in June -so you might not need as much as you think)
You might find when you get back you go through some engorging again, but I really think it's unlikely you will have lost your supply in one week if you've been breastfeeding exclusively. (My dd quit bf at 16m and I was still lactating until 20months)

oooh no one else has any ideas for you??? surely someone must!

Does your DD still feed at night? You could consider coming back home each night so that she can breastfeed from the source at night - reverse cycling they call it - but of course then you would be knackered for work

ATM she sleeps through & I don't want to ruin that.

I think I've come to the conclusion that actually I wouldn't be happy leaving her for a week anyway. And as the venue is so far away, commuting probably wouldn't be possible. Plus I'd need to be able to focus so couldn't do the job whilst looking after her.

I'm going to check that I'd need to be in site all day, but if so I think it's just not feasible with a baby.